October 2, 2013

Green Apple Ginger Martini Recipe

A fall inspired cocktail with the crisp and juicy flavors of green apples and the spiciness of fresh ginger.

James Bond would probably cringe at the thought of fruit in his signature cocktail but I admit I like the idea.

No other fictional character has probably ever created as many martini drinkers in the world or sparked as much debate over what constitutes a “real” martini.

Purists will tell you that it isn’t a martini unless you’re using gin and vermouth, and whatever you do, to not shake it but rather to stir it so as not to “bruise” the gin. On the other end of the spectrum vodka martini fans want theirs bone-dry with just a “mist” of vermouth at most and always shaken and served ice-cold. And then there are all the unconventional fruit-based martinis that have been winning over bar-goers for the past two decades.

While there may be little about these trendy concoctions that resemble a traditional martini they are fun and tasty and clearly here to stay and I’m okay with that. I think the classics and the newcomers can co-exist peacefully, don’t you?

Maybe it’s the appeal of drinking out of the long-stemmed glass or the showy way some are prepared but there’s just something fun and festive about ordering a martini of any kind. My only quibble is the plethora of artificially flavored alcohols masquerading as natural fruit flavors in cocktails. I’d like some actual fruit in my fruity drink please!

So with that in mind I set out to give the ever popular apple martini a bit of a makeover. Out went the neon green and in came tart green apple juice and a bit of lime for freshness and acidity. To the mix I added a quick homemade ginger infused vodka for a clean, crisp flavor with a bit of heat to it. The result was a seasonal cocktail with spiciness, bright acidity and the subtle sweetness of real fresh fruit; light and refreshing and entirely sippable as we head into the fall and winter seasons.

What’s your favorite cocktail?
PS: Stay tuned for a Q&A and book giveaway with a savory twist on cocktails with author Greg Henry coming up soon!

Serves Serves 2

Green Apple Ginger Martini | A Real Food Seasonal Apple Cocktail

A seasonal cocktail with spiciness, bright acidity and the subtle sweetness of real fresh fruit; light and refreshing and entirely sippable as we head into the fall and winter seasons.

2 hrPrep Time

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Ingredients

For Two Green Apple Ginger Martini Cocktails:

4 oz/120ml ginger infused vodka (recipe below)
4 oz/120ml fresh green apple lime juice (recipe below)
1 Tablespoon/15ml maple or honey simple syrup (made by mixing equal parts of maple syrup or honey with filtered water until fully dissolved)
Crushed ice

For the Ginger Infused Vodka:

1/2 cup/4oz//120ml quality vodka
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

For the Green Apple and Lime Juice:

1 large tart green apple, cored and cut into slices (ex. granny smith)
¼ cup/60ml filtered water
The juice of 1 large or 2 small limes
Apple slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Make the Ginger Infused Vodka:

Place the vodka in a re-sealable jar along with the grated ginger and seal. Shake gently and set aside for two or more hours until infused. (The longer you let the vodka sit with the ginger the stronger the flavor will be.) Strain pressing on solids to extract all the liquid and set aside.
Place cocktail glasses in the freezer to chill.

Make the Green Apple and Lime Juice:

Add the apple slices to a high speed blender along with the water and lime juice and blend on high until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer pressing on the pulp to get all of the juice and set aside. (If you have a juicer run the apple through and then add the freshly squeezed lime juice to it and omit the water.)

Make the Green Apple Ginger Martini:

Add the apple and lime juice, the vodka and the maple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously until the shaker turns frosty.
Strain into the chilled glasses. Garnish with the reserved apple slices if desired.

Notes

*I prefer to use a non-grain based vodka like Ciroc (made from grapes) or Chopin Black Label (made from potatoes).

https://gourmandeinthekitchen.com/green-apple-ginger-martini-recipe/

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