17 Best Fall Cocktails

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a delicious fall cocktail in hand. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, gathering with friends for a cozy evening, or simply enjoying a quiet night by the roaring fire, these cocktail recipe are sure to warm your spirits. My curated list features a variety of bourbon, vodka, wine, prosecco, gin, cider, whiskey, and tequila-based cocktails, each bringing the rich and comforting flavors of autumn to your glass.

Let’s jump straight into the cocktail recipes you’ll love this fall… 

1. Apple Cider Margarita

This fall twist on the classic margarita features apple cider, tequila, and a cinnamon sugar rim. It’s a refreshing cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, making it an ideal drink for autumn festivities.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 2 oz apple cider
• 1 oz lime juice
• Cinnamon sugar (for rimming the glass)
• Apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, apple cider, and lime juice with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

2. Pumpkin Spice White Russian

A cozy version of the White Russian, this cocktail incorporates pumpkin spice syrup and a dash of cinnamon, creating a creamy, spiced drink that’s perfect for chilly fall nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 1 oz pumpkin spice syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream
• Cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, and pumpkin spice syrup.
3. Top with heavy cream and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

3. Maple Bourbon Smash

Rich and warming, the Maple Bourbon Smash combines bourbon, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice for a cocktail that’s sweet, tangy, and perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz maple syrup
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 2-3 fresh mint leaves
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the mint leaves with lemon juice and maple syrup.
2. Add bourbon and ice, then shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

4. Spiced Pear Martini

This sophisticated martini is made with pear vodka, spiced simple syrup, and a splash of lemon. It’s a smooth and elegant drink with a hint of spice, making it perfect for fall evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pear vodka
• 1 oz spiced simple syrup (made with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice)
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• Pear slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine pear vodka, spiced simple syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a pear slice.

5. Hot Toddy

A traditional warming drink, the Hot Toddy is made with whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water. It’s perfect for chilly evenings and can even help soothe a sore throat.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 oz hot water
• Lemon slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mug, combine whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
2. Top with hot water and stir until honey is dissolved.
3. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick.

6. Cranberry Mule

A festive take on the Moscow Mule, this cocktail features cranberry juice, vodka, and ginger beer. It’s a refreshing and slightly tart drink that’s perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Lime wedge and cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug or a glass with ice.
2. Add vodka and cranberry juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and cranberries.

7. Fig and Thyme Prosecco

This sparkling cocktail combines fresh fig syrup, thyme, and prosecco for a sophisticated touch. It’s a light and bubbly drink with a hint of sweetness and herbal notes.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz fig syrup
• 1 small sprig of thyme
• 4 oz prosecco
• Fig slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, add fig syrup and thyme.
2. Top with prosecco and stir gently.
3. Garnish with a fig slice.

8. Caramel Apple Old Fashioned

A fall-inspired Old Fashioned, this cocktail blends apple cider, caramel syrup, and bourbon. It’s a sweet and warming drink, perfect for sipping by the fire.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz apple cider
• 0.5 oz caramel syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Apple slice and caramel candy for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine bourbon, apple cider, caramel syrup, and bitters.
2. Stir well and add ice.
3. Garnish with an apple slice and a caramel candy.

9. Pomegranate Gin Fizz

A refreshing cocktail with gin, pomegranate juice, and a splash of club soda. It’s a crisp and tart drink that’s perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz club soda
• Pomegranate seeds and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with club soda and stir gently.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a mint sprig.

10. Smoky Maple Collins

A twist on the classic Tom Collins, this cocktail features smoky mezcal, maple syrup, and lemon juice. It’s a unique and flavorful drink with a hint of sweetness and smoke.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz mezcal
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz maple syrup
• 2 oz club soda
• Lemon wheel and thyme sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine mezcal, lemon juice, and maple syrup with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with club soda and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a thyme sprig.

11. Ginger Snap

A spicy and sweet cocktail made with ginger liqueur, bourbon, and a hint of molasses. It’s a warming drink that’s perfect for the cooler months.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz ginger liqueur
• 0.5 oz molasses
• 1 dash bitters
• Ginger slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, ginger liqueur, molasses, and bitters with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a ginger slice.

12. Spiced Rum Punch

A crowd-pleasing punch with spiced rum, citrus juices, and a touch of nutmeg. It’s a festive and warming drink that’s perfect for fall parties.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz spiced rum
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine spiced rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

13. Autumn Sangria

A fall version of sangria with red wine, apple cider, and seasonal fruits like apples and pears. It’s a flavorful and fruity drink that’s perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz red wine
• 2 oz apple cider
• 1 oz brandy
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 pear, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine red wine, apple cider, brandy, apple slices, pear slices, and cinnamon stick.
2. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Serve over ice.

14. Pumpkin Pie Martini

A dessert-like cocktail with vanilla vodka, pumpkin liqueur, and a graham cracker rim. It’s a creamy and indulgent drink that’s perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz pumpkin liqueur
• 1 oz Irish cream liqueur
• Crushed graham crackers for rimming
• Whipped cream and cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a martini glass with crushed graham crackers.
2. In a shaker, combine vanilla vodka, pumpkin liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

15. Cinnamon Bourbon Sour

A warming sour cocktail with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and cinnamon syrup. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz cinnamon syrup
• Lemon wheel and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and cinnamon syrup with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick.

16. Applejack Old Fashioned

A classic Old Fashioned made with applejack, bitters, and a twist of orange. It’s a simple yet flavorful cocktail that’s perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz applejack
• 1 sugar cube
• 2 dashes bitters
• Orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the sugar cube and bitters.
2. Add ice and applejack.
3. Stir well and garnish with an orange twist.

17. Maple Pecan Old Fashioned

A nutty and sweet Old Fashioned with pecan-infused bourbon and maple syrup. It’s a rich and indulgent drink that’s perfect for the cooler months.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pecan-infused bourbon
• 0.5 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Pecan and orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine pecan-infused bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
2. Add ice and stir well.
3. Garnish with a pecan and an orange twist.

These fall cocktail recipes are sure to bring warmth and joy to your autumn gatherings. Try them all and find your favorites!