31 Fall Cocktails to Sip Your Way Through Cozy Season
It feels like you were just cooling off with a spritz at the height of summer. But then, with a flick of the switch, it’s time for fall cocktails. That means stirred drinks are back in season and fall flavors retake the spotlight. Below you’ll find riffs on mulled cider and lots of drinks featuring cranberry and pomegranate, plus a few favorite whiskey cocktails and large-format drinks for fall entertaining. Sweep those fallen leaves to the side and fill a punch bowl so that everyone can easily serve themselves, or get that cocktail shaker ready for smaller groups.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou1/31Paradise Apple
We love simple fall cocktails, but sometimes you want an autumnal drink that's truly special. This recipe from Lynnette Marrero is absolutely worth the effort. The white wine in the mix evokes zesty citrus, fragrant peach, and tart apples—all flavors that are echoed by the fresh apple cider and bourbon in the mix. Lemon juice and elderflower liqueur bring the whole thing together, and heighten its luscious intensity. Garnish with dehydrated apple slices.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton. Glassware by Riedel.2/31
Manhattan
Manhattans love cool weather. This simple, classic cocktail is one of those fall drinks that rewards experimentation. Use it as a way to taste through a wide range of whiskey and vermouth options.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou3/31
Lipstick Memory
This bracing autumn cocktail starts with extra-tart unsweetened 100% cranberry juice—this isn't the time for cran cocktail.
- Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo4/31
Brown Derby
This classic 3-ingredient bourbon cocktail requires just the whiskey, grapefruit juice, and honey.
- Photo by Eric Medsker5/31
Cynar-Berry Spritz
Aperol feels summery, but this spritz, made with bittersweet Cynar and cranberry, is ideal for a fall happy hour.
- Photo by Madelynne Boykin6/31
The Redenbacher Old-Fashioned
The rum in this play on the classic old fashioned is infused with buttery popcorn. Make this recipe for movie night—unless, of course, you're watching The Big Lebowski. Then White Russians are in order.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou7/31
Turmeric-Cumin Margarita
Epi's Rachel Gurjar designed this drink as a part of her Diwali menu, but it's a delicious option for any time. Make it with blanco tequila, triple sec, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, cumin, salt, and turmeric.
- Photo by Kristin Teig8/31
Sherry and Vermouth
This two-ingredient cocktail is best served in a double rocks glass over a nice, large chunk of ice.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton10/31
Penicillin
A gingery, smoky take on the whiskey sour is just right for sipping while you enjoy a crisp evening and friends gathered around a fire pit.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson11/31
Thanksgiving Sangria
Okay, it's called a Thanksgiving sangria recipe, but you can sip this easy mix of pomegranate juice, spiced rum, sparkling apple cider, and red wine whenever the occasion calls for a big-batch drink, including your Halloween party.
- Photo by Shutterstock12/31
The Celtic Buck
Pear nectar and ginger ale bring all the fall feels to this drink. Instead of a basic simple syrup, you'll infuse the equal-parts mix of sugar and water with whole allspice berries.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne13/31
Jungle Bird
Bold Campari and blackstrap rum enrich this tart, tangy, rich, and slightly bitter tiki cocktail. Click through to read more about Jungle Bird history and how to make the best version.
- Photo by Colin Price14/31
Red Hook Cocktail
If you're a fan of Manhattans searching for the best fall cocktails, try this stirred drink, which pairs maraschino liqueur and bitter Punt e Mes with the rye.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne15/31
Cosmopolitan
On a fall day when nothing but cranberry drinks will do, there's always the Cosmo.
- Photograph by Kelly Puleio16/31
Tingly Pomegranate Rum Punch
Sichuan peppercorns give this pomegranate punch a little buzz. Have fun with the garnishes—lemon wheels and pulled-apart pomegranates look great, and black and pink peppercorns are fun, too.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo17/31
Remember the Alimony
Instead of Campari and vermouth, this Negroni riff uses vegetal Cynar and crisp fino sherry. It's a bit softer and richer than the original—but it's just as easy to make at home.
- Photo by Julie Soefer18/31
Old Pepper
If you like your fall cocktails spicy, warm up with this slightly savory concoction made with bourbon, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton19/31
Apples and Oranges
We promise, you've never had mulled cider this good. This version is spiked with Amaro Averna and orangey Grand Marnier, and enriched with salted butter. It's like the most luxurious caramel apple in beverage form.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo20/31
Cherry and Smoke
The campfire smokiness of the Lapsang Souchong (which is brewed strong, so that the tannins intensify) is a great counterpoint to tart cherry juice in this non-alcoholic toddy.
- Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo21/31
Hot Toddy
The first evening that's crisp enough for hot drinks calls for the classic. Make it with bourbon, brandy, or Scotch, sweetened with honey and garnished with a lemon twist that's pierced with cloves.
- Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo22/31
Ginger and Tamarind Refresher
Gingery drinks are always crowd-pleasers, especially when there's tangy tamarind in the mix.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne23/31
Aperitif Scorpion Bowls
This easy low-ABV amaro punch can be made in a single serving or batched for a crowd in a punch bowl or pitcher.
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Gin-Gin Mule
This fall drink, a more flavorful cousin of the Moscow Mule, is a little spicy and very refreshing, thanks to the combo of ginger beer and fresh mint.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton25/31
Turmeric Hot Toddy
This spin on the hot toddy from bartender Claire Sprouse is wonderfully savory from the combination of earthy turmeric and nutty Amontillado sherry. You can choose your own path in terms of the base spirit—it's delicious with bourbon, aged rum, Scotch, mezcal, or gin.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones26/31
Mulled Apple Cider With Orange and Ginger
- Eric Medsker Photography27/31
Retox Cocktail
Make your fall margarita a little spicy with this luscious maple-sweetened version, which has a touch of fresh jalapeño.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Pearl Jones28/31
Shirley Tonic
Make a little spiced homemade grenadine using pomegranate juice, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and whole cloves, then top with club soda and a lemon twist for a festive nonalcoholic delight. This is a really nice option for a fall brunch, alongside pumpkin muffins or coffee cake.
- Photo by Kelly Puleio29/31
Spanish Penny
You probably won't need to go to the store for this simple fall cocktail recipe—all it requires is rye whiskey, maple syrup, and a bit of sherry vinegar.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova30/31
Applejack Sour
Apple brandy is delicious at any time of year—have you tried this summery Applejack Fix?—but many people reach for it especially in fall. Here's a great easy recipe for using applejack in a simple sour.
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Hot Buttered Rum
Once you've sipped your way through this list of fall cocktails, it may be time to turn to winter drinks, like Gourmet's go-to hot buttered rum, made with a touch of cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg.
Maggie Hoffman
Kayla Stewart
Danny Chau
Al Sotack
Maggie Hoffman
