Falling for Cocktails With These Seasonal Autumn Drinks

6 min readSep 26, 2024

My favorite part of early autumn here in Florida is the anticipation of those 90-degree days leaving us and the temperature dipping to the 70s. While we don’t have leaves that change, I still like to put myself in the autumn spirit (forever a New Englander at heart) and experiment with seasonal cocktails that bring that cool crips feel to every sip I take. Fall flavors like apple, pear, cinnamon, and ginger blend beautifully into cocktails and can elevate any gathering or even a cozy evening tucked into a blanket while watching a movie while the wind whistles outside. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet evening with your significant other the drinks below are crafted to capture the essence of the season, offering a delicious balance of spice and flavor.

I love the flavors of fall with their hints of maple syrup, fresh herbs, and warming spices. The recipes below are not only delicious but also serve as a fun way to celebrate the change of season no matter WHERE you are (or what the temperature is), turning each sip into a small, indulgent moment.

Rosa Regale

Rosa Regale Julep

Ingredients:

2 oz Rosa Regale Sparkling White
1 oz vodka
1 oz pomegranate juice
1/2 oz mint simple syrup

Method: Shake over ice, strain into a glass filled with crushed ice and top with 2 oz of Rosa Regale Sparkling White. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and mint!

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Sugar Cookie Cosmo

Ingredients:

Rosa Regale Sparkling White
Cake Vodka

Method: Mix together equal parts chilled Sparkling White and cake vodka. Serve in a sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with a sugar cookie!

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REVIVALIST GIN

Salted Plum Sake Martini

Ingredients:

2oz Garden gin
1 oz joto umeshu plum sake
¼ oz dry vermouth
Garnish: Saline solution mist

Method:

Add all ingredients to mixing glass
Add ice, stir until perfect dilution
Strain into Nick & Nora glass
Garnish with Saline solution mist

Diplomatico Planas

Planas Chai Tea

Ingredients:

1.5 Parts Diplomatico Planas
2 Parts Hot Chai Tea
0.5 Part Coconut Syrup
0.25 Part Fresh Lemon Juice

Method: Garnish cinnamon powder

Proper No. Twelve

Proper Irish Apple Cider

Ingredients:

2 oz Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple
4 Cups Apple Cider
6 Sticks of Cinnamon
4 Tablespoons Nutmeg
10 Cloves
Orange Zest
Orange twist

Method: Over heat, combine Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple, apple cider, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves and fresh orange zest. Pour into a heat-protected mug, garnish with an orange twist and enjoy warm.

Herradura Reposado

The Horseshoe Carajillo

Ingredients:

1 oz Herradura Reposado
1 oz Licor 43
1.5 oz Fresh Espresso
0.5 oz Vanilla Syrup
1 dash Orange Bitters

Method: Shake all ingredients over ice. Fine strain into glass. Garnish with espresso beans, dehydrated Orange slice and Ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon to dust one half of the drink.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

1 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1oz Amaro
0.5oz Rich Honey Syrup
4 oz Hot Water

Method: Add ingredients to a heat-tolerant glass or mug. Stir in hot water to combine. Garnish with a lemon peel studded with cloves.

Fraser & Thompson Whiskey

F&T Whiskey Cobbler

Ingredients:

3 oz Fraser & Thompson Whiskey
1/2 to 1 ounce simple syrup, to taste
1 to 2 ounces club soda, to taste
Orange slice, lemon slice, or seasonal fruits for garnish

Method: In a wine or old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice, build the ingredients. Stir well and top with soda, if desired.Add the fruit garnishes (skewered or piled on top of the ice). Serve with a straw and enjoy.

Aspen Vodka

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(Photo by Nick Tininenko/Getty Images for Aspen Vodka)[/caption]

Aspen Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Aspen Vodka
1.5 oz Fresh watermelon juice
0.5 oz lime
0.5 oz Cointreau
Taijin, garnish
Lime wheel, garnish
Edible flower, garnish

Instructions: Rim a rocks glass with taijin and fill with a large ice cube. Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over a large cube. Garnish and serve.

Donnafugata Sedàra — Sicilia DOC Rosso

STYLE & BLEND: Red; Nero d’Avola, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and others
PRODUCTION AREA: Sicily
STORY: Dedicated to the irresistible and ambitious Angelica Sedàra with green eyes, the fascinating Claudia Cardinale, protagonist of the film “Il Gattopardo” (The Leopard) directed by Luchino Visconti. The label, also in the new version, refers to the Contessa Entellina winery.
TASTING NOTES: Ruby red in color, Sedàra offers a fruity bouquet with scents of blackberries and blueberries combined with a light spicy note of black pepper. The palate displays good structure with suave tannins and pleasant freshness. A soft red, versatile for food pairing, perfect for every day.
FOOD PAIRINGS: Serve with Lasagne, chicken cacciatore, BBQ, seared tuna, savory pies. Serve it in goblets of medium size; uncorked at the time of serving; excellent at 16–18°C (61–64°F).

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Halter Ranch 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Set along the westernmost boundaries of Paso Robles, California, surrounded by the wild, and wide-open Santa Lucia Mountain Range of the Central Coast, Halter Ranch is a 2,700-acre organic nature estate dedicated to land, art, and legendary terroir-driven wine made with the finest organic grapes. The emphasis on quality in the vineyard is complemented by a commitment to environmentally responsible grape-growing practices.

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of black cherry, red currant, cassis, and a touch of pencil lead. The palate is soft and rich, exuding flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of cocoa. Lengthy, integrated tannins lead to a seamless finish. Pair with roasted meats, BBQ, and reduction sauces.

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Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2022

Sonoma-Cutrer has been crafting wines since 1981 in the esteemed Russian River Valley growing region of Sonoma County, California. Today, their female-led winemaking team produces sustainable certified wines.

A beautiful pale straw color with a slight green hue, this 42nd consecutive vintage of Russian River Ranches shows phenomenal consistency of flavor. Known for being a fruit-forward wine, the aromas in this vintage offer lemon & lime zest with the added complexity of toasted almonds, white pepper, and a hint of white flowers. Fruit flavors shine through with crisp, zesty Meyer lemon, notes of green melon, Bosc pear, and minerality with a nice barrel spice finish. A long, tightly focused palate with a light mid-palate creaminess offers bright acidity balanced with a long juicy, elegant finish. Ready to drink now.