Autumn has officially arrived and it’s time for a new set of cocktails to hit our palates. The Gin & Tonics and Aperol Spritz that were perfect for summer heat, aren’t made to handle the chill fall breeze. We need something to prepare us for the transition to winter that isn’t Mulled Wine or a Hot Toddy. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 11 Autumn Cocktails that are perfect to sip while watching the leaves turn.
In order to make the list, we asked some of our favorite bartenders to put together some drinks that would complement the season. Whether you want something with apple, pear, Gin, Rum, Whiskey, Brandy, Sherry, or even something with a low ABV, you’ll find a drink on this list that’s perfect. And don’t worry if you’re not ready to give up your Aperol quite yet, we’ve got a couple cocktails in the list that use the Italian aperitif.
Here are 11 Autumn Cocktails To Sip As The Leaves Fall:
Whiskey Apple Sour
1.5 ounces Four Roses bourbon
1 oz Sagardoz Goxoa apple liqueur
1 ounce lemon juice
1 egg white
1 cup ice
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Directions
Add bourbon, apple liqueur, lemon juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker
Shake dry, then add the ice
Shake again, then strain into the serving glass
Garnish with sprinkles of cinnamon
A Perfect Pear (Created by Erin Campbell from Bar Clacson)
1 oz. Clear Creek Pear Brandy
1 oz. Avuá Amburana Cachaça
.75 oz. lemon juice
.75 oz. orgeat
Angostura aromatic bitters
Grated Nutmeg
Directions
Fill shaker with Brandy, Cachaca, lemon juice, orgeat, bitters, and ice.
Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients.
Strain into coupe or glass of your choosing.
Top with nutmeg.
Fall Spritz
1.5 oz. Aperol
1 oz. Sagardoz Goxoa apple liqueur
5 oz. Prosecco
Orange twist (for serving)
Directions
Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes and stir well.
Garnish with orange slice or twist.
My Sherry Amour (Created by Erin Campbell from Bar Clacson)
2 oz. Lustau Amontillado Sherry
.5 oz. Tempus Fugit Spirits Creme De Banane
.75 oz. lemon juice
.25 Dem
Top with Ardbeg Spritz
Directions
Fill shaker with Sherry, Creme De Banane, lemon juice, and Dem.
Whip to combine ingredients, but not over dilute.
Pour into highball over ice.
Top with Ardbeg Spritz
Washington and Jefferson (Created by Tobin Shea from Redbird)
¾ oz. Old Overholt
¾ oz. Laird’s Applejack
¾ oz. Appleton 12yr. Rum
¾ oz Broadbent Verdelho Madeira
¼ oz. Honey Syrup
4 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
Directions
Add Overholt, Applejack, Rum, Madeira, honey syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker
Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients
Strain into coupe or glass of your choosing
Top with bitters
Kent’s Creation With Salers Aperitif
2 oz London Dry Gin
¾ oz Lemon Juice
½ oz Salers Aperitif
½ oz Honey (4:1)
2 dashes Lavender Bitters
Lemon Twist for Garnish
Directions
Combine all the ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour over a large rock and serve with a twist. Praise the sweet gods for delivering Kent to us poor, thirsty masses. Start on round two immediately. Amen.
Tenerife Daiquiri (Created by Erin Campbell from Bar Clacson)
1 oz. Mount Gay Rum
1 oz. Lustau Amontillado Sherry
1 oz. Lime juice
1 oz. Simple
Directions
Fill shaker with Rum, Sherry, lime juice, simple, and ice.
Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients.
Strain into coupe.
Golden Vine Negroni
1 oz. Aperol
1 oz. Amaro Angeleno
1 oz. Boxer Gin
Orange
Directions
Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes and stir well.
Garnish with orange slice or twist.
Iceberg Float
3 oz Cold Brew Coffee (or chilled espresso)
1.5 oz Bourbon
1 oz Amaro Angeleno
1.5 oz Heavy Whipping Cream
Directions
Shake the coffee, bourbon, and Amaro Angeleno over ice until cold. Separately, vigorously shake the cream until it’s cold and light but not quite whipped. Pour the alcohol and coffee mixture into a highball glass over a single large rock, then float the cream on top without letting it dissolve too much. Call in sick, now and forever, amen.
Shipwreck Tiger Punch (Created by Erin Campbell from Bar Clacson)
1oz Plantation Stiggins Pineapple Rum
.5 Smith & Cross Rum
.5 Campari
.25 Ancho Reyes
.5 Lime
.5 Simple
1.5 Pineapple
Bittermens Xocolatl Molé Bitters
Directions
Fill shaker with Rum, Campari, Ancho Reyes, lime juice, simple, pineapple, and Molé Bitters.
Whip to combine ingredients, but not over dilute.
Pour into highball over ice.
Basque 75
1.5 oz. Gin
1 oz. Sagardoz Goxoa apple liqueur
½ oz. Lemon Juice
Top with Champagne
1 cup ice
Directions
Fill shaker with gin, lemon juice, apple liqueur, and ice.
Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients.
Strain into coupe or glass of your choosing
Top with Champagne
Garnish with a lemon twist