I know, I’ve been fixating on apples these past couple of weeks. Subconsciously, I’m trying to bring on fall. Every year I forget how hot September is in Southern California. If you’re wearing your comfy jeans and enjoying the cool, fall weather today, just know that I am very jealous. I’m here melting in my kitchen (the hot oven doesn’t help), and testing my willpower for airconditioning. 

I had a fabulous birthday last week and am officially thirty-something. My son stayed home “sick” from school last Thursday and we went to Disneyland. (Shh…don’t tell!) My mom and dad joined us, and aside from watching my son experience pure terror on Star Tours, it was a perfect day! My son is so much like me, it’s scary…really scary! He too, has the need to always know what’s next. He doesn’t do well with the unexpected, and unfortunately most of the big kid rides are all about the unexpected. I try to nudge him out of his comfort zone a bit, but have realized that one day his cautiousness will be to my advantage. I don’t think I’ll ever have to worry about my boy sky diving or bungee jumping and maybe (cross my fingers) in high school cautiousness will win out over any evil.

This candy apple-tini is exactly what I expected. The combination of the sour apple and butterscotch shnapps makes it taste like eating a candy apple. The addition of cranberry juice tones it down so it is not unbearably sweet (Don’t get me wrong, it’s sweet!).  It’s the perfect cocktail for a fall party.  

Cheers to embracing a bit of the unexpected this week!

Candy Apple-tinis

2 oz. vanilla vodka

2 oz. sour apple schnapps (De Kuyper’s Apple Pucker)

1/2 oz. butterscotch schnapps

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. apple juice

Caramel topping

Pour a bit of caramel topping in the bottom of a martini glass and chill. Shake all ingredients in martini shaker. Pour and serve. Garnish with an apple slice.