Fall marks the end of long, hot summer days. It also means the start of the harvest of many crops such as pumpkins and apples. Ironically, there’s just something warming about fall flavors coupled with the welcomed cool, crisp temperatures of autumn. To commemorate this uniquely satisfying season, we’ve compiled a collection of fall cocktail recipes.
Pumpkin Vodka Martini
If you’ve ever tasted pumpkin pie so good that you wished it were a drink, well, now it is. This fall twist on the classic martini tastes like pumpkin pie in a martini glass.
For one drink, you’ll need:
- 1 oz. Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka
- 1 oz. Baileys Pumpkin Spice
- Dash of pumpkin spice
- Demerara sugar (raw sugar)
To mix:
Shake the vodka and Baileys in a martini shaker with ice for at least one minute until very cold. Rim a chilled martini glass with demerara raw sugar. Strain mix into glass and sprinkle with pumpkin spice.
Crown Royal Regal Apple Cider
Hot apple cider likely adorns the memories of autumns passed for many, young and old. But spiked hot apple cider is a taste reserved for those of drinking age.
For one mug, you’ll need:
- 2 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple
- 4 cups apple cider or juice
- 6 sticks of cinnamon
- 4 tbsp nutmeg
- 10 cloves
- Orange zest
- Orange twist
To make:
Combine nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, and cider (or juice) into a pot or slow cooker. Simmer and stir for 15-30 minutes. Strain the hot liquid carefully. Throw away the solids but keep the liquid. Combine Crown Royal Regal Apple with four ounces of the hot spiced liquid cider mix. Garnish with an orange twist.
Autumn
This drink recipe, developed by bar veteran and writer, Naren Young, is named after the season because it tastes like fall.
For one drink, you’ll need:
- 1.5 oz. Laird’s Applejack
- 0.5 oz. amontillado sherry
- 0.25 oz. Clear Creek pear brandy
- 0.5 oz. maple syrup
- 3 dashes apple bitters
- Allspice tincture
- Dehydrated pear crisp
To mix:
Combine sherry, brandy, maple syrup, Laird’s Applejack, apple bitters, and ice in a glass and stir until well chilled. Strain into a glass over one large cube of ice. Spray with allspice tincture and garnish with pear crisp.
Southern Comfort Hot Cocoa
This drink is best saved for the chilliest of fall evenings and promises to warm your palate and your soul.
To make four servings, you’ll need:
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 cups milk
- 3 ounces Southern Comfort
- Whipped cream
To make:
In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, and cocoa powder. Heat milk in a separate saucepan over medium heat until hot, not boiling. Add a few spoons of the milk into the other saucepan with the cocoa mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon into a smooth paste. Slowly add the rest of the milk, gradually incorporating it into the cocoa. Simmer for five minutes on low heat. Next, add the
Southern Comfort and, with an immersion blender, froth until creamy with foam. Pour into pre-warmed glass mugs or cups and top with whipped cream.
Order your spirits online or come by the store, and get ready to enjoy these delicious fall cocktails!
