Toast fall with a crisp Cinnamon Apple Martini made with vodka infused with Red Hots candies. This sweet, cinnamon apple cocktail is also a festive choice for holiday parties or Valentine’s Day.
If you love Hot Tamales or Red Hots candies, join me at the bar for a Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Martini.
I originally shared this recipe using Red Wolf Cinnamon Apple Vodka from Tobacco Road Distillers, but it seems the company no longer produces this delicious vodka.
But no worries because you can make Red Hots infused vodka at home in no time. No need to postpone cocktail time, because this infusion is ready in minutes!
The bright red pretty infused vodka would make a wonderful homemade holiday gift. And you’ll need it to make these cinnamon apple cider slushies, an apple cider Moscow mule or an apple cider mimosa for brunch.
Do you love apple cider? Be sure to try these other delicious Apple Cider Drinks. So many great options to serve for the fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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How to Make Infused Vodka
Begin by lightly crushing Red Hots candies in a zippered bag using a wooden cocktail mallet. Next, transfer the candy to food processor and pulse to a fine powder.
Place the powdered candies into a mason jar and top with inexpensive, unflavored vodka. (See the recipe below for the exact ingredients.)
Cap the jar and shake to blend. Allow to sit until the powdered candy dissolves. You can leave it for a few hours, if you like.
Use a fine mesh strainer to strain any solids from the infused vodka, then transfer to a glass bottle for use.
Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Martini
I love this cinnamon apple martini because it tastes like a liquid version of Hot Tamales candies (my favorite!) with an apple twist. (OK, technically, I guess it tastes like Red Hots!)
I was first introduced to this pretty cocktail on a trip to the North Carolina mountains. While we were there, my husband and I discovered a quiet wine bar/cocktail lounge. They had a cinnamon apple martini on the menu. I may have ordered a couple.
Afterwards, I was on a quest to recreate it at home.
After a little experimenting, I finally cracked the code. And it’s so simple to make, even accounting for the homemade vodka infusion.
While cinnamon apple is a popular fall combination, you don’t have to limit your enjoyment of this cocktail to autumn. Make up a batch for your Christmas party or save it for New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day. (It is red hot, after all!)
How to Make a Cinnamon Apple Martini
To make the cinnamon apple martini, combine the 1 1/2 parts infused vodka, 1 1/2 parts apple vodka and 1/2 parts triple sec in a cocktail shaker over ice. Add a splash of cran-apple juice, shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
You can rim the glass with pink or red sugar. Or leave the rim plain and float an apple slice and a cinnamon stick on the top of the drink.
More Cocktail Ideas
Looking for more cocktail ideas for fall and winter? Try one of these libations.
- Cinnamon Apple Cider Slushie
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Spiked Chai Tea Latte
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- 30 Apple Cider Drinks for the Holidays
- 14 Easy Vanilla Vodka Cocktails
Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Martini
Ingredients
For the Infused Vodka
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 cup Red Hots candies crushed to a powder
For the Martini
- 1.5 ounces Red Hots infused vodka
- 1.5 ounces apple vodka
- 1/2 ounce Triple Sec
- Splash Cran-Apple juice
- Pink or red sugar optional
Instructions
To Make the Infused Vodka
- Pour Red Hots candies into a bag and crush lightly. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until the candies become a fine powder.
- Place powdered candies into a mason jar and top with 2 cups of plain vodka.
- Put the lid on the jar and shake to blend. Allow to sit until the powdered candy dissolves.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to strain any solids from the infused vodka.
To Make the Martini
- Pour the infused vodka, the apple vodka and the triple sec in a cocktail shaker over ice. Add a splash of cran-apple juice.
- Shake to mix.
- Strain into a martini glass rimmed with pink or red sugar.
- Garnish with an apple slice or apple peel.
Pin This! Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Martini
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads
Amy, now this is my kind of drink! Love sour apple martinis so I’m sure I’d love this as well! Too bad the ABC stores are closed tomorrow or I’d be all over this! Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Atta Girl Amy
Crazy blue laws! You can’t even get wine in SC on Sundays can you? I seem to remember that from when I lived there right after college.
And next blogging conference, you and I are having cocktails together, and we’re taking Leo dancing.
Courtenay
Oh my goodness! Yes please! Well, not right now, but this baby has got to be born SOMEtime and then I’ll be all over this! Pinning for later!!
Atta Girl Amy
As soon as that baby is born, I’ll mix you up one. 🙂
laura
Oh my. Looks like a “hot” cocktail. Yum. Happy thanksgiving.
kirby carespodi
Okay…since you are jumping on the alcohol bandwagon, I’m going to have to counter that move by making a wreath!