As the weather starts to cool down, what better way to enjoy it than with a delicious drink in hand? Check out these fall cocktails that are perfect for taking in the crisp autumn air. From pumpkin spice lattes to cider, there’s something for everyone! So grab your favorite mug and get ready to sip on some of the best fall beverages out there.
5 Tips For Choosing Drinks This Fall
Below, we’ve compiled a list of five tips to help you make the best choices when it comes to fall drinks.
1. Consider Your Favorite Flavors
When it comes to fall drinks, there are so many amazing options to choose from. But with so many flavors to choose from, it can be tough to decide what to pick. So, think about what your favorite flavors are and go from there. Whether you love the taste of pumpkin spice or prefer something a little sweeter, there’s bound to be a fall drink out there that’s perfect for you.
2. Choose Fruits And Vegetables That Are In Season
This time of year, there are so many delicious fruits and vegetables that are in season. When it comes to fall drinks, incorporating these seasonal ingredients can make all the difference. Not only will your drink taste better, but you’ll also be getting all of the nutrients that these fruits and vegetables have to offer.
3. Go For Something Warm
As the weather starts to cool down, you might find yourself craving something warm to drink. If this is the case, there are plenty of great options out there. There are so many delicious choices that will warm you up from the inside out. So, if you’re looking for a drink that will make you feel cozy and comfortable, go for something warm.
4. Don’t Forget About Alcohol
While not everyone drinks alcohol, there are still plenty of great fall drinks out there that contain it. From beer to hard cider, there are so many delicious choices that are perfect for this time of year. So, if you’re in the mood for a boozy beverage, don’t forget to check out some of the great options that are available.
5. Make Smart Choices
Just as you would with other indulgences, seasonal drinks need to be balanced with other high-calorie foods like candy apples and candy corn. If you want to include a festive drink in your celebrations, choose wisely between that and a dessert item. Both can be enjoyed if planned for accordingly, but it’s important to make a conscious choice about when you will have either or both.
Fall Cocktails To Try This Season
Now that you know what to look for when choosing fall Cocktails, it’s time to get started on picking out some that you’ll love. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best fall drinks out there.
1. Pumpkin Spice Martini
This fall cocktail is the pumpkin spice latte of drinks. A reduction of apple cider creates sweet and tangy flavors that go great with pumpkin pie spices. Bourbon works best for this recipe, but vodka is also a good choice. Be careful not to let the cider burn during the final minutes of simmering. The bitters give it a chocolate-orange flavor, but one or the other will suffice if necessary.
To create a pumpkin pie martini, you’ll need the following:
-3 ounces of bourbon or vodka
-1 cup of fresh apple cider
-⅛ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
-Dash orange bitters
-6 to 10 granules of kosher salt
-Ice cubes
In a saucepan over low heat, simmer the cider and pumpkin pie spice until it becomes thick and reduced to 2 tablespoons (10-15 minutes). Be sure to use a silicone spatula to scrape the pan, so you get all of the syrup. Then, add the bourbon or vodka, chocolate bitters, orange bitters, and salt into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well before straining into a coupe glass.
Spiced Apple Cocktail
The addition of fresh apple slices to this bourbon-based cocktail adds both flavorful juice and gentle sweetness. For the most delicious results, use apples that are high in acidity and full of flavor, like Honeycrisp or Macoun. Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur with hints of vanilla, while Ancho Reyes has mild chile heat. The combination creates a cocktail that is sweet, savory, and gently spicy all at once.
-¼ ounce agave or simple maple syrup
-2 large, thin slices of fresh apple
-¼ ounce Ancho Reyes
-Dash orange bitters
-6 to 10 granules of kosher salt
-Ice, cubes, and crushed
-2 ounces bourbon
-¼ ounce Licor 43
In a glass, mash the apple slices and syrup together. Add the bourbon, Licor 43, Ancho Reyes, bitters, and salt. Stir with ice cubes until combined well, then strain into a coupe that is filled halfway with crushed ice.
Mulled Wine
This aromatic wine is perfect for fall gatherings. You can make it ahead and keep it warm in a slow cooker, making it easy to serve to a crowd. Be sure to use a full-bodied red wine such as Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon. The longer the spices infuse, the more potent their flavors will become, so be sure to taste the wine and adjust the spices as necessary.
To make this, you’ll need the following:
-1 bottle (750 ml) red wine
-1 cup brandy
-1 orange, sliced into rounds
-1 lemon, sliced into rounds
-1 cinnamon stick
-3 whole cloves
-2-star anise
-1 teaspoon honey
In a slow cooker, combine all of the ingredients. Cook on low until warmed through and fragrant, about 1 hour. Serve in glasses with a cinnamon stick garnish.
Buttered Rum
The Buttered Rum is a warm drink composed of rum, apple cider, and spices with a pat of butter melted in. To make this great-tasting mixture accessible all year round, most people utilize fat washing. This involves adding a flavorful fatty ingredient like bacon or butter to liquor. Once it has had time to infuse, it is chilled so the fat can be strained out easily, leaving only its flavor behind. The outcome of this recipe is buttery-rich rum, which pairs excellently with hard apple cider that is bright in color.
-¼ ounce orange liqueur
-¼ ounce agave or simple syrup
-2 ounces aged rum
-1 tablespoon melted butter
-Pinch-grated nutmeg
-Ice cubes
-1-ounce hard apple cider
Mix the rum and butter in a small glass, then let it sit for 5 minutes. Next, put it in the freezer for 10 minutes. While that’s chilling, line a mesh cocktail strainer with cheesecloth. After the butter-rum mixture has been frozen, pour it through the strainer and cheesecloth into a cocktail shaker to get rid of the butter solids. Add the orange liqueur, syrup, and nutmeg to the liquid mixture in your shaker before shaking the iced cubes inside of it. Strain what is now your drink into a coupe glass, leaving room at top so you can later add cider as a final touch.
Hard Cider Sangria
This is a great way to use up any extra hard cider you may have. The apple cider and fruit give it a festive fall flavor, but feel free to use whatever fruits are in season. Be sure to let the mixture sit for at least an hour so the flavors can blend together.
-1 (750ml) bottle of dry red wine
-1 cup apple brandy or Calvados
-1 cup hard apple cider
-½ cup agave or simple syrup
-1 cup of lemon juice
-1 Fuji or Granny Smith apple, cut into ¼-inch slices
-1 Bartlett pear, cut into ¼-inch slices
-½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
-Ice cubes
In a large pitcher, mix together the wine, brandy, cider, syrup, and lemon juice. Add the apple and pear slices, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Stir gently, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 12 hours). Serve over ice cubes.
Cava And Pomegranate Cocktail
Removing the seeds from a pomegranate can be messy, so feel free to use store-bought pomegranate juice. For an extra festive touch, garnish with rosemary sprigs.
-1-ounce gin
-½ ounce dry vermouth
-¼ ounce Lillet Blanc
-1 teaspoon pomegranate juice
-Ice cubes
-Champagne or sparkling wine
-Rosemary sprig (optional)
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, vermouth, Lillet, and pomegranate juice. Shake with ice cubes, then strain into a flute. Top off with Champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, if desired.
Scorpion Bowl Punch
This punch is traditionally served in a large, shared bowl with several long straws. If you don’t have a scorpion bowl, any large punch bowl will do.
-1 (750ml) bottle of white rum
-1 (750ml) bottle light rum
-1 (750ml) bottle of gold rum
-1 cup passion fruit juice
-1 cup orange juice
-1 cup pineapple juice
-½ cup lime juice
-Ice cubes
2-liter bottle of lemon-lime soda
In a large punch bowl, mix together the white rum, light rum, gold rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice. Add enough ice cubes to fill the bowl ¾ of the way full. Top off with lemon-lime soda. Serve with long straws.
Spiced Cranberry Cocktail
This classic cocktail is perfect for fall and winter gatherings. The cranberry juice and spices give it a festive flavor, while the vodka keeps it nice and strong.
-1 ounce cranberry juice
-1 ounce apple cider
-½ ounce lemon juice
-½ ounce agave or simple syrup
-1 tablespoon whole berry cranberry sauce
-¼ teaspoon ground cloves
-¼ teaspoon ground ginger
-¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
-Ice cubes
-1½ ounces vodka
In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, apple cider, lemon juice, syrup, cranberry sauce, and spices. Shake with ice cubes, then strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Other Fall-Themed Drinks You Will Love
Below, we discuss some other drinks that are perfect for fall.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
A Pumpkin Spice Latte is a fall classic. This flavorful coffee drink is made with espresso, milk, pumpkin puree, spices and topped with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Nothing says fall like a mug of hot chocolate. This version is made with milk, dark chocolate, spices, and your choice of spiced rum, bourbon, or vodka. Top it off with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for the perfect fall treat.
Espressos
This is a great fall twist on the classic espresso. It is made with espresso, steamed milk, and a shot of hazelnut or pumpkin spice-flavored syrup. Top it off with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for a delicious fall treat.
Stop By Our Restaurant For Fall Drink Specials
If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy some delicious fall drinks and martinis, be sure to stop by our restaurant. We offer a variety of seasonal specials that are sure to please. Click here to book a reservation
