Description
Candy apple shots bring nostalgic carnival magic into grown-up cocktail form. Smooth whiskey and caramel blend with crisp apple flavors, creating a playful drink you’ll want to sip and savor all evening long.
Ingredients
Scale
Alcohol Base:
- 1 ounce (30 milliliters) sour apple liqueur (e.g., DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker)
- 1 ounce (30 milliliters) cinnamon schnapps (e.g., Goldschlager or Fireball for extra warmth)
- 0.5 ounce (15 milliliters) caramel vodka (or butterscotch schnapps)
Mixers and Additional Ingredients:
- 0.5 ounce (15 milliliters) cranberry juice (for color and tartness)
- Ice (for shaking)
Garnish and Rim:
- Caramel sauce (for rimming)
- Red sugar or crushed cinnamon candies (for the rim)
- Apple slice or cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare shot glasses by generously coating the rims with sticky caramel, then immediately roll edges into vibrant crimson sugar or finely crushed cinnamon candy fragments for a festive, textured border.
- Gather a cocktail shaker and fill with several ice cubes to create a frosty environment for mixing the spirited concoction.
- Pour sour apple liqueur, warming cinnamon schnapps, rich caramel vodka, and tangy cranberry juice into the chilled shaker.
- Vigorously shake the mixture for approximately 10-15 seconds, ensuring all liquid components become thoroughly blended and dramatically cooled.
- Delicately strain the chilled liquid into the carefully prepared shot glasses, allowing the vibrant mixture to settle smoothly against the caramel-kissed rim.
- Elevate the presentation by adding a slender apple slice balanced on the glass edge or inserting a fragrant cinnamon stick as an elegant garnish.
- Invite guests to savor the complex flavor profile – a harmonious dance of sweet, tart, and spicy notes that tantalize the palate in one spirited gulp.
Notes
- Customize the rim sugar by mixing regular sugar with crushed cinnamon candies for a more intense flavor profile.
- Chill shot glasses beforehand to keep the drink colder and enhance the overall refreshing experience.
- For a non-alcoholic version, swap alcoholic ingredients with apple juice, cinnamon syrup, and cranberry juice concentrate.
- Prep garnishes in advance by cutting apple slices thinly and keeping them in lemon water to prevent browning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg