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 Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones4/31Mulled Apple Cider With Orange and Ginger
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo5/31Brown Derby
This classic 3-ingredient bourbon cocktail requires just the whiskey, grapefruit juice, and honey.
Photo by Eric Medsker6/31Cynar-Berry Spritz
Aperol feels summery, but this spritz, made with bittersweet Cynar and cranberry, is ideal for a fall happy hour.
Photo by Madelynne Boykin7/31The 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 Travis Rainey, Prop styling by Sean Dooley, Food styling by Taneka Morris8/31Hot 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.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou9/31Turmeric-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 Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton12/31Penicillin
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 Anderson13/31Thanksgiving Sangria
Photo by Shutterstock14/31The 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.
