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Mike Krautter
Brisk strolls, gorgeous foliage, tailgate parties, trick-or-treaters, and apple-picking weekends—there are infinite reasons to adore autumn. Another highlight of sweater weather? It's the ideal backdrop for sipping fall cocktails that warm body and soul, along with celebratory drinks that pave the way for the holidays.
Kick off the season with drinks that make the most of fall's best-loved spices and flavors. Rich libations laced with cream and sweet liqueurs make that nip in the air more inviting, especially when served hot. Wine reveals its versatility when mulled, while cocktails made with pomegranate juice or cranberries lend a festive spirit. Here are our favorite fall cocktail recipes.
Cider Bourbon Cocktail
When the leaves turn shades of red and gold, reach for your cocktail shaker and give this seasonal drink a whirl. Apple cider and bourbon, plus a touch of lemon juice and ginger, equals autumnal bliss!.
Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
The tried-and-true Cosmo shakes off the cobwebs by subbing tart pomegranate juice for cranberry. Shake it up with vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice, and get the party started!
Apple Brandy and Cider
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Apple cider meets its match in this fall cocktail starring Applejack (or apple brandy), vermouth, a dash of bitters, and a twist of orange peel. Let the flavors sing.
Apple-Pie Spiced Cider
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Nothing says autumn like hot apple cider, especially when simmered with apple pie spices including cinnamon and allspice. Spike it with (what else but) Calvados—apple cider that's been distilled into brandy.
Maple-Bourbon Cider
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Apple cider takes center stage yet again, this time heightened with bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Cayenne pepper adds a hint of heat to offset the sweet flavors.
Bourbon and Ginger
There's nothing fancy about this cocktail—in fact, why mess with perfection? Long live bourbon whiskey and fizzy ginger ale, a combo for the ages.
Warm Cider and Rum Punch
When you need a big-batch cocktail that also doubles as a fabulous aroma diffuser, mix up a batch of this Warm Cider and Rum Punch.
Cranberry Mule
Turn a classic mule cocktail into an autumnal version with the addition of frozen cranberries and a cranberry simple syrup.
Brandy Alexander
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The cocktail equivalent of a cozy sweater—and a true indulgence—this delicious classic dates back to the early 20th century. Here, it's made with Kahlua, brandy, and cream, and capped with grated nutmeg.
Cinnamon Sour Cocktail
This recipe is a twist on the traditional whiskey sour, swapping in lime juice for the usual lemon and adding cinnamon for some warm spicy flair.
White Russian
A simple three-ingredient cocktail, these are dangerously sippable. A vodka base is blended with Kahlua and milk and served over ice.
Kir Royales
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The classic kir royale, a mix of Champagne with blackcurrant liqueur and creme de cassis, is a perfect fall cocktail with a seasonably appropriate beautiful red hue.
Cranberry-Blood Orange Spritz
There's something about cranberries in the fall. Their puckery flavor is perfect for a cocktail, especially this one where they're combined with blood orange, lime, ginger beer, and vodka for an irresistibly sippable drink.
Sour Cherry Old-Fashioned
The traditional old-fashioned gets a newfangled revamp with a splash of kirsch, a colorless spirit made from the fermented juice of morello cherries. Top it off with skewers of frozen sour cherries, and a lemon twist.
Bourbon Hot Toddy
This warming cold-weather cocktail uses honey to tame the usual bite of the bourbon. Lemon adds a pleasant zing. Serve hot in mugs for sipping.
Negroni
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Autumn was made for drinking bitter-meets-sweet Italian cocktails. Named for an early 20th-century Florentine, Count Camillo Negroni, this iconic drink packs a punch thanks to Campari, gin, and red vermouth.
Irish Coffee
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Coffee is simmered with whiskey, cocoa, and maple syrup, then topped with whipped cream for this decadent dessert-like drink.
Ginger Red-Wine Spritzer
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Pinot noir reveals its cocktail persona in this simple spritzer recipe. Kirsch brandy, effervescent ginger ale, and sprigs of aromatic rosemary complete the transformation.
Rosemary Gimlet
A homemade rosemary syrup has a lovely pine-like aroma to it, which will immediately make you think of fall. Combined with gin and lemon juice, it makes for a lovely holiday drink.
Easy Red Sangria
Full of apple and orange slices, this red wine-based sangria is better suited to cooler get-togethers than the sweltering summer ones that sangria usually brings to mind. Serve at a party, and it'll be gone in no time.
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