5 Fall Cocktail Recipes

The change in seasons changes tastebuds too. Try experimenting with fall cocktails at upcoming events and family gatherings. Fall flavors include apple, spices, mulled ciders, amber beers, and pumpkin--all of which can be incorporated into an autumn cocktail. Recipes abound, but here are some tried and true favorite fall cocktail recipes that will add a little spice to any occassion. 

Make the syrup first. Stir sugar into water until fully dissolved. Muddle the ginger root and add to sugar/water mixutre. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, then strain. Muddle sage gently in cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Add gin, lemon, ginger syrup, and orange water. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with orange twist.

Sweet Cherry Bomb

• 1 pint pitted cherries
• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 3 cups cola
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Combine cherries, half the whiskey, and one cup cola in a bowl; cover and chill. Let remaining cola flatten, then freeze in ice cube trays. Place five cherries and one teaspoon whiskey-cola mixture in a double rocks glass and muddle cherries. Mix remaining whiskey and lemon juice in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass with cherries and add 4 or 5 cola ice cubes.

Leaves are Falling Punch

• 2 tsp. whole cloves
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 64 ounce bottle apple-cranberry juice
• 4 medium purple and/or green plums, pitted and sliced
• 1 750 milliliter bottle of fruity white wine (Moscato or Riesling)
• Cheesecloth

Place cloves and vanilla bean in center of cheesecloth. Bring corners of cloth together and tie with clean string. Pour apple-cranberry juice into a large container or pitcher and add plums and spice bag. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag. Stir in white wine. Serve beverage and plum slices over ice. You can also serve warm in mugs.

Harvard Cooler

• 1 1/2 ounces Calvados (or American apple brandy)
• 1/3 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. simple syrup
• 1 1/2 ounces chilled club soda

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass, then stir in the club soda.

Cinnamon and Spice

• 1.5 oz Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice
• 3 oz Sparkling Apple Cider
• Small squeeze of lemon

Shake Kahlúa and lemon and top with sparkling cider. Garnish with dash of nutmeg or cinnamon and an apple slice.

Transform your favorite drink into a fall cocktail by adding flavored liquors, a dash of cinnamon or apple cider ice cubes. Or, experiment with craft beers which incorporate flavors like chocolate, licorice, pumpkin and a variety of herbs.