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You are here: Home / Recipes / Recipes by Main Ingredient / Booze / Gin & Appletiser – a refreshing Christmas Cocktail

Gin & Appletiser – a refreshing Christmas Cocktail

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Published on November 30, 2015 by Helen Best-Shaw 57 Comments
Last Updated on October 29, 2020

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A gin and apple christmas cocktail in a clear glass with a cinnamon stick decorated with christmas decorations

This gin and sparkling apple juice makes an easy seasonal twist on a gin and tonic which is ideal to serve at a Christmas party. Cranberry ice cubes are easy to make, and really make it look so much more special. 

A gin and tonic with a twist. Swap the tonic for sparkling apple juice and add cranberry ice cubes for a simple, but stunning Christmas drink.

Everything You Need To Know

  • Appletiser Christmas Cocktail
  • How to make Jewelled Ice Cubes
  • More winter cocktails and drinks 
  • Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Appletiser Christmas Cocktail

The season of Christmas parties is about to start, and there is the always the question of what to serve your guests.    I like to have something different, but not too alcoholic, heavily spiced or anything that I am going to feel the effects of the day after.

I like to serve my guests something different, which is easy to prepare as well as looking appetising.   In a twist on a the classic everyday G&T I have swapped the tonic for Appletiser, sparkling apple juice, and served with cranberry ice cubes, a stick of cinnamon, twist of lime  and a slice of apple.   It looks great with the jewelled cranberry ice cubes, tastes delicious, the cinnamon has a lovely Christmassy smell, and importantly it can be made as strong or as week, or even as a mocktail to each guest’s taste.   An added bonus is that at a crowded party any spills won’t stain the carpet!

Cranberries on a blue green marble background

Appletiser has been made since 1966, and is popular world over, I remember greatly enjoying it through the years, and certainly as a child drank it for a treat.

If making this for a large number of people start making the ice cubes a good few days in advance – use the biggest ice cube tray you have for big chunky cubes, and prepare the lime and apple slices (stop them browning with a squeeze of lime) before your guests arrive.  Make sure that everything is well chilled.   I used a branded, but not a premium gin for these.

A gin and tonic with a twist. Swap the tonic for sparkling apple juice and add cranberry ice cubes for a simple, but stunning Christmas drink.

How to make Jewelled Ice Cubes

Fruit ice cubes like these cranberry ice cubes will make any drink look far more special.   The trick is to freeze the fruit in the middle of the cube, and to make large ice cubes.  I use a silicone mould that makes 15 cubes.     Pop a few cranberries into the middle of the mould then half top up with water.  If they float freeze with the ice cube tray half full.   Once frozen top up with more water and refreeze.

A simply fuss free almost effortless trick for impressive serving.

Jewelled Ice cubes containing cranberries

More winter cocktails and drinks 

  • Mulled cider
  • Cranberry vodka
  • Sloe Gin
  • Bramble Whisky
  • Hot buttered rum
  • Christmas Martini 
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A gin and tonic with a twist. Swap the tonic for sparkling apple juice and add cranberry ice cubes for a simple, but stunning Christmas drink.
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4.87 from 23 votes

Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail

A fruity twist on a gin & tonic, this long refreshing cocktail is lightly spiced and perfect for a Christmas party. Easy to make and serve over ice.  Take out the cinnamon stick and serve it in the summer too!
Servings: 1 glass
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time1 min
Total Time6 mins
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Ingredients

  • Cranberries - I used frozen
  • Filtered water
  • 50 ml / 2 shots of gin - chilled (use a branded label, but no need to splash out on premium)
  • 250 ml Appletiser original - chilled
  • 3 Cranberry ice cubes
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Slice apple
  • Wedge of lime

Instructions

  • Place 4 cranberries in each compartment of an ice cube tray, top up with distilled water and freeze overnight. If the cranberries float, half fill the tray, allow to freeze then top up with more water.
  • Pour the gin into a glass, top with with Appletiser, add the ice cubes, cinnamon stick and apple. Give the lime wedge a gentle squeeze and then add to the drink.

Notes

  • Adapt for summer drinking with a sprig of mint in place of the cinnamon stick, and mint or lemon jewelled ice cubes
  • This recipe is 10 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 230
% Daily Value*
Sodium 10mg0%
Potassium 252mg7%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Sugar 24g27%
Vitamin C 2.2mg3%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Drink
Keyword: christmas cocktail
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If you like Appletiser you may also like

  • Sarah’s Appletiser Prosecco Cocktail with Brandy
  • Katie’s Spiced Apple Mojito Cocktail with Appletiser
  • Jac’s Green Apple Margarita with Appletiser
  • Jeanne’s Toffee Apple Dessert Appletiser Cocktail

And for the spring you will love my rhubarb and ginger gin recipe.

Delicious home made rhubarb and ginger gin.

Carry on the cocktail chat using #CrownTheMoment

Fuss Free Flavours encourages you to drink responsibility.   For advice please visit Drinkaware.

Recipe commissioned by Appletiser. All opinions our own. 

 

A gin and tonic with a twist. Swap the tonic for sparkling apple juice and add cranberry ice cubes for a simple, but stunning Christmas drink.

 

A gin and tonic with a twist. Swap the tonic for sparkling apple juice and add cranberry ice cubes for a simple, but stunning Christmas drink.

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Filed Under: Booze, Christmas, Drinks, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Sponsored, Winter Ingredients: Berries, Fruit, Gin, Lime, Spices

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

    5 stars
    This is right up my street Helen! A big gin fan but I must admit I’ve never swapped out tonic for Appletiser before. Very original! I’ll definitely give this a try.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It was super delicious – and a nice refreshing twist on a classic.

      Reply
  2. kate @veggie desserts

    These sound so festive, but refreshing! I love the cranberry ice cubes and the appletiser is such a great tonic alternative. YUM!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I really do not like over spiced food at Christmas. People get so heavy handed on the mixed spice, nutmeg etc.

      Reply
  3. Janie

    5 stars
    I’m beginning to wish that I loved gin as my feed is full of delicious looking gin based cocktails today!
    Janie x
    PS Gorgeous pics x

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Janie, I am sure it would work with vodka too?

      Reply
  4. Dan

    5 stars
    A very Christmassey looking drink, and now it’s December I can start to enjoy the pre Christmas build up. Lovely!

    Reply
    • Helen

      That is the spirit! (pun intended there)

      Reply
  5. Meredith Fletcher

    5 stars
    I adore the cranberries frozen into ice. I’ll have to do that with lemon and lime slices. I do like borage flowers frozen in ice in Pimms cup in summer.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Meredith. It is all in the presentation isn’t it?

      Reply
  6. Sarah, Maison Cupcake

    5 stars
    That looks totally festive, I could do with a glass of that whilst putting my Christmas tree up!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Absolutely. It was so refreshing too.

      Reply
  7. Matt

    5 stars
    My girlfriend and me loved it, thanks Helen!
    Matt

    Reply
    • Helen

      I am so glad!

      Reply
  8. Ana De- Jesus

    This sounds fab would love to try this and it is perfect for xmas :) . I would take out the gin and replace it with something non-alcoholic.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The spiced Appletiser is rather nice. Make sure you make the jewelled ice cubes so it is special.

      Reply
  9. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    Gin and Appletizer sounds like an incredible combination. I will be trying that very soon. Maybe even tonight!

    Reply
    • Helen

      It does make a nice change to tonic!

      Reply
  10. StressedMum

    5 stars
    I have never thought of using appletiser before instead of tonic, but what a great idea, this could also work with other drinks as well if someone is not keen on gin. I will be trying this out while partying over christmas x

    Reply
    • Helen

      It is a really nice twist! And with the cinnamon it smells lovely and Christmassy.

      Reply
  11. Melanie Edjourian

    4 stars
    That sounds interesting, I love Appletiser. I might make it over Christmas.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I’d not had Appletiser for years – it works so well with the gin and is lovely and seasonal!

      Reply
  12. The London Mum

    5 stars
    I actually prefer the sound of this drink to a G&T any day. Love the extra flavours you’ve added. Yum!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you. Perfect for a refreshing drink.

      Reply
  13. Samantha Rickelton

    Oh I love appletiser but have never thought about using it in a cocktail! Such a good idea, especially at Christmas!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Did it count towards your 5 a day? It is juice based!

      Reply
  14. Rachel

    Now this is a dream of a cocktail for me, I love everything about it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      thanks Rachel. I made it at 11am and of course had to fully test it!

      Reply
  15. Stella

    This sounds like a drink I would normally take. I will be trying it this holiday.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Enjoy it!

      Reply
  16. Zoe IKIWN

    4 stars
    Gin based cocktails are absolutely my favourite, this sounds divine!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I love gin too! And a nice refreshing long cocktail is so enjoyable.

      Reply
  17. Charlotte

    I am not a fan of gin but I love appletiser! x

    Reply
    • Helen

      I am sure it would work as well with vodka!

      Reply
  18. Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops

    5 stars
    I really like the sound of this – a very Christmassy drink =) I love the way the drink looks – it even looks Christmassy! hehe

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Jenni, I love the jewelled ice cubes – easy but so effective.

      Reply
  19. Daniella

    5 stars
    This drink looks incredibly festive and so appealing. I’m a huge fan of gin and always looking for different ways to serve it, I’ve never thought about turning it into a festive drink before so thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Daniella! And I hope it is slightly different?

      Reply
  20. Natasha Mairs

    I can’t believe I have never tried gin or appletiser before!! Will have to buy some as this recipe sounds yummy!

    Reply
    • Helen

      They go so well together!

      Reply
  21. Rebecca Smith

    4 stars
    Sounds delicious! Showing my friend who adores gin and may have to give these a try at Christmas x

    Reply
    • Helen

      I think they are very deserving of a try!

      Reply
  22. Ali

    mmm sounds yum, i might have to add this to my christmas cocktail repertoire!

    Reply
    • Helen

      We enjoyed it! Happy Christmas!

      Reply
  23. Charlotte Braithwaite

    5 stars
    OMG Helen.
    This looks divine & I bet it tastes bloody amazing too!
    I need to try this – I love Appletiser so I’m really looking forward to this.
    Thanks for sharing lovely.
    Charlotte x

    Reply
    • Helen

      I hope you enjoy it Charlotte, it is super refreshing!

      Reply
  24. Jacqueline Meldrum

    5 stars
    That cocktail looks amazing Helen> bet it’s so refreshing but full of flavour too. Love appletiser as a mixer. Much more interesting than plain lemonade.

    Reply
    • Helen

      I am loving rediscovering Appletiser. Lots of ideas for it.

      Reply
  25. Jeanne Horak-Druiff

    5 stars
    Aaaah, love Appletiser! It’s a brand that was started in South Africa and I grew up with it :) I wish their red and white Grapetiser were more freely available in the UK too as they are both delicious. Love the sound of this Christmassy cocktail :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      I have loved rediscovering Appletiser. It makes a splendid mixer.

      Reply
  26. mercedes

    hello,
    i haven’t been able to find appletiser in america, anything i can substitute it for? thanks so much! i love G&T and would love to try this.

    Reply
    • Helen

      And fizzy or sparkling apple juice will be suitable.

      Reply
  27. Natalie M

    5 stars
    These cocktails sound lovely, and not heavy. Perfect for a little Christmas joy. It is the season to be jolly after all.

    Reply
  28. Sophie

    5 stars
    I remember having appletiser in glass bottles when I was a child. Really refreshing. These cocktails sound delicious, and perfect for Christmas parties.

    Reply
  29. Tasha

    5 stars
    You’ve served these drinks so beautifully, they look amazing. Perfect for seasonal celebrations.

    Reply
  30. Kerry

    5 stars
    Am loving the cranberry ice cubes, what a wonderful idea to add a touch of Christmas to your drink.

    Reply
  31. Shaun Ball

    5 stars
    Great flavours for a great festive drink. Would never have thought of mixing with Appletiser.

    Reply

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