Easy apple pie cocktail with fireball

Craving an easy fall cocktail that tastes like warm apple pie, without turning on the oven? This one is quick, cozy, and big on cinnamon spice. Grab a shaker, and let’s make a bar-quality drink in five minutes. If you try it, rate it or tell me your twist in the comments so others can riff with you.

Why you’ll love it

• Tastes like apple pie
• Uses pantry ingredients
• Done in 5 minutes, perfect for last-minute guests
• Simple to batch for parties (tips below!)

Before you start

• Chill the glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. A cold glass keeps the rim in place and the drink colder.
• Prep the rim mix ahead. Stir brown sugar and cinnamon together, then store airtight for up to a month.
• Use hard, fresh ice for better chill and clean flavor.

Serves 1, prep 5 minutes

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 1/2 oz apple juice, about 105 ml (if you want, you can use apple cider instead – it gives deeper flavor)
• 1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka, about 45 ml
• 1 oz Fireball or another cinnamon whiskey, about 30 ml
• Ice
• Apple slices and a cinnamon stick, for garnish

Pro tip
If you only have plain vodka, add 1 to 2 drops vanilla extract or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp vanilla syrup.

Step 1: rim the glass like a pro

1. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon on a small plate.
2. Run a lemon or orange wedge around the rim (apple juice works too) then dip into the cinnamon sugar.
3. For balance, you can rim only half the glass so each sip can be sweet or clean.

Troubleshooting
If the rim slides off, the glass was warm or wet. Dry it well, re-rim, then chill the glass for 2 minutes before pouring.

Step 2: shake the cocktail

1. Fill a cocktail shaker three quarters full with ice.
2. Add apple juice, vanilla vodka, and Fireball.
3. Shake for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is very cold.
4. Double strain into your rimmed, chilled glass. Use a fine strainer to catch ice shards and spice flecks.

Make it yours

• If it’s too sweet, add 1/4 oz lemon juice or 2 to 3 dashes of aromatic bitters.
• If you want it to be more cinnamon-y, add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the shaker, then double strain. You can also add another 1/4 oz of the cinnamon whiskey.
• If it’s too strong, add 1/2 to 1 oz more apple juice and shake again.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

• Fan a few thin apple slices on the rim.
• Warm a cinnamon stick for 2 to 3 seconds with a lighter, then set it in the drink for a toasty aroma.
• Optionally, express a strip of orange peel over the top for a bright lift.

Batch it for a party

Makes 8 drinks

• 3 1/2 cups (840 ml) apple juice or cider
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) vanilla vodka
• 1 cup (240 ml) Fireball

Stir everything in a pitcher, then chill at least 4 hours. To serve, stir with ice to chill and dilute slightly, strain into chilled, rimmed glasses, garnish, and enjoy. Taste before serving, add a splash of lemon, bitters, or a little more juice to match your crowd’s sweetness preference.

Easy variations

• Caramel apple
  Add 1/4 oz caramel syrup to the shaker, or drizzle a thin caramel rim before the cinnamon sugar.
• Maple cinnamon
  Swap 1/4 oz of the apple juice for pure maple syrup, add a dash of Angostura bitters.
• Chai spiced
  Add 1/2 oz chilled chai concentrate, reduce apple juice by the same amount.

Mocktail version

• 3 1/2 oz, 105 ml, apple juice or cider
• 1/2 oz vanilla syrup, or 1 to 2 drops vanilla extract
• 1/4 to 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup, to taste

Shake hard with ice, double strain, garnish with apple and a cinnamon stick.