37 Fall Cocktails for The Best Season of the Year
There's no better time to sit on the porch and sip on something relaxing.
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Is there a better time of year for drinking a cocktail than the fall? Sure, summer cocktails are fun, and winter cocktails are warming, but there's just nothing like sitting on the porch, watching the leaves change color, sipping on something tasty, and letting the time pass.
Fall cocktails can be as easy as mixing bourbon and cider and calling it a drink. Or they can be as impressive a concoction as a pumpkin-spice flavored White Russian. However you make them, we think they should be tasty. So we have a few dozen of our favorites, right here.
We recommend picking one and making it your go-to for the season. You'll be glad you did.
Poinsettia Cocktail
Here's a cocktail worthy of its namesake: richly red, with an (unearned) reputation for being dangerous.
Grilled Orange Old-Fashioned
It's been a good run, pumpkin spice latte, but it might just be time to hang up your hat. This sweet, smoky bourbon cocktail is the real drink of the season.
Old Scholar Rye Whiskey Cocktail
What else could we name a drink that involves muddled sage? We not going to call this well-balanced concoction an instant classic—but it's already the only thing we want when relaxing on the back porch.
Cranberry Mulled White Wine
Flavored with fall spice, cranberries, and a touch of honey, this lighter wine is every bit as warming as its counterparts, but with a tart, clean taste. Serve it with spicy roasted pecans!
Sparkling Cider and Bourbon Cocktail
If you're looking for something that'll help you relax without putting you down for the count, try this unfussy four-ingredient drink.
The Sunflower
Picture the sun just starting to set over a field of sunflowers on an early fall day, as the weather starts to cool and the light turns golden. Now picture that feeling in a glass.
Whiskey River Cocktail
Though it gets its name from one of our favorite classic Willie Nelson songs, we don't want you to drown in this drink, so it take it easy.
Woodchuck Warmer
As fall starts to turn from warm to cool, you'll want a drink that'll keep you toasty. This spiced hot cider drink is just the thing.
Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Don't call it basic, call it classic. Crumbled gingersnaps and pumpkin pie spice turn this coffee-liqueur number into an iconic fall cocktail.
Haymaker Cocktail
Just like its namesake, this drink packs quite a wallop. Combining the best parts of a Manhattan and a whiskey sour (plus a splash of Cointreau) this cocktail goes down easy. But careful! It's stronger than it looks.
Mezcal Negroni
Perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet, negronis are all the rage for good reason. But smoky mezcal adds just the right touch of seasonal fall flavor.
"Nashattan" Aged Manhattan
If you're a fan of Manhattans (and who isn't?), this Nashville take on the drink — aging it in a charred oak barrel — is well worth the effort. It also happens to be a great option for a cool autumn evening.
Hot Toddy with Charred Oranges
This cool-weather cocktail is perfect for evenings around a fire, indoors or out.
Pomegranate French 75
This autumn twist on the classic gin-and-Champagne-based French 75 cocktail subs lime juice for lemon and seasonal pomegranate molasses for simple syrup.
M5 Sidecar
Mary Heffernan of Five Mary Farms serves this classic cocktail to guests for Thanksgiving dinner. She uses her house-made bourbon, but your favorite brand will do.
Grapefruit, Honey, and Rosemary Smash
What do you do when fresh grapefruit is at its seasonal peak? Whip up a batch of this refreshing brunch cocktail that's made with grapefruit juice, rosemary, and vodka.
Orange-Thyme Old-Fashioned
An orange-thyme simple syrup adds a hint of sweetness to this classic cocktail. It's an easy fall cocktail to mix up for guests or a cozy autumn evening.
Cider Sidecar
Use fresh apple cider in this cozy fall cocktail.
Pomegranate-Rum Punch
This fruity concoction is made with hibiscus tea, blood orange juice, and sparkling wine. It just might be your new favorite fall rum cocktail.
The Humble Magnificent Cocktail
With flavors of cinnamon, apple, mint, and orange, this elegant mix (one of Carla Hall's favorites!) is like fall in a glass.
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