Name: Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 1 glass
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

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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. Gluten Free.

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!

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.

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.

5 from 1 vote

Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

1 min

Total Time

6 mins

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!

Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: Drink

Keyword: christmas cocktail

Servings: 1 glass

Calories: 230 kcal

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

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.

Recipe 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

Nutrition Facts

Gin &Appletiser a refreshing Christmas Cocktail

Amount Per Serving

Calories 230

% Daily Value*

Sodium 10mg 0%

Potassium 252mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 28g 9%

Sugars 24g

Vitamin C 2.7%

Calcium 2%

Iron 1.7%