The seasons aren’t the only things that are beginning to change — so are our taste buds. As the warm evenings of summer become the cool nights of fall, it only makes sense that our favorite cocktails match the changing temperatures. With sweater weather officially upon us, it’s time to welcome apples, pears, and of course, pumpkin, back into our cocktail Rolodex. This season, relax and unwind with a few of these fall inspired cocktails.
Apple Cider Mimosas
What you’ll need…
- 1 bottle of champagne
- 1 cup of apple cider
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Dress up the rim of your champagne flute by dipping it in water and then your mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Lastly, top it off with a thin apple slice.
Whiskey Sour
What you’ll need…
- 5 oz Bourbon
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Your choice of garnishes
Forget the mini umbrellas, today we’re garnishing this traditional favorite with a few rum soaked cherries and a thinly curled orange slice.
Pumpkin Spice Margarita
What you’ll need…
- 5 parts tequila
- 3 parts cream
- .5 part pumpkin spice syrup
- 1 part simple syrup
- .5 tsp vanilla extract
- .25 tsp cinnamon
- .25 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Because it’s not really fall until you’ve had pumpkin spice!
Apple Pie Vodka Tonic
What you’ll need…
- 1 red apple, sliced
- 1 green apple, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups vodka
- ½ cup tonic water
Combine all of your ingredients into a large mason jar and leave them to soak overnight. The next afternoon, you’ll have a drink that’s, dare we say, better than apple pie itself!
Pear Sour
What you’ll need…
- 2 oz pear brandy
- Fresh pear juice
- .75 oz lemon juice
- .5 oz simple syrup
- 1 pear
Combine your brandy, pear and lemon juice, and syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice and give it a good shake before pouring. You can also add an egg white to the mix, just make sure to shake it for a bit longer.
Apple Caramel Cups
What you’ll need…
- One apple per person
- 1 lemon, sliced into wedges
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ¼ cup of cinnamon-sugar
- 1 large bottle of Moscato
- 1 cup green apple vodka
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda
If you’re a fan of apples as much as we are, you’ll love this one! Cut the top of your apple off and core it. Spread a bit of lemon juice on the inside of each apple (to prevent them from browning) and coat the rims in cinnamon sugar and caramel sauce. Once all of your ingredients are mixed, pour them into each hollowed out apple!
Old-Fashioned Maple Bourbon
What you’ll need…
- 2 tsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. water
- 1 dash bitters
- 1 orange peel
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1 cherry, for garnish
If that’s a little too bitter for you, throw in a few cinnamon sticks as well!
Cranberry Margaritas
What you’ll need…
- 1 cup of ice
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 lime
- 1 ½ tbsp. Cranberry sauce
- 1 tsp. Unsweetened honey
- Fresh cranberries
Once your margarita glass has been rimmed with cinnamon, strain all of your already shaken ingredients into your glass, garnish it with a few cranberries, and get ready to toast to fall!
Bourbon Infused Apple Pie Shots
What you’ll need…
- Apples, thinly sliced
- Cinnamon sticks
- Nutmeg
- Bourbon
Just four ingredients and you’ve got drinks and dessert all in one!
And what goes perfectly with fall’s favorite cocktails? Some fall inspired fruit!
