Apple Pie Shot

An Apple Pie Shot is a vodka shot made with Absolut Vanilia, fresh apple juice, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, shaken with ice and fine strained into a shot glass. Served with a slice of green apple dusted with cinnamon.

“This is a classic flavor combination – apple, vanilla, cinnamon – and it really does bring the flavors of apple pie together,” says Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

He’s right. Rich vanilla notes from Absolut Vanilia, tart apple juice, a sharp edge of lemon and the unmistakable warmth of cinnamon from the garnish – every element of apple pie, concentrated into a single shot.

Not much is known about the Apple Pie Shot’s origins, but it’s believed to have emerged in the U.S. during the 2000s – rooted in a much older tradition.

“Apple pie” style drinks have been a staple in Appalachia for decades – a vast 206,000-square-mile region in the Eastern U.S. centered around the Appalachian Mountains.

The concept of an “apple pie” alcoholic drink is believed to be rooted in Appalachian moonshine traditions, where it’s said that un-aged white whiskey was mixed with apple cider, sugar and cinnamon to make the spirit more palatable.

The Apple Pie Shot is easy to make – here’s how to make it even better.

• Double strain
  Use a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer together to get a clean, smooth shot – no ice shards, no pulp, nothing that shouldn’t be there. Here’s how to double strain and why it matters.
• Make your own juice
  Skip the bottled stuff. Store-bought juice often contains added sugar and other additives – fresh juice is just fruit, nothing else. Therefore, we highly recommend using freshly made lemon juice and apple juice.For the lemon juice, grab a citrus press and lemons and get squeezing. For apple juice, you’ll need a juicer or blender and a fine mesh strainer. Here’s how to juice fruits for your cocktails.
• Chill your shot glasses
  Place your shot glasses in the freezer before the party starts. A cold glass keeps the shot colder for longer and looks better too.

• Apple Pie Shot with vodka, whiskey and cream
  The most common variation combines vanilla-flavored vodka, cinnamon-flavored whiskey, apple cider and whipped cream, served in a whiskey or brandy glass with a cinnamon stick.To make it, mix 60ml apple cider, 15ml vanilla-flavored vodka and 15ml cinnamon-flavored whiskey, shake with ice and fine strain into the glass. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
• Cinnamon simple syrup
  There’s something undeniable about the combination of apple and cinnamon. Swap the simple syrup for cinnamon simple syrup by following our simple syrup recipe and adding a couple of cinnamon sticks to the sugar and water mixture.
• Substitute Absolut Vanilia for Absolut Vodka
  Swap Absolut Vanilia for original Absolut Vodka and the shot moves closer in character to an Appletini – sharper, less sweet and without the vanilla depth.

The Apple Pie Shot deserves a finish that matches its character.

• Glassware
  Serve in a chilled shot glass rimmed with cinnamon – wet the rim with a lemon wedge and dip into cinnamon before you pour. For something a little sweeter, use cinnamon sugar instead. Either way, prepare the glasses before you make the drink.
• Apple slice garnish
  Place an apple wedge along the rim of each shot glass. Pink Lady apples bring a sweet-tart profile that complements the shot beautifully. Granny Smith apples work well if you prefer something sharper and more acidic.
• Torch the apple slice
  For an extra touch, use a kitchen torch to caramelize the edges of the apple slice – it adds a rustic finish and a subtle caramel note to each sip. As always, exercise caution when using a torch near alcohol.