Apple and elderflower martini

This apple and elderflower martini is a bright, easy-drinking cocktail that works well for Easter or any spring gathering. The mix of sharp apple juice, floral elderflower and fresh lime makes it crisp and refreshing without being too sweet. It's the perfect complement to your Easter menu.

Use a cold-pressed apple juice if you can (our cold press juicer guide includes the best of the best), as it gives a cleaner and more natural flavor. Chill the vodka and juice before mixing so the drink stays cold without needing too much ice, which can dilute the flavor.

Slice the apple rounds thinly so they float easily in the glass, and add the mint just before serving. This can be made in advance and kept in the fridge, which makes hosting simpler.

Ingredients

• Serves 6
• Cocktail glasses
• 1¼ cups vodka
• 1¼ cups cold pressed apple juice
• 5 tablespoons elderflower cordial
• Juice of 3 limes
• Crushed ice
• 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced into rounds
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

The Homes & Gardens method

1. In a large pitcher, combine the vodka, apple juice, and elderflower cordial.

2. Squeeze in the lime juice and stir well. Add a handful of crushed ice. Chill in the fridge if not serving right away.

3. To serve, place a little crushed ice into each of six cocktail glasses (Amazon has exact lookalikes of the martini glasses above). Add a slice of apple to each glass. Stir the cocktail, pour into the glasses, and garnish with a mint sprig.

A zesty spring cocktail that makes hosting effortless. If you're after a variation on this apple and elderflower martini, try using pear juice instead of apple or switch the vodka for gin. For a non-alcoholic version, mix apple juice, elderflower cordial and soda water with a squeeze of lime. And you can check out our sherry cosmopolitan if you want a cheeky alternative!