As the leaves turn golden, the air grows crisp, and pumpkin spice EVERYTHING takes over, our palates naturally shift. Gone are the light, refreshing summer spritzes, replaced by a yearning for cozier, more complex flavors. Autumn cocktails are all about warmth, spice, and the rich bounty of the season.
Ready to trade in your rosé for rye? We've gathered 4 must-try autumn cocktail recipes that are perfect for sipping by the fire, at a fall gathering, or just enjoying on a cool evening. Plus, we'll tell you the essential gear you need to craft them like a pro!
1. The Spiced Apple Old Fashioned
A fall twist on a timeless classic. The Spiced Apple Old Fashioned infuses the comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon into a robust whiskey base.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
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0.5 oz Spiced Apple Simple Syrup (make your own with apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves)
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2 dashes Angostura Bitters
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Garnish: Apple slice or cinnamon stick
Method: Combine whiskey, spiced apple syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass. Add a large ice cube and stir well with your bar spoon until thoroughly chilled. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.
Gear You Need:
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Mixing Glass: For precise stirring. [Link to Product: Professional Mixing Glass]
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Bar Spoon: Essential for proper dilution and chilling. [Link to Product: Classic Twisted Bar Spoon]
2. The Cranberry Gin Fizz
Bright, tart, and effervescent, this gin fizz gets a beautiful autumn hue and flavor from fresh cranberry.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Gin
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1 oz Fresh Cranberry Juice (unsweetened)
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0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
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0.5 oz Simple Syrup
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1 Egg White (optional, for a creamier texture)
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Top with Club Soda
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Garnish: Rosemary sprig & fresh cranberries
Method: Combine gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) in a shaker without ice and dry shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to emulsify the egg white. Add ice and shake again until thoroughly chilled. Double strain into a chilled highball glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries.
Gear You Need:
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Cocktail Shaker: For proper aeration and chilling. [Link to Product: Boston Shaker Set]
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Fine Mesh Strainer: Crucial for removing ice shards and achieving a smooth texture (especially with egg white). [Link to Product: Fine Mesh Strainer]
3. The Maple Pecan Manhattan
A rich and nutty take on the classic Manhattan, perfect for warming up on a chilly evening.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Rye Whiskey
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1 oz Sweet Vermouth
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0.5 oz Maple Pecan Liqueur (or homemade maple simple syrup with a few drops of pecan extract)
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2 dashes Angostura Bitters
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Garnish: Brandied cherry & pecan half
Method: Combine rye, sweet vermouth, maple pecan liqueur, and bitters in a mixing glass. Add a large ice cube and stir well with your bar spoon until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry and a pecan half.
Gear You Need:
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Mixing Glass: For stirring spirit-forward drinks. [Link to Product: Professional Mixing Glass]
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Jigger: For precise measurement of each ingredient. [Link to Product: Dual-Sided Stainless Steel Jigger]
4. The Fig & Thyme Smash
An earthy, sweet, and herbaceous cocktail that celebrates the less common, but equally delicious, flavors of fall.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Bourbon
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1 large Fresh Fig, quartered
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2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
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0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
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0.5 oz Honey Syrup (1:1 honey and hot water)
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Garnish: Fig slice & thyme sprig
Method: In a shaker, gently muddle the quartered fig and one sprig of thyme. Add bourbon, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ice. Shake well until thoroughly chilled. Double strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a fig slice and a fresh thyme sprig.
Gear You Need:
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Muddler: To gently release the flavors of figs and thyme. [Link to Product: Ergonomic Wooden Muddler]
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Cocktail Shaker: For combining and chilling the ingredients. [Link to Product: Boston Shaker Set]
These autumn cocktails are more than just delicious; they're an invitation to embrace the flavors and coziness of the season. With the right ingredients and the proper bar tools, you'll be shaking and stirring your way to autumnal bliss in no time!
