8 Cozy Fall Cocktails to Make This Season

Written by: Cora Gold

Autumn is the coziest time of year. There’s nothing better than sliding into a pair of fuzzy socks and curling up under a chunky knit blanket with a cocktail. 

Treat yourself to something extra delicious this season with cozy fall drink recipes that will become your newest annual tradition. You might even introduce yourself to new flavor blends you wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

Essential Factors in All Fall Cocktail Recipes

Any fall recipe worth your time has to evoke the season with your senses. You’ll know you’ve found potential winners when each recipe includes factors like:

• Seasonal fruits

• Autumn spices

• Flavors that warm your belly

The time for spiked slushies by the pool is long gone. Now’s your chance to indulge in seasonal creations that make autumn evenings a bit more magical.

Best Fall Cocktail Recipes of 2024

Start your journey into autumn cocktails with a few selections from this year’s best creations. Whether you’ve tried similar recipes or want to enjoy something new, you’ll live your best fall life by trying recipes that celebrate the season.

1. Pumpkin Hot Buttered Rum

Buttered rum is a classic cocktail base that’s easy to turn into an autumn dream. This recipe combines pumpkin puree with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and chai spices. Top it with whipped cream for a delectable treat. As you enjoy each sugary sip, the pumpkin’s nutrients will provide anti-ulcerative benefits alongside other health-boosting properties.

2. Spiked Apple Sake Cocktail

Inviting friends over for a fall get-together calls for some apple-flavored fun. Make a few spiked apple cocktails with sake, cinnamon and fresh apple cider. You could garnish it with toasted marshmallows or apple slices cut into fun shapes. It’s the ultimate treat to make any autumn party extra fun.

3. Pear and Cranberry Bellini

Pears and cranberries are fall fruits that people look forward to each year. Combine their sweet and tart flavor profiles in a simple bellini recipe. Bake the fruit to soften it, blend it in a food processor and combine the zesty mixture with dry champagne. Not sure if you want to drink it all right then? Place your fruit mixture in the freezer and defrost it whenever you’re ready for a chilled cocktail.

4. Pomegranate Whiskey Sour

Pumpkin gets all the attention when fall arrives, but pomegranates are another seasonal fruit you can add to your dinners this fall. Pour pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker with whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg whites. Shake until combined and pour into a chilled glass for an autumn whiskey sour. This cocktail will warm your bones, while the pomegranate juice reduces the oxidative stress that can weaken your immune system during flu season.

5. Bourbon Chai Hot Toddy

There’s nothing like chai and cinnamon in the fall. The mix of cardamom and cloves delights the taste buds, while a dusting of cinnamon makes your beverage taste like autumn joy.

Make a bourbon chai hot toddy when you need something to warm you or want a traditional beverage for your sore throat. It uses all the same ingredients as a traditional hot toddy plus a chai tea bag that should steep in your mug for at least three to four minutes.

6. Horchata Spiked Latte

Horchata is a beloved plant-based milk sweetened with sugar and cinnamon. Get inspired by the traditional Mexican drink by adding it to your next spiked latte. Mix it with vodka, your favorite coffee and frothed warm milk. It’s an excellent cocktail for autumn brunches on the weekends or a Halloween morning pick-me-up if you’ve got the day off.

7. Pumpkin Spice Margarita

No fall experience would feel complete without a pumpkin spice cocktail. Use the classic pumpkin pie spice blend to make a simple syrup and add it to a pumpkin puree margarita. You can cover the rim of your glass with pumpkin spice ingredients like nutmeg and cumin. It’s a festive way to enjoy your favorite cocktail or serve a crowd-pleasing beverage at your upcoming get-together with friends.

8. Apple Pie Sangria

Sangrias are the ultimate party cocktail. They pair well with spicy, smoky or sweet foods, so you can’t go wrong while planning your dinner menu. Make your next batch of sangrias autumn-approved by adding apple cider, white wine, apple liqueur and whipped cream vodka. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and sweeten with as much cinnamon simple syrup as you like. This recipe makes enough for a few people, so plan to serve it in a fancy pitcher.

Celebrate the Season With Fall Cocktail Recipes

  Try a selection of fall cocktail recipes that will dazzle your taste buds. You can enjoy them while you unwind by the fireplace, invite friends over for pumpkin stew or carve jack-o’-lanterns with your loved ones before the season ends.