Candy Apple Cocktail

candy apple meet appletini...

Who ever thought that candying an apple would be a good idea? How do you eat such a thing? They are really pretty and red, but nearly impossible to eat. If you cut one up to eat it, that takes the fun out of having something on a stick. If you try to bite into it, you are going to break a tooth. I guess we are supposed to lick them until the candy coating is gone and then eat the apple in the middle. Or, perhaps they are just for looks? Anyway I think about this, none appeal to me...so, I've made a drink out of the concept instead.

Hello Candy Apple Cocktail! For this drink I candy the rim of a martini glass with a cinnamon candy and fill with a simple appletini cocktail. While you still can't easily eat the candy rim, it does provide a nice spice to each sip you take. Make this drink for fun...perhaps on a girl's night...here's how...

Ingredients - Makes 4 Cocktails
Apple Infused Vodka
2 Small Red Apples
12 oz. Vodka, such as Rain

Candy Apple Rim
1/2C Granulated Sugar
1/4C Light Corn Syrup
2T Hot Water
2T Red Cinnamon Candies, such as Red Hots

Cocktail
12 oz. Apple Infused Vodka
4 oz. Prepared Sweet & Sour Mix
Ground Cinnamon

Directions

Begin by making the apple infused vodka 3-4 days before serving: Core and cut the apples into slices. Fit them into a mason/canning jar (16oz or larger) and cover them with the vodka. Store in a dark cool place and allow the vodka to infuse.

On the day you plan to serve these, make the candy apple rim: Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and hot water in a medium sauce pan fitted with a candy thermometer over med-high heat. Stir until the sugar is incorporated, but not dissolved. Continue to cook, without stirring, until the mixture reaches 250 degrees.

Once the candy is at 250 degrees add the cinnamon candies and stir just until incorporated. Continue to cook the mixture until it is just shy of the "Hard Crack" stage, about 300 degrees. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth.

Immediately dress the martini glasses: Dip the rim of one glass into the candy and spin around so that the entire top is coated. Allow the excess to drip off and then invert and allow the candy to harden. Try to move quickly during this process as the candy will begin to harden. NOTE: to remove candy from the martini glasses/sauce pan after you are finished just run hot water over it...it will come off, I promise.

Finally, make the cocktails 2 at a time: In an ice filled shaker add 6oz. apple infused vodka and 2oz. sweet and sour mix. Shake until everything is well chilled. Strain into 2 candy rimmed cocktail glasses and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Make the 2 other drinks and CHEERS!