Are you searching for the best cocktails to sip and savor this fall? As the shadows lengthen and the temperatures ease, seasonal delights are waiting to be discovered and shared. Read on for some of our favorite must-try fall cocktails, from new twists on classic libations to innovative concoctions.
Mr. October
When Travel + Leisure started researching fall cocktail recipes, they reached out to bartenders throughout the United States to learn about their best creations. One of their favorite responses came from Timothy Miner from Magic Touch Cocktails in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. October “combines cinnamon, apple, and nutmeg—those classic fall flavors—to gorgeous effect,” according to the Magazine. You’ll need to stock some apple brandy, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, Galliano L’Authentico, St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram, and fresh nutmeg for this tantalizing drink. Then get ready for an experience that tastes like comfort and celebration.
Red Maple Swizzle
Are your guests fans of elevated rum drinks? The Red Maple Swizzle, a creation of The Hawthorne’s Jackson Cannon in Boston, Massachusetts, is “an autumnal sibling of the Dark and Stormy, but featuring lime rather than lemon, and a dash of bitters for balance,” reports Travel + Leisure. It’s crafted by stirring together Smith and Cross rum, lemon juice, Peychaud’s bitters, and, of course, Grade A Maple Syrup in a highball glass with ice. Your guests will love everything about this decadent cocktail.
Fennel and Fig Infused Vodka
Food & Wine loves introducing readers to the Fennel and Fig Infused Vodka cocktail made by Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Typically served in a sophisticated rocks glass, this fall cocktail recipe relies on both fresh and dried Black Mission figs, as well as a just-picked, if possible, small bulb of fennel. And, of course, your favorite vodka plays a vital role. Described as a “savory seasonal infusion,” this libation will be the hit of your party.
English Harvest
Can you imagine a dry gin cocktail with notes of apples and peanut butter? Luckily, Mixologist Ryan Fitzgerald found a way to get the English Harvest close to those flavors. Food & Wine reveals that the secret “was to mix almond syrup with apple juice and fiery apple brandy.” This London dry gin cocktail is a beauty to behold – the taste is incredible, and the libation is a gorgeous one to serve, as it is strained into “small chilled coupe or snifter and [garnished] with [an] orange twist.”
Tennessee Cherry Fall Cocktail
For a sweet treat that is perfect for late fall, including Thanksgiving dinners, the editors at Better Homes & Gardens rave about the Tennessee Cherry Cocktail. This fall sipper features “sweet cherries, cherry-infused whiskey, cocoa, and vanilla.” Fresh sweet cherries are preferred, but frozen cherries work well, too, and the richness of the chocolate-flavored syrup adds to a depth of flavor that thrills the palate. The recipe calls for muddling in an old fashioned glass for a refined look that can make any gathering feel like a special occasion. You can also make this cocktail into a mocktail simply by swapping out the “whiskey with your favorite cola,” according to the Magazine.
Apple Cider Cocktail
Whenever we think of autumn, we think of apple cider straight from the orchard. It is that quintessential experience that, in part, influences the love Better Homes & Gardens has for this cocktail. The Magazine reveals that “grapes, apples, lemon, and orange form the perfect melody of tart fruit flavors in this fall drink.” Artisan barrel-aged gin and Vermont hard cider are also added to this big-batch cocktail, which offers a warmly spirited sip that will elevate any gathering.
Apple Cider, Cranberry, and Ginger Punch
Martha Stewart Living is also a fan of blending seasonal fruits into delectable fall cocktails. Described as “a festive choice for happy hour,” this favored “fall cocktail recipe is made with ginger beer, fresh cranberries, and apple cider.” You start by muddling cranberries with sugar in a pitcher and then add the other ingredients, stirring as you go. The punch is delicious as is and perfect for the whole family. However, if you want to shift this recipe from a mocktail to a tempting cocktail, all you need to do is add your favorite gin into the mix.
Hot Cranberry Juice
Named the “Unexpected Fall Cocktail to Master” by Food & Wine, Hot Cranberry Juice is due to be one of the most requested and celebrated libations this autumn. The bar director at Constantine in Minneapolis, Jeff Rogers, approached this cocktail like one would a mulled wine. As Food & Wine explains: “He adds baking spices, and then mixes it with rye whiskey and amaretto, garnishing it with an orange coin for the finishing touch, so it resembles ‘a twist on a familiar favorite.’” It’s an inspired choice that will delight and surprise your guests throughout the season and into the holidays.
Pear Nectar and Thyme Mimosa
For a fall-inspired twist on a traditional mimosa, you might want to try the pear nectar and thyme version. The Food & Wine editors adore this fall cocktail recipe from Caitlin Moran at Glitter Guide and named it one of the best cocktails you haven’t tried. As you can guess, this cocktail was made for fall brunches. For a batch of cocktails, you just need to combine a bottle of dry Prosecco or Champagne with a 12-ounce bottle of delectable pear nectar. Then pop in four to six sprigs of fresh thyme, and get ready for the compliments!
Pear Nectar and Thyme Mimosa
For a fall-inspired twist on a traditional mimosa, you might want to try the pear nectar and thyme version. The Food & Wine editors adore this fall cocktail recipe from Caitlin Moran at Glitter Guide and named it one of the best cocktails you haven’t tried. As you can guess, this cocktail was made for fall brunches. For a batch of cocktails, you just need to combine a bottle of dry Prosecco or Champagne with a 12-ounce bottle of delectable pear nectar. Then pop in four to six sprigs of fresh thyme, and get ready for the compliments!
The Champagne Cocktail
Of course, you can never go wrong when you usher in fall with a Champagne cocktail toast. A twist on a classic, this recipe from Allen Katz, host of “The Cocktail Hour” on Martha Stewart Living Radio, introduces epicureans to the delights of Angostura Bitters. He begins by “[soaking] a sugar cube in several drops of Angostura Bitters” and then places the soaked cube at the bottom of a flute before filling it with Champagne. A quick stir with a long spoon will help dissolve the soaked cube and set the Champagne bubbles brightly dancing in the glass. All that is left to do is serve and celebrate with this dazzling fall cocktail.
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