
It’s the season for autumn beverages! Fall brings along delightful seasonal tastes, such as apples, pears, pumpkin, cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with my husband Alex to develop cocktail recipes, and I’ve compiled my selection of the finest fall cocktails for this season!
I’ve discovered that it’s not just about adding pumpkin spice to everything. The finest fall drinks harmonize warmth and comfort with taste and elegance. I’ve featured timeless options like the Hot Toddy and Mulled Cider, along with inventive variations like my Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail. You’ll definitely want to save this entire list!
My favorite autumn cocktails and drinks
One of my top picks for fall cocktails is this Fall Margarita! The homemade apple cider syrup adds richness and warmth that transforms tequila and lime into a seasonal and elegant treat.
Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice
My Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is a beloved family recipe! It’s well-balanced, sweet and tart, with complex fruity notes from sweet vermouth. It’s one of those fall cocktails that is perfect as a signature drink for a dinner party or a little indulgence on a Tuesday night.
Ingredients: Bourbon, vermouth, orange juice, cranberry juice
I cannot emphasize enough how important a solid hot toddy recipe is for the fall and winter months! Whether you opt for bourbon, rum, or brandy, this comforting drink with honey and lemon has been warming hearts (literally) for ages.
Ingredients: Whiskey, rum or brandy, honey, hot water, lemon
Your ultimate secret for fall gatherings! Each glass is filled with cinnamon-spiced apples, pears, and oranges. The sparkling cider provides a festive effervescence that adds a special touch.
Ingredients: Apple, pear, orange, sugar, cinnamon, red wine, sparkling cider
Here is an autumn cocktail brimming with cozy vibes: my Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail! The sweet vermouth introduces complexity, and a dash of lemon juice and orange bitters prevent it from being overly sweet. It’s the kind of fall drink that encourages you to take your time and savor each sip.
Ingredients: Apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters
Take everything you love about a traditional Moscow Mule and give it a fall twist for added fun! The blend of spicy ginger beer and sweet apple cider is inspired, and serving it in a mug feels perfect for the season.
Ingredients: Apple cider, ginger beer, vodka, lime
This punch is a stunning ruby red! It’s perfect for larger gatherings and can easily be adapted to be non-alcoholic. The maple syrup imparts a subtle sweetness, and the pomegranate seeds floating on top are visually appealing. This is my go-to for parties!
Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, lemons, oranges, soda water, maple syrup, bourbon, brandy or rum (optional), pomegranate seeds
This autumn cocktail has stood the test of time! My version is gently sweet and cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice. I prefer dark rum for depth, and a touch of butter gives it creaminess without heaviness.
Ingredients: Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, dark rum
The traditional whiskey sour is delightful all year, but this fall variation adds a unique twist with cranberry and orange. The vibrant berries introduce a lovely hue and tartness that make each sip intriguing.
Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup
Here’s an autumn cocktail perfect for gray days and chilly nights by the fire: spiked apple cider! Nothing fills your home with a better aroma than a pot of this simmering on the stove. I often prepare a large batch when hosting guests.
Ingredients: Apple cider, rum, cinnamon, star anise, whole cloves
The classic gin fizz is given a fall twist with pomegranate juice, which I personally find even more delightful! It imparts a gorgeous jewel-toned hue and sweet-tart depth. The fluffy egg white foam atop adds a touch of elegance: perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, soda water
Replacing sugar with apple cider syrup in a traditional Old Fashioned infuses fruity, spiced seasonal flavor into this timeless drink. Each sip reveals notes of apple and orange, cinnamon and spice, along with vanilla and oak. This one is perfect if you enjoy spirit-forward beverages!
Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, Angostura bitters, bourbon or rye whiskey, orange peel
Here’s a warm autumn drink that soothes from the inside out! Rich, creamy, and intensely chocolatey, it can be spiked with your choice of rum, bourbon, Baileys, or Kahlua. Alternatively, you can enjoy it without alcohol!
Ingredients: Cocoa powder, 2% milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, or liquor to spike (rum, bourbon, Baileys or Kahlua)
If you’re a pumpkin enthusiast, here’s one of my favorite fall cocktails: the