50 Fall Cocktails That Are Cozy, Refreshing and Oh-So-Seasonal
It’s time to put away the rosé (see you next June) and retire those spritzy spiked seltzers you’ve been drinking all summer. Fall is here, and with it, a new set of libations to warm you up from the inside out. Think maple New York sours, cider spiked with bourbon and pumpkin vodka drinks that taste better than pie. Here, 50 fall cocktails to make this season…then sip beside a crackling fire.
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1. Chai Hot Toddy
The warm spices in chai tea (think cinnamon and ginger) plus rum make this the ultimate warming cocktail for a cozy fall night.
2. Cranberry Cobbler Smash
It’s ideal for Thanksgiving, but tasty enough that we’re not waiting for November to make one.
3. Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned
Once you’ve made a batch of the spiced rosemary and honey simple syrup, this sipper is easy to stir up.
4. Maple New York Sour
What makes it a New York sour? The cozy, warming red wine float on top.
5. Adult Hot Chocolate
When the cocoa is spiked with Frangelico, bourbon and Irish cream, the kids are not invited.
6. Pumpkin Spice Kentucky Mule
It’s called a Kentucky mule because it’s made with bourbon instead of vodka. (But don’t skip the pumpkin butter or copper mugs.)
7. Apple Cider Sangria
Bonus points if you make your own apple cider.
8. Hot Buttered Rum
This tastes like fall in a glass. Don’t forget the cinnamon sticks for stirring.
9. Mulled Cider
This boozy beverage is as simple as simmering apple cider with a few choice spices and divvying it into mugs. An added benefit? Your home will smell amazing.
10. Ruby Vermouth Spritzers
Think of this as the fall alternative to summer’s Aperol spritz.
11. Classic Eggnog
We like to start ’nog season as early as possible. The booze of choice varies by region, so try it with brandy, cognac, whiskey, rum or our favorite, bourbon.
12. Slow-Cooker Cranberry Hot Toddy
“Big batch” and “cocktail party” go hand in hand. Instead of playing bartender, pour everything into your Crockpot (and never look back).
13. Slow-Cooker Spiked Cinnamon Lattes
With your handy slow cooker, you can leave this boozy brew on a low setting and it’ll stay warm for hours.
14. Mulled Wine Sangria
Here’s proof that sangria is just as fit for fall as it is for summer. (Oh, and there’s brandy in there too.)
15. Spiced Apple Margaritas
It’s as easy to make and easy to drink as the original. Swap the silver tequila for reposado, which is slightly aged, and add cider with the lime juice to fall-ify it.
16. Maple Whiskey Sours
If you’re more interested in a refreshing fall drink that a warming one, this has your name written all over it. Even better, it contains only five ingredients.
17. Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
Um, they definitely don’t serve this at the coffee place down the street.
18. Fig Dark and Stormy
Fall is officially fig season, and the fruit happens to be ideal for this rum, lime and ginger beer concoction.
19. Honeycrisp and Bourbon Spiced Cider
If you can’t find Honeycrisp apple cider, any kind will do (but it’s worth seeking out).
20. Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule
It’s tart, spritzy and just what we want on a cool fall evening. The vodka doesn’t hurt either.
21. Spiced Orange Spritzer
Switching it up from apple cider? This bubbly orange number will do the trick. (Psst: It has prosecco.)
22. Smoky Mezcal Apple Cider Margarita
Mezcal is like tequila’s mysterious cousin whose favorite season is—you guessed it—fall. Paired with sweet cider, it makes a mean autumnal drink.
23. Bourbon Ginger Cider Cocktails
The best way to enjoy cider? Spiked, in our humble opinion.
24. Cranberry Bourbon Sour
This beverage is sweetened with a homemade maple-cranberry simple syrup (swoon). It looks fancy, but it’s actually really easy to make.
25. Caramel Apple Old Fashioned
If you want your drink to be less sweet, just add more whiskey.
26. Persimmon Old Fashioned
Persimmons are sweet, bright and just the thing to modernize this classic cocktail. (They’re also in season in late fall.)
27. Bourbon Apple Cider Fizz
Is it really fall if you’re not adding apple cider to every single drink?
28. Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Smash
Three words: pumpkin pie syrup.
29. Maple Old Fashioned
This is just like a regular old fashioned, but with smoky maple syrup instead of a sugar cube—genius.
30. Apple Pie Moonshine
Careful, this stuff is potent (and it gets better the longer it sits).
31. Ciderhouse Pear Cocktail
Find your nearest fireside and cozy up with one of these babies.
32. Pear and Cranberry Champagne Cocktails
You don’t need a special occasion to pop a bottle of bubbly. Add homemade pear-cranberry puree, and it’s like fall in a glass.
33. Autumn Apple Sangria
It’s cozy, tasty and downright gorgeous. Don’t save it just for a cocktail party.
34. Pomegranate Orange Champagne Cocktails
Further proof that Champagne goes with everything and every season.
35. Apple Cider Mojitos
We love a fall spin on a traditional cocktail. The homemade cinnamon simple syrup is a breeze to make, too.
36. Honeycrisp Crush
Honeycrisps are the ideal mix of sweet, tart, crisp and refreshing, so it’s only natural that they make a stellar drink. This one has ginger beer and vodka for a little kick.
37. Spiced Bourbon Punch
This punch bowl is all dressed up and ready to party.
38. Spiced Mulled Wine
Grab a bottle of red wine and a few warm spices and set your timer for 20 minutes.
39. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
We think we’ll be drinking this one long after fall is over.
40. Cranberry Thyme Sparklers
Sure, you could skip the alcohol and make these into mocktails. But a splash of vodka would be welcome too.
41. Pumpkin Cocktail
It’s only a few ingredients, so you can easily make a single cocktail or a whole batch.
42. Hot Buttered Bourbon
Pairs well with a flannel shirt and a chunky knit throw.
43. Pumpkin Eggnog with Bourbon
An eggnog lover and a pumpkin lover walk into the bar.
44. Cranberry Pear Bourbon Cocktail
You could use any kind of whiskey you like and this would still be delicious.
45. Apple Cider Prosecco Spritz
Our motto: When in doubt, add bubbles.
46. Chocolate Pecan Cream Martini
It’s like a cross between a Halloween candy and a Thanksgiving pie (and we’re not mad about that at all).
47. Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate
If you don’t make a bit of a mess, it means you haven’t drizzled on enough caramel sauce.
48. Maple Ginger Hot Toddy
Hot toddies might not actually be healing, but they taste like a warm hug in a cup.
49. Cranberry Apple Sangria
Wanna know a secret? You can make it entirely ahead of party time.
50. Apple Cider Mimosa
This calls for fall brunch on the porch. Pecan pie scones, anyone?
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