I’ll enjoy a fantastic cocktail bar any time of year, but something about fall invites popping into a warm place for a delicious drink. For the at-home mixologist (or person looking to save cash) these delicious cozy autumn cocktails will warm you right up.
Quick and Easy Cozy Autumn Cocktails
French 93
A French 75 (gin, lemon, sugar, and Prosecco) stands proudly at the top of my list of favorite cocktails. Sippable and delicious, I wanted a crisp, fall version for my wedding last year. I love Stem Ciders here in Denver, and I knew their pear cider would be the perfect fall addition. If you can’t find alcoholic pear cider, sparkling apple cider (such as Martinelli’s) works beautifully as well!
French 93
Equipment
- Cocktail jigger
- Cocktail swizzler or long spoon
- Champagne glass (for serving)
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz cinnamon simple syrup
- 3-4 oz sparkling pear cider (either alcoholic or non)
- cinnamon sugar (for the rim)
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a champagne glass with lemon juice, and roll it in cinnamon sugar.
- Add the gin, syrup, and lemon juice to the bottom of a champagne glass.
- Stir together well.
- Fill the rest of the way up with sparkling pear cider (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
Nutrition
Sweater Weather
The staying power of an espresso martini is expressed in its ubiquity in dive bars and cocktail lounges alike. Warm up the flavors of a traditional espresso martini with two key ingredients: tequila instead of vodka, and Licor 43. Tequila disappears under the flavor of the espresso for a smoother sip than vodka. Licor 43, a delicious Mexican vanilla liqueur, adds lovely autumnal dimension.
Sweater Weather
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail jigger
- Martini or coupe glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz High-quality gold tequila
- 1/2 oz Licor 43
- 1 oz Espresso
- 3-4 Whole coffee beans (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the beans in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well over ice, then strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with whole coffee beans on top.
Nutrition
Apple Hot Toddy
When cold and flu season hits, few things soothe a tired winter throat like a classic hot toddy. This seasonal fall take on a hot toddy uses the same basic principle, method, and liquor with an apple-y twist.
Apple Hot Toddy
Equipment
- Kettle
- Cocktail jigger
- Mug or highball (for serving)
Ingredients
- ¾ c hot apple cider
- 1 tbsp spiced simple syrup
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- cinnamon stick and/or piece of apple for garnish
Instructions
- Separately heat up your apple cider and a cup of water in your preferred method (kettle or microwave, we don’t judge here) at the same time.
- Pour the hot water into a mug or a highball glass. Immediately dump the water out, and while the glass is warm, pour in the simple syrup; swirling it around so that it coats the sides of the glass.
- Add your hot apple cider and whiskey. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or apple slice, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Complex and Delicious Cozy Autumn Cocktails
Hot Girl Fall
After a trip to the pumpkin patch, I wanted to use some nice new Mezcal and came up with this delicious libation. Even if you don’t like Mezcal, don’t worry! The strong smokiness blends wonderfully with the sweet pecan liqueur and smooth, frothy egg white. While the egg isn’t required, it adds a lovely creamy texture to the drink.
Hot Girl Fall
Equipment
- Cocktail jigger
- Cocktail strainer
- Cocktail shaker
- Lowball or coupe for serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz Pecan liqueur
- 2 oz Acidified apple cider (20 g citric acid per 1 liter of cider)
- Dash Angostura bitters
- 1 Egg white (or 50ml aquafaba)
- Dried lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice!
- Shake the cocktail with the liquids only (this is called dry shaking and gets the creamiest egg white)
- Add ice to the shaker and shake well again.
- Strain into your cocktail glass and garnish!
Notes
Nutrition
Maroon Cardigan
While the garnish for this drink might seem overwrought – don’t skip it! The smoky cloves and fresh lemon add an important flavor profile on the front end to make this drink deliciously complex. Low on alcohol, but high on flavor, this drink takes very little to enjoy.
Maroon Cardigan
Equipment
- Cocktail jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail strainer
- Coupe or lowball (for serving)
- Butane torch (or strong lighter)
Ingredients
- 1 oz Lairds Bonded Apple Brandy
- ½ oz Amaro (preferably Foro or Montenegro)
- ½ oz Chai liqueur
- ¼ oz Mulled wine syrup
- ½ oz Lemon juice
- ¾ oz Apple cider
- 4 Dashes Angostura
- Cinnamon sugar (for the rim)
- Fresh lemon slice
- 6 Whole cloves
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a lowball or coupe with lemon juice or apple cider and roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Add all other liquid ingredients to the cocktail shaker over ice, and shake well.
- Strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
- Stick cloves in a circle into the lemon slice, and lightly char with a butane torch or lighter. Place on top of the cocktail.
Nutrition
1oz Lairds Bonded Apple Brandy
.5oz Foro Amaro
.5oz Chai Liquor
.33oz(?) Mulled Wine Syrup
.5oz Lemon Juice
.75oz Cold Pressed Cider
4 Dashes Angostura
Ichabod Crane
Based on the “Sleepy Hollow” cocktail, this drink takes every ingredient and kicks it up a notch. The beautiful deep ruby color is perfect for a fancy halloween party. If you can’t find (or don’t want to make) pomegranate thyme simple syrup, grenadine with a sprig of thyme to garnish will do.
Ichabod Crane
Equipment
- Cocktail jigger
- Cocktail shaker and strainer
- Small fine mesh strainer
- Lowball glass or coupe to serve
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Bourbon
- 1 ½ oz Acidified apple cider (20g citric acid per liter of cider)
- ½ oz St. Elizabeth's allspice dram
- ½ oz Pomegranate thyme 2:1 simple syrup
- ¾ oz Amaro Montenegro (or Amaro Foro if you can find it)
- Dash Angostura bitters
- 1 sprig Fresh thyme (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake well over ice.
- Double strain into your cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.
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