Absolut Apple - Vodka, Sour Apple & Soda Highball

Absolut Apple is a bright, fruit-forward vodka highball that layers tart green apple, softer apple juice, and lemon-lime fizz. Sour apple schnapps gives it its bold candy-apple character, while vodka keeps the base clean and the soda stretches everything into a tall, easy-drinking serve. It is simple to build and best served very cold over plenty of ice.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• DeKuyper® Pucker® Sour Apple Schnapps Liqueur - brings tart green-apple flavor, sweetness, and a vivid fruit character.
• Absolut Vodka® - provides a clean spirit base without competing with the apple flavors.
• Apple Juice - rounds out the sharper schnapps with softer, more natural apple flavor.
• Lemon Lime Soda - adds citrus sweetness, carbonation, and length.

Another sour apple liqueur can replace the Pucker. Any clean, unflavored vodka works in place of Absolut. For a less sweet drink, replace part of the lemon-lime soda with soda water.

Equipment

• Collins Glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Why the Apple Flavor Works

This drink gets more depth than a simple vodka-and-soda build because the apple comes from two different directions. Sour apple schnapps supplies the sharp, candy-like green apple note, while apple juice gives the drink a rounder fruit flavor. Lemon-lime soda adds lift and keeps the combination from feeling too heavy.

Substitutions & Variations

• Replace some of the lemon-lime soda with soda water for a drier, crisper finish.
• Add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you want more acidity against the sweet apple flavors.
• Use an apple-flavored vodka for a more intense apple aroma.
• Swap the apple juice for unfiltered apple juice for a fuller fruit character.
• Garnish with a thin green-apple slice for a simple visual cue to the drink's flavor.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the soda before making the drink so it stays colder and holds its carbonation longer.
• Fill the Collins Glass generously with fresh ice before adding the ingredients.
• Add the lemon-lime soda last to preserve as much fizz as possible.
• Stir gently and briefly after topping. Over-stirring will knock out carbonation.
• Taste before adding extra citrus. Sour apple liqueurs vary in tartness and sweetness.
• For a larger batch, combine the vodka, sour apple schnapps, and apple juice ahead of time, then add soda to each glass just before serving.