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These brilliant fall cocktails highlight the best flavors of the season! Apple, pear, cranberry and cinnamon make the best cozy drinks.
Once there’s a chill in the air: it’s time for fall drinks! Autumn brings with it the most cozy flavors: apples, pears, pumpkin, cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re home cocktail experts with over 300 cocktails under our belt. We’ve reviewed all our list of drinks to find these best fall cocktails!
There’s a brilliant two-toned sangria, laden with cinnamon-spiced fruit, red wine, and sparkling cider. Cozy up to a warm hot toddy or mulled cider, or pop a bottle of champagne for a festive bubbly glass. There’s something for everyone…and you’re going to want to taste them all! Want to search by type? Browse Fall Bourbon Cocktails, Fall Vodka Cocktails, or 10 Hot Alcoholic Drinks.
And now…our top fall cocktails and drinks!
Once apple cider season rolls around, there’s one fall drink you absolutely must make with it: the Fall Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet apple cider syrup. Top it off with a salt or cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight.
Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice
Looking for a signature fall drink starring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth. Because it stars cranberry and bourbon it’s ideal for fall parties.
Ingredients: Bourbon, vermouth, orange juice, cranberry juice
There’s not much better to lift one’s spirits on a gray day than a steaming hot beverage. Here’s one that’s been around for centuries: the classic Hot Toddy! A burst of warm bourbon, rum or brandy melds seamlessly into the lemon and honey.
Ingredients: Whiskey, rum or brandy, honey, hot water, lemon
A favorite in our fall cocktails: apple cider sangria! Classic red sangria and white sangria are usually reserved for summer months. But this fall sangria pairs the flavors of fall (apple and cinnamon) with dry red wine to make a Spanish-style autumnal spin on this drink. It's warm, cozy, and fall-spiced.
Ingredients: Apple, pear, orange, sugar, cinnamon, red wine, sparkling cider
Looking for a fall cocktail with all the cozy vibes? Try this apple cider cocktail! Cider pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy bourbon in this sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex and highly drinkable.
Ingredients: Apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters
Here’s a festive fall cocktail: the apple cider mule! Everyone loves a classic Moscow Mule, and this seasonal spin is even more fun. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug. Why stop drinking the mule when fall hits? This autumnal variation is ideal for when the temps start to drop.
Ingredients: Apple cider, ginger beer, vodka, lime
This ruby red punch stars pomegranate juice and fresh citrus with a hint of maple syrup. Take one sip and it’s light, fruity, bubbly, and sweet tart: a true burst of refreshing flavors! You can spike it with bourbon, brandy, or white rum, or serve it non-alcoholic: either way, it's irresistible!
Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, lemons, oranges, soda water, maple syrup, bourbon, brandy or rum (optional), pomegranate seeds
Here’s another cozy fall cocktail: hot buttered rum! Just saying the name makes you warm inside. This historic drink has been around for centuries, and we’ve gone back to its roots to bring you the “real” way to make it. This version is subtly sweet, cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and spirit-forward with boozy dark rum. Oh: and there’s just enough butter to make it lightly creamy. It’s enough to warm your toes…and your soul.
Ingredients: Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, dark rum
Here’s a spin on the classic whiskey sour that will have everyone talking: try this cranberry orange whiskey sour! This fruity combination is perfect for fall cocktails. The bright berries add a fruity, tart intensity to the finish of each sip. Paired with bourbon, fresh orange and lemon juice, and maple syrup, it makes the best signature drink!
Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup
Here’s a fall cocktail for gray days and chilly evenings by the fire: spiked apple cider! Not only will it lift your spirits, it makes your kitchen smell like a candle shop. Everyone gathers around the pot, cupping their hands around the warm mugs. Spike it with rum and it's warming and cozy.
Ingredients: Apple cider, rum, cinnamon, star anise, whole cloves
Here’s an impressive fall cocktail that’s pretty darn perfect, in our opinion: this Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one of our favorite classic cocktails: sweet tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color!
Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, soda wayer
Here’s a fun fall cocktail that’s ideal for any whiskey lover: try the Apple Cider Old Fashioned! Swapping out the sugar for apple cider syrup infuses fruity, spiced seasonal flavor into this classic drink. Each sip has notes of apple and orange, cinnamon and spice, and vanilla and oak. If you’re in the mood for a boozy showstopper, this is the drink for you!
Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, Angostura bitters, bourbon or rye whiskey, orange peel
Want a warm fall drink that warms you from the inside out? There’s nothing better at taking the chill off than a homemade Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe! This mug of liquid cocoa is rich and creamy, with an intense depth in chocolate flavor. A hint of aged rum or bourbon, and it gives it a warming complexity with notes of vanilla and oak.
Or, make it non-alcoholic with
Ingredients: Cocoa powder, 2% milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, semi sweet or dark chocolate chips, or liquor to spike (rum, bourbon, Baileys or Kahlua)
We’ve got the perfect fall cocktail to add to your repertoire: the Pumpkin Martini! It’s creamy, it’s cozy pie spiced, and it’s made with real pumpkin for the best natural flavor. Even better, coat the glass rim in crushed graham crackers and you get a hint of crunchy sweet in each sip! This is the best cocktail for impressing your friends for any fall occasion.
Ingredients: Vodka, heavy cream, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla
Here’s a unique cocktail with an impressive sweet flavor: the Pear Martini! This drink is great for fall and winter entertaining, and to be honest: it caught us off guard with its delicate, sweet flavor. Pear comes in two waves: a muddled fresh pear brings brightness, and pear vodka infuses a strong fruity aroma.
Ingredients: Fresh pear, pear vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup
Here’s a spin on the classic that might be even tastier than the original: the Maple Old Fashioned! This fall cocktail uses maple syrup instead of sugar, along with the classic whiskey and bitters. Give it a swirl and a taste, and it’s even smoother than the original! The maple syrup adds hints of caramel and vanilla that give even more nuance and sophistication to each sip.
Ingredients: Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters
When it comes to warm fall drinks, nothing tops the great Pumpkin Spice Latte. This one is an actual latte made with real pumpkin and pumpkin spices. Take one sip and it tastes incredible: like you just sat down at a fancy craft coffeeshop. For the cocktail version, spike it with rum!
Ingredients: Espresso, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, whole milk, pumpkin pie spice
Meet a beautiful vibrant fall drink: the Cranberry Margarita! This bright red cocktail is absolutely stunning to look at, and the sweet tart flavor is crisp and refreshing. It’s got all the character of the classic margarita, but a beautiful new look and nuance to the flavor!
Ingredients: Cranberry juice, tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, salt
Want an easy fall drink? Try Apple Cider and Whiskey! These two ingredients go hand in hand, the spicy whiskey complimenting the sweet tart cider perfectly. The great part about this pairing? You can drink it hot or cold! Make it as a lowball cocktail with big chunks of clear ice, or opt for hot spiked cider spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Ingredients: Apple cider, whiskey, orange slice
Mulled wine is red wine that’s been infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, and it’s always served warm. It’s been popular in Europe for centuries and is one of the coziest fall cocktails. This recipe features cinnamon, allspice, and orange, but you can step it up with fancy flavors like anise, nutmeg, vanilla, and more.
Ingredients: Red wine, orange, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, honey
Want a quick and easy fall cocktail? Try Fireball and Apple Cider! These two pair perfectly: spicy cinnamon blends seamlessly with tangy sweet cider. Take one sip and it will blow you away! Fireball whiskey might have a lowbrow reputation, but mix it up just right and it tastes like a sophisticated craft cocktail perfect for fall and winter. Also try Apple Cider and Whiskey.
Ingredients: Fireball whiskey, apple cider, lemon juice
Looking for a cozy fall cocktail for a brunch or a lazy afternoon? Try an apple cider mimosa! This spin on the traditional mimosa is all fall: crisp, bubbly and apple forward. The best part? The cinnamon sugar rim on the glass gives a hint of spice and sweetness to each sip. These drinks are great for fall parties of all kinds or just sipping with a few friends.
Ingredients: Apple cider, champagne, Cointreau
Last up: looking for a fall cocktail that’s sippable and not too sweet? Try our new favorite fall drink: the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! This one is for bourbon-lovers: it’s a nuanced slow sipper with notes of vanilla, maple and spice. It’s barely sweet and bourbon-forward, ideal for sipping by the fireside or any fall occasion. While it’s bright orange, it tastes just like the Classic Old Fashioned you love…only cozier.
Ingredients: Bourbon, pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla
This fall cocktail is part drink, part dessert, and 100 percent irresistible! This Amaretto Coffee has one of those flavor combinations that’s years beyond the sum of its parts. The amaretto brings a nuttiness and spice to the coffee that’s hard to quantify in words. Topped with frothy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s truly to die for.
Ingredients: Amaretto, coffee, whipped cream
Looking for a drink to warm up on a chilly evening? A hot toddy is one thing, but even better? Try an Apple Cider Hot Toddy! Apple cider is the ideal balance in a hot toddy: it brings just the right sweet tart nuance to the flavor. Mix one up as a single serving, or make a big batch for guests like a spiked cider.
Ingredients: Apple cider, bourbon, honey, orange
Looking for a great fall cocktail with apple cider? Try this Apple Cider Martini! It’s tangy and balanced, with just the right interplay between sweet tart cider and citrusy orange liqueur. It’s got a hint of cinnamon on the finish and beware: it’s very drinkable.
Ingredients: Apple cider, vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon
The Moscow Mule is pretty ideal. It’s tangy and refreshing, easy to make right into the mug, and everyone always loves it. So get ready for the best new fruity spin: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger.
Ingredients: Cranberry juice, vodka, lime, ginger beer
How cute is this apple cider slushie? We got this one apple picking and had to figure out a way to make it at home. Turns out, it's seriously easy to make! It's got a pure cider flavor, and a cozy hint of cinnamon and cloves. Best of all, it looks stunning for fall entertaining! For a cocktail version, serve with a splash of rum, bourbon, or brandy.
Ingredients: Apple cider, cinnamon, cloves
This classy fall bourbon cocktail has a retro name and a sweet tart flavor: it’s the Gold Rush! It’s a modern spin on the classic whiskey sour using honey instead. The combination of the zing of the lemon, the nuance of the honey, and the spicy whiskey finish is perfection.
Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup
When it comes to festive fall cocktails…well, this one might take the cake. Try this Pomegranate Mimosa! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is one of the most satisfying around.
Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, Aperol, Prosecco or Champagne
More fall drinks
We’ve got cocktails for every season! In the summer, these summer cocktails are where it’s at. If you need more autumnal inspiration, here are a few more favorites that work as fall cocktails:
- Manhattan Add style to your evening with this easy classic whiskey cocktail made with just three ingredients.
- Milk Punch A cozy, creamy brandy cocktail made with milk and sugar!
- Spiked Hot Chocolate Nothing’s better than warm hot chocolate and bourbon or rum!
- Chambord and Champagne or Cranberry and Champagne Mixing raspberry liqueur with sparkling wine makes a bubbly and sophisticated drink.
- French Connection Equal parts Cognac and amaretto make a sophisticated and cozy slow-sipper.
- Penicillin This Scotch cocktail mixes the flavors of honey, lemon and ginger and has a high-end vibe.
30 Best Fall Cocktails & Drinks
Jump into the season with a fall margarita! The combination of tequila, fresh lime, and spiced apple cider syrup can’t be beat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the fall margarita
- 2 ounces tequila reposado (or tequila blanco)
- 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below)
- ½ ounce lime juice
- For the glass: kosher salt, clear ice, and cinnamon stick or apple slices (optional)
For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)
- 4 cups apple cider
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Make the apple cider syrup: Place the apple cider, granulated sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then maintain a low boil for 30 to 35 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Use immediately or refrigerate until using (stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
- Prepare the glass: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
- Make a single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
- Serve: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with clear ice. If desired, garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slices.
- For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 2 cups tequila, 1 cup apple cider syrup (make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe above!) and ½ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
great resource, will have to try them all starting with spike apple cider – thank you