Apples make a fantastic garnish for cocktails. Their sweetness and tartness can complement a wide variety of drinks, from classic cocktails like the Appletini to fun seasonal concoctions perfect for autumn. Apple garnishes are also visually appealing, adding a pop of color and whimsy to cocktails.
When choosing apples for garnishing drinks, go for crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Stay away from mealy apples like Red Delicious. The firm texture of crisp apples makes neat cuts and slices that hold their shape better. Tart apples also help cut through sweet ingredients and provide balance.
Sliced apples, apple fans, and apple wedges are all easy ways to garnish cocktails with apples. Making uniform, thin slices shows off the apple’s color and shape. Fanning sliced apples creates a fun, rippled effect. And apple wedges add bursts of fresh apple flavor when squeezed or dropped into drinks.
Beyond looks, apple garnishes can also enhance the flavor profile of cocktails. The fruit’s sweet-tart juice pairs nicely with spirits like rum, whisky, vodka, gin, and brandy. Apples also contain compounds that complement warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice frequently used in fall and winter drinks.
So whether you’re throwing a fancy cocktail party or just want to spice up your at-home happy hour routine, read on to learn techniques for making decorative apple garnishes as well as recipe ideas for delicious apple cocktails.
What types of apples work best for garnishing drinks?
When selecting apples to garnish cocktails, prioritize varieties that are:
Crisp and firm: Apples with a good crunch make cleaner cuts and hold their shape better once sliced. Mealy, soft apples will fall apart when cut or dropped into drinks.
Tart: More acidic apples help provide balance next to sweet ingredients like liqueurs and simple syrups. Their tangy flavor also cuts through the richness of ingredients like cream or chocolate.
Vibrantly colored: Deep reds, greens, yellows, and bicolored apples make for the prettiest garnishes. More colorful apples also signal higher antioxidant content.
With those criteria in mind, the best varieties of apples for garnishing cocktails include:
- Granny Smith: A classic tart, crisp green apple perfect for cutting thin slices or wedges.
- Honeycrisp: Sweet yet tart, these apples hold their shape nicely when sliced or fanned.
- Fuji: Firm and juicy, these apples have a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
- Jazz: A pretty bicolored red-and-yellow apple that adds a pop of color.
- Pink Lady: Sweet-tart and firm pink apples that pair nicely with floral cocktails.
- Northern Spy: An old heirloom variety known for its tart flavor and firm texture.
Stay away from softer, mealier varieties like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh for garnishes. While delicious for eating, these apples will fall apart when cut and add little flavor.
How to cut apples for garnishing drinks
Cutting neat, uniform slices, wedges, and apple fans takes some skill. Follow these tips for prepping apples for perfect cocktail garnishes every time:
Apple Slices
Thin apple slices make for dainty garnishes. They show off the apple’s color and shape. Use them to edge glasses or float them on the surface of drinks.
To slice apples:
- Wash and dry the apple thoroughly. Leave the skin on for presentation.
- Trim off any stems or blemishes.
- Slice the apple vertically from top to bottom into very thin rounds. Aim for 1⁄8 inch thickness or less.
- Use a very sharp knife and slice slowly to make the roundest, most uniform cuts possible.
- Submerge slices in acidulated water (water with lemon juice or citric acid added) to prevent browning.
- Pat dry before using to garnish drinks.
Apple Wedges
Wedges add little bursts of apple flavor when squeezed over drinks. They’re also used as garnishes on cocktail rims.
To make apple wedges:
- Cut the apple in half vertically from stem to bottom.
- Lay each half flat-side down and slice into 1⁄2 inch wedges, cutting from the outside edge toward the core.
- Trim away the core and seeds.
- Submerge wedges in acidulated water to prevent browning until ready to use.
Apple Fans
Fanning apple slices creates a fun rippled effect. Make fans for floating across drinks or stacking on skewers.
Here’s how to fan apple slices:
- Start by cutting very thin, round apple slices as described above.
- Overlap slices slightly, alternating the high and low sides.
- Press gently in the center to fan slices out while keeping their overlap intact.
- Use toothpicks to hold fanned slices together if needed.
Creative ways to garnish drinks with apples
Beyond basic slices, wedges, and fans, get creative with how you incorporate apples into cocktail presentation. Consider these unique options:
- Apple swans: Folk art style carved apples
- Candy apple rims: Rim glasses with caramel then coat in chopped apples
- Dehydrated apple slices: For crisp, fruit-leather-like garnishes
- Apple chips: Fry paper-thin slices into chips
- Apple balls: Use an apple corer on whole apples for round balls
- Apple peels: Spiral peel long strips for garnishes
Apples also pair perfectly with lots of other ingredients besides cocktails. Consider garnishing drinks with things like:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Rosemary sprigs
- Ginger slices
- Sprigs of mint or basil
The options are endless for decorating cocktails using fresh apples and spice flavors evocative of fall and early winter.
What cocktails pair well with apple garnishes?
Apples work with a wide variety of liquors and cocktail styles. Their versatility comes from complementary flavors as well as seasonal associations.
Here are some of the most popular cocktails that pair nicely with apple garnishes:
Whisky and Bourbon Drinks
The caramel, vanilla, and spice notes in whiskies and bourbons pair deliciously with apples. Favorites include:
- Old Fashioned
- Manhattan
- Whisky Sour
- Boulevardier
- Kentucky Mule
- Jack and Apple
Garnish these cocktails with apple fans, balls, wedges, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
Gin Drinks
Dry gin and apple juice are a classic combination. Some tasty gin cocktails to garnish with apples include:
- Gin Fizz
- Tom Collins
- Southside
- Gimlet
- Clover Club
Apple slices and rosemary sprigs make beautiful garnishes here.
Vodka Drinks
The neutral taste of vodka allows apples to take center stage. Vodka cocktails to try:
- Appletini
- Caramel Apple Martini
- Vodka and Apple Cider
- Vodka Sour
Garnish with apple fans, balls, chips, and dehydrated apple slices.
Rum Drinks
Spiced rums and apple juices or ciders are a perfect fall flavor match. Ideas:
- Dark ‘n Stormy
- Rum Punch
- Apple Cider Sangria
Apple wedges, stars anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves amp up the autumnal appeal.
Brandy and Apple Liqueur Cocktails
Finally, apple brandies and schnapps provide big apple taste. Try:
- Apple Brandy Old Fashioned
- Apple Pie Cocktail
- Hot Buttered Apple Toddy
Garnish with apple slices, raisins, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg.
5 step-by-step apple cocktail recipes
To help you get started making your own apple-garnished cocktail creations, here are 5 festive recipes along with step-by-step instructions:
Apple Cider Sangria
This autumnal sangria is easy to make in big batches for parties. The apple cider and brandy provide plenty of apple flavor. Garnish with apple slices for color and added taste.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle apple cider
- 1 cup apple brandy
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 cup club soda
Instructions
- Combine apple cider, brandy, orange, apple, lemon, lime, honey, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a large pitcher. Stir well.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to blend.
- Before serving, add club soda and stir gently.
- Pour sangria over ice into glass tumblers or wine glasses.
- Garnish each glass with additional apple and orange slices.
Caramel Apple Martini
This grown-up caramel apple treat features salted caramel vodka and apple cider. Garnish with an apple slice.
Ingredients
- 2 oz salted caramel vodka
- 1 oz apple cider
- 1⁄2 oz caramel sauce
- 1 thin apple slice
Instructions
- Pour vodka and apple cider into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass coated along the rim with caramel sauce.
- Garnish with a thin apple slice hooked over the glass rim.
- Serve immediately.
Whiskey Apple Cider
For an easy whiskey apple cocktail, combine bourbon and cider. Garnish with apple wedges.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz apple cider
- 1 apple wedge
- 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour in bourbon and apple cider.
- Garnish with an apple wedge hooked on the glass rim.
- Add a dash or two of bitters over the top if desired.
Sparkling Apple Cocktail
This bubbly cocktail combines gin, apple juice, lemon, and apple garnish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz apple juice
- 1⁄2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
- Sparkling wine or club soda
- Thinly sliced apple
Instructions
- Add gin, apple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a champagne flute or wine glass. Top with sparkling wine or club soda.
- Garnish with a few thin apple slices hooked over the rim.
Apple Brandy Old Fashioned
This autumn twist on an old fashioned highlights apple brandy and bitters.
Ingredients
- 2 oz apple brandy
- 1⁄4 oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 orange twist
- 1 cocktail cherry
Instructions
- Add apple brandy, simple syrup, and bitters to a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently to incorporate.
- Express oils from an orange twist over the top and drop into the glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Festive apple garnish ideas
Apples aren’t just for summery apple martinis and sangria. They make fantastic garnishes for holiday cocktails too.
Around Christmas, garnish drinks with:
- Apple slices + cranberries + cinnamon sticks
- Apple wedges + star anise + cloves
- Fanned apple slices + pomegranate arils
- Thin apple slices + rosemary
For New Year’s Eve, try:
- Dehydrated apple wheels + gold dust
- Apple balls + raspberries on a skewer
- Fanned apple slices + edible glitter
- Spiral cut apple peels
On Valentine’s day, go for:
- Thin apple slices + rose petals
- Apple slices + raspberries + mint leaves
- Candy apple rim + red apple wedge
Let apples inspire you year round when creating and garnishing seasonal cocktails. Their versatility, flavors, colors, and shapes work for any holiday or occasion.
Conclusion
With so many varieties, cuts, and preparation methods, apples offer endless possibilities for decorating and enhancing cocktails. Their bright colors, shapes, sweet-tart flavors, and autumnal appeal allow them to work with a wide range of liquors and styles of drinks. Spend time practicing neat, uniform slicing techniques and get creative with fanning, skewers, and more elaborate fruit carvings. Apples require little manipulation to transform drinks into festive, seasonal delights.