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Holidays are the best excuse to break out the punch bowl, champagne flutes, or those never-used glasses you’ve kept in the cabinet for special occasions. No matter how you’re celebrating this fall, whether it’s you and a partner, your pod, or extended family, there’s a festive fall cocktail for you.
This list features twists on classic cocktails, hot drinks, punches, and some nonalcoholic options that everyone will be clamoring to sip and savor. And while some say the cold snap of fall demands a sturdy drink like whiskey, you’ll see there’s no such rule here. Sparkling wine, apple cider, and rum all make an appearance (and yes, whiskey, too).
Don’t save these cocktail recipes just for a big dinner party! Warm a pot of apple cider in the slow cooker for brunch gatherings or throw together boozy coffee for guests arriving in from out of town. A pajama party of one in front of the fireplace is an occasion too.
Hot Mulled Cider is a delicious after-dinner drink or as a booze-free option to have available for the duration of your party. If you want your entire house smelling like apple pie all day, make a batch in a slow cooker. The low heat will make sure the mulled cider is always hot, and guests can help themselves for refills.
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, “This mocktail is equally good with Trader Joe’s 100% Cherry Juice and you’ll still achieve a nice red color. For a drier and less sweet non-alcoholic drink, swap up to half of the ginger beer for plain sparkling water.”
Contributor Nancy Mitchell says, “An inexpensive big, rich red – like a Cabernet or a Malbec – is a good choice for mulled wine. This is definitely NOT the time to pull out a really nice wine; in fact, I usually make mulled wine with the lowest priced bottle I can find because the spices and the orange mask the nuances of a more expensive wine.”
Good things come to those who wait. Thankfully you only need to wait 24 hours to infuse your own spiced bourbon for this Fall-Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail! Star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a vanilla bean give the bourbon a sweet and spicy kick. Try cozying up around the fireplace for an intimate gathering with these cocktails.
Contributor Garrett McCord says, “You can chill this in the fridge up for as little as two hours and up to three days ahead of time. All you have to do is pull this out when it’s time to serve, and garnish with some cinnamon or grated nutmeg.”
You should make this fall cocktail repeatedly as soon as the leaves turn colors. Use any kind of whiskey you like, let the spices simmer the entire 10 minutes. It’ll make your kitchen smell like magic.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Contributor Elana Lepkowski says, “Almost any creamy liquor will work very well here and will typically have a low ABV, so you can drink a cup without needing a nap immediately afterward. Two of my favorites are Kerrygold Irish Cream and Tempus Fugit Crème De Cacao (more chocolate is perfectly acceptable here).”
Time to put a sweater on your Negroni! Swapping out the gin for whiskey in this classic cocktail adds a hint of spice for cooler temps. Make it special for the holidays by garnishing it with a clove-studded orange peel.
Don’t want to splurge on expensive champagne? Grab a budget-friendly bottle of sparkling wine and top it with Chambord, a berry liqueur, for a sweet twist worthy of a celebration. Make it festive with a frozen berry garnish.
If you’re craving a festive creamy cocktail without the eggs, try this cocktail—it’s decadent with brandy, crème de cacao, heavy cream, and freshly grated nutmeg. It’s the perfect way to finish a big meal or as a nightcap with guests.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Contributor Elana Lepkowski says, “Shrubs can be served up a variety of ways, and can stay non-alcoholic, or can serve as the base of a fun cocktail. The recipe below is booze-free, but if you want to change that, a white rum, vodka, or even a sparkling wine can be substituted for the sparkling water.”
Special drinks aren’t just for the day of! Start the day after the party with this sweet twist on the classic Irish coffee. Whipped cream is not optional.
Be the host with booze-free drinks that everyone wants to try and is happy to be served. This nonalcoholic aperitif is tart and spicy with orange, cinnamon, anise, and allspice. As a bonus, any leftover syrup doubles as a sweetener for teas and toddies.
For an invigorating base that can go boozy or not, try this Pear-Ginger Shrub. Invite guests to customize their own drinks with a variety of options: club soda, seltzer, flavored sparkling water, or booze, like rum. Some fun garnishes: pear slices and crystalized ginger.
Honey and citrus seem like the right choice as soon as the weather cools down. The honey syrup adds flavor and a touch of sweetness.
The Peychaud’s bitters in this classic rye whiskey-based cocktail tastes of licorice, saffron, and caramel. Don’t skip the lemon peel! The lemon oil it releases into the cocktail is essential.
This cocktail recipe was developed with the fall season in mind. Use the best-quality pear juice you can find for the best flavor.
Fresh ginger ushers in fall with its spice and warmth in this Homemade Ginger Ale. Add a splash of Mezcal and a squeeze of lime for the grownups.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
While butterbeer can be made in the hot and frozen versions, this recipe is for the cold version—probably the easiest of the bunch to make at home. A bubbly cream soda base and a layer of sweetened whipped topping are both permeated with butterscotch syrup. You can make your own butterscotch syrup or order it online, then make the best butterbeer recipe a budding wizard could wish for.
