Homemade Spiced Apple Liqueur Recipe
With warm spices and a sweet apple flavor, this homemade apple liqueur recipe is the perfect way to warm up on a cool night!
I absolutely love infusing different ingredients together and routinely have vodka on hand to make vanilla extract, blackberry vodka, and more.
Since it’s apple season, this is the perfect time to make this warm, sweet-and-spicy seasonal spirit. The combination of real apple flavor with whole spices makes it absolutely delicious!
What is spiced apple liqueur?
Apple liqueur is made by infusing apples, sugar, and spices in vodka for several weeks. As it sits, the flavors from the apples move to the vodka where they mingle with the rich brown sugar and infused spices. Honestly, it tastes like apple pie (but with a kick)!
What you’ll love about this spiced apple liqueur recipe:
Equipment
To make your own homemade liqueur, you just need a few simple tools you probably already have:
- Cutting board and knife
- Quart mason jar (2)
- Canning funnel (optional)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Small bottles (for gifting or storage)
Ingredients
- Fresh apple: Choose a fully fresh apple of your favorite variety. I used super sweet first-of-the-season Gala apples.
- Brown sugar: Unlike white sugar, brown sugar adds an extra richness and caramel-like flavor.
- Vodka: I use regular vodka from Costco to keep my extracts and infusions affordable. Feel free to use organic vodka or your favorite brand.
- Warm spices: Add a Ceylon cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and a few grates of fresh nutmeg.
How to Make Apple Pie Vodka
- Combine sugar, apple, vodka, and spices in a jar. Close and shake well.
- Store the jar in a dry, cool place. Shake daily for at least one week.
- Allow the mixture to steep for an additional 2-4 weeks or until it has a strong apple flavor.
- Strain out the apples and spices and add the mixture to a fresh jar.
- Serve and enjoy!
Storing
Store your homemade apple liqueur in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or bar cabinet. Since the liqueur is so high in alcohol, it will last for approximately 6 months to a year at room temperature. I prefer to keep mine in the fridge as it’s delightful to drink chilled.
How to Use Homemade Apple Liqueur
There are plenty of ways to use this liqueur in cocktails and other beverages. Personally, I like to keep it simple and serve it over ice with a splash of water. It’ll warm you up from head to toe!
- Add it to a chilled glass of apple cider
- Serve it in your favorite Spiced Apple Martini
- Make an Angry Mule cocktail
- Use it to replace apple brandy in your favorite cocktails
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the spices. If you have more spices on hand, add them! This drink would be great with star anise, black peppercorn, and even a whole vanilla bean.
- Add a citrus peel. The bright flavors of an orange peel or lemon zest would pair well with the rich spices and aroma of brown sugar.
- Try a different alcohol. You can use any neutral spirit for this recipe. Darker spirits, like brown rum, will add even more flavor.
FAQs
People often want to know if they can rush their liqueur and get the drinks flowing faster. You can drink this liqueur at absolutely any time, but for the best flavor, you need to wait at least 2 weeks. Really, though, your taste buds will tell you. If you smell the drink and it smells like straight vodka, it’s too fresh. If you taste it and you taste the vodka before the sweet apples and spices, it needs more time. The same rule of thumb works with homemade extracts, as well. Follow your nose and taste!
The answer depends on the alcohol content of the liquor you use. For example, I used an 80-proof vodka from Costco, which means it has 40% alcohol on its own. I didn’t add any water at all, except for the natural juice from the apple. Without a hydrometer, I can only guess at the final alcohol percentage in this liqueur, but it’s probably still around 35% or so.
Nope. I’ve tried making simple syrups for my homemade liqueurs (like the lavender liqueur), but it’s not necessary. The sugar will dissolve in the vodka, so it doesn’t need any help with that process. The only real benefit is to make the liqueur a little less potent. To combat this, I like to serve a shot over ice and stir in a splash or two of water. It’s perfectly sippable, and the vodka high proof keeps it safe for storage.
Related Recipes
Vanilla Infused Vodka
Spiced Apple Liqueur
Equipment
- 2 quart mason jar
- 1 Chef's knife
Ingredients
- 2 cups unflavored vodka, or Everclear; high proof
- 1-2 apples, diced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, up to 1 cup
- 5 cloves
- fresh nutmeg, 2-3 grates or a dash
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar. Close and shake well.
- Store the jar in a cool, dry place. Shake daily for at least one week.
- Allow the mixture to steep for an additional week or until it has a strong apple flavor.
- Strain out the apples and spices and add the mixture to a fresh jar.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the spices. If you have more spices on hand, add them! This drink would be great with star anise, black peppercorn, and even a whole vanilla bean.
- Add a citrus peel. The bright flavors of an orange peel or lemon zest would pair well with the rich spices and aroma of brown sugar.
- Try a different alcohol. You can use any neutral spirit for this recipe. Darker spirits, like brown rum, will add even more flavor.
