From maple whiskey to pear bellinis, fall’s best cocktail lineup is here
As the heat of summer fades and crisp evenings roll in, autumn’s arrival brings more than just sweater weather and pumpkin patches—it’s prime cocktail season. Between football watch parties, cozy dinners, bonfires, and Thanksgiving gatherings, there are countless opportunities to toast the season with drinks that taste like fall in a glass. This is the time of year when mixology meets comfort—think smoky, spiced, and slightly sweet.
The flavors of fall tend to draw from nature’s pantry: apples, pears, cranberries, cinnamon, maple, and warm vanilla. Spirits like whiskey and tequila feel right at home next to these cozy ingredients, while gin, vodka, and champagne add brightness and balance. Whether you’re hosting friends or just want something seasonal to sip by the fire, these five fall-forward cocktails are guaranteed to impress.
RELATED: 5 Great Bourbons For Fall
Maple Whiskey Sour
Smooth, smoky, and perfectly balanced, this take on the classic sour captures the heart of autumn in one sip.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz pure maple syrup
- Dash of bitters
- Ice and lemon wheel for garnish
Create
- Combine and hake all ingredients with ice
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or cinnamon stick
The maple syrup replaces traditional sugar for a richer, seasonal flavor.
Spiced Tequila Cider
-
1½ oz reposado tequila
-
3 oz apple cider
-
½ oz lime juice
-
Dash of cinnamon or allspice
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Apple slice for garnish
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Shake all ingredients with ice
-
Pour into a short glass
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Garnish with an apple slice
Rosemary Gin Fizz
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2 oz gin
-
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
-
½ oz rosemary simple syrup (equal parts sugar, water, and rosemary)
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Soda water
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Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice
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Strain into a tall glass
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Top with soda water and garnish with a rosemary sprig
Cranberry Vodka Smash
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2 oz vodka
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2 oz cranberry juice
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½ oz lime juice
-
½ oz simple syrup
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Fresh cranberries and mint
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Muddle cranberries and mint in a shaker
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Add vodka, juices, and syrup with ice
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Shake and strain over fresh ice
Related: 5 Weird Whiskeys to Challenge Your Ideas About Whiskey
Autumn Bellini
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2 oz pear purée
-
½ oz lemon juice
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4 oz chilled champagne
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Pour pear purée and lemon juice into a champagne flute
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Top with chilled champagne
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Stir gently and garnish with a thin pear slice
