The Best Cocktails To Sip This Autumn

As nights grow longer, explore the best cocktails to ship this autumn — from maple bourbon Old Fashioneds to spiced vodka mules.

As the days grow shorter and the air takes on an unmistakable autumn chill, there’s no better time to trade in summer spritzes for something richer, cozier, and more complex. Cooler weather often shifts our drinking habits — research shows that people tend to favor darker spirits and warmer flavor profiles as temperatures drop. Think whiskey, bourbon, and spiced syrups instead of citrus and soda. Whether you’re unwinding by the fire or hosting a dinner with friends, classic and contemporary cocktails will make the season taste as good as it feels. Here are the best cocktails to sip this autumn.

RELATED: 5 Great Bourbons For Fall

The Gin Bramble

Created in London in the 1980s by bartender Dick Bradsell, the Bramble was inspired by British hedgerows filled with blackberries. Its balance of tart and sweet makes it an ideal transition cocktail for early autumn.

Ingredients

2 oz gin
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz blackberry liqueur

Create:

Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice
Strain over crushed ice in a glass
Drizzle blackberry liqueur on top

The Maple Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 1800s and is often called the “original cocktail.” The maple version adds a seasonal twist that nods to New England’s harvest traditions while giving the drink a richer, slightly smoky sweetness.

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon
½ oz pure maple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel for garnish

Create

Combine ingredienta with ice and stir
Strain into a rocks glass
Garnish with orange peel

The Irish Coffee

Invented in the 1940s by chef Joe Sheridan at an Irish airport to welcome cold, weary travelers, Irish Coffee remains a beloved way to warm up from the inside out.

Ingredients

1½ oz Irish whiskey
4 oz hot coffee
1 tsp brown sugar
Fresh whipped cream

Create

Stir whiskey and sugar into hot coffee
Top with lightly whipped cream

The Spiced Cranberry Mule

A twist on the 1940s Moscow Mule — the cocktail that helped make vodka popular in America — this version introduces cranberry and spice, giving it a distinct autumn edge.

Ingredients

2 oz vodka
2 oz cranberry juice
½ oz lime juice
Ginger beer
Dash of cinnamon or clove

Create

Build over ice in a copper mug
Top with ginger beer and stir gently
Garnish with a lime wedge or cranberries

The Tequila Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy’s roots trace back to 18th-century Scotland as a medicinal drink. Swapping in tequila gives it a warm, herbal complexity and an unexpected south-of-the-border kick.

Ingredients

1½ oz reposado tequila
½ oz honey
½ oz lemon juice
4 oz hot water
Cinnamon stick for garnish

Create

Combine tequila, honey, and lemon juice in a mug
Add hot water and stir until honey dissolves
Garnish with a cinnamon stick

Whether you’re partial to whiskey’s warmth, gin’s botanical brightness, or tequila’s smooth spice, autumn is the ideal time to explore deeper flavors. So pour yourself a glass, wrap up in your favorite sweater, and toast to the cozy months ahead.

The Best Cocktails To Sip This Autumn

As nights grow longer, explore the best cocktails to ship this autumn — from maple bourbon Old Fashioneds to spiced vodka mules.

The Maple Old Fashioned

The Irish Coffee

The Spiced Cranberry Mule

The Tequila Hot Toddy

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