The Appletini—or, as many know it, the Sour Apple Martini—is a true pop culture icon. It became one of the defining cocktails of the bar renaissance in the 1990s and 2000s. Its bold, vivid green—almost neon—look and sweet-tart flavor made it instantly recognizable. It quickly won over anyone looking for something playful, fruity, easy to drink, and visually striking. This cocktail makes no secret of its desire to entertain. Even so, it still manages to feel surprisingly refreshing.
Story
It all started on July 4, 1996, at a West Hollywood restaurant called Lola’s, when Loren “Lola” Dunsworth, the owner, was approached by a representative from the then-new Ketel One vodka brand with the idea of creating an entirely new cocktail. This happened at a time when the word “Martini” was being attached to all kinds of colorful, flavored drinks. Although purists often questioned whether it deserved the “Martini” name, the Appletini still built a devoted following of its own. Its popularity later got an extra boost from films and TV shows such as Scrubs and The Social Network.
Ingredients
1 ⅓ oz (40 ml) vodka
⅔ oz (20 ml) sour apple liqueur (e.g., De Kuyper Sour Apple, Bols Green Apple)
⅔ oz (20 ml) green apple juice (preferably Granny Smith)
⅙ oz (5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
⅙ oz (5 ml) simple syrup
How to Make an Appletini Cocktail
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with plenty of ice, then shake well until the drink is thoroughly chilled and the flavors are evenly combined. Strain gently into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serving and Garnish
The Appletini is served in a classic cocktail or martini glass, without ice. For garnish, you can use one or two thin slices of green apple on a cocktail pick, though a cocktail cherry is also a common finishing touch. Its playful look practically calls for a garnish with a little flair.
Calorie Content
One serving of Appletini contains approximately 170–180 calories, depending on the type of liqueur used and the amount of simple syrup added.