7 Cocktails To Enjoy This Fall
Once the leaves start to fall, the pumpkin spice latte takes its place as the undisputed drink champion. But when it's time to clock out and the nights get crisp and cool, some people may want to sip on something a little stronger.
Any spirit can be incorporated into a tasty fall cocktail, but certain varieties, such as whiskey or dark rum, are naturally more rich and warm. The same can be said for the complementary ingredients—apples or oranges, for example—that serve as the hero flavors of a fall cocktail.
Luckily, the Menufy by HungerRush team is full of former bartenders who have experience creating cocktails that will add flare to your Thanksgiving get-together or pair perfectly with your favorite takeout.
If you want to step up your cocktail game this autumn, keep scrolling for our recommendations and recipes!
7 Cocktails You Will FALL For
Harvest Sangria
Apple cider is a staple beverage whether you are at a pumpkin patch or a holiday hangout. With Harvest Sangria, the classic apple cider is transformed into a flavorful cocktail! It's a combination of delicious cinnamon, apples, and pears that will make you want to curl up by a warm fire with friends and family!
"Back in my bartending days, some of my favorite drinks to make were variations of a sangria. The layers that form in the glass give the sangria a unique look. A fall-flavored sangria is a fun way to put a spin on a classic cocktail." – Mar Garcia, Menufy sales manager
Ingredients
1 apple
1 pear
½ orange
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup cranberry juice
1 bottle dry red wine
1 bottle sparkling cider or apple cider
Garnishes: cinnamon stick, rosemary sprig, remaining orange slices, dried or whole cranberries
Instructions
Thinly slice the apple, pear, and orange. Place slices into a medium bowl and stir in the sugar and cinnamon.
Transfer to a large pitcher. Let stand for one hour to allow the flavors to come together.
After an hour, add the red wine and cranberry juice.
Serve in a glass with ice. Fill half the glass with the cider and top off with the red wine mixture. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, rosemary, cranberries, or orange slices.
Plum Prosecco
This medley of sweet stone fruit and the brightness of bubbly prosecco is a great way to celebrate the changing seasons. The beverage balances tart and sweet and has a beautiful color that will impress holiday party guests.
"Although I’ve left my bartending days behind, I still enjoy creating delish cocktails for my own enjoyment! I recently made plum prosecco drinks using fresh plums and thyme. Just because there’s a nip in the air doesn’t mean you can’t use bubbles and citrus in your cocktail creations.” – Kat Willis, Menufy client success specialist
Try this plum and prosecco recipe for a cupful of fall!
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
8 sprigs thyme
4 diced plums
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 bottle prosecco
Instructions
Create a simple thyme syrup by bringing the water and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and add the thyme. Once it's completely cooled, remove the thyme sprigs.
Add the diced plums, lemon juice, and 3–4 tbsp of the cooled thyme syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice and pour evenly into cocktail glasses.
Top with chilled prosecco. Garnish with additional sliced plums and fresh thyme sprigs.
Macintosh Old Fashioned
The Macintosh Old Fashioned is a tasty twist on a whiskey classic. Apple is synonymous with autumn and is an excellent flavor alternative to the popular pumpkin spice, making this cocktail ideal for the season.
"I used to make a variation of this cocktail every fall while working behind the bar. It reminds me of autumn—the apples, the smokey sweetness. This drink can actually be enjoyed hot as well. Just add hot water.” – Devin Long, Menufy project coordinator
Whether you are a new or experienced whiskey drinker, you will love this cocktail!
Ingredients
2 oz high-quality apple whiskey
¼ cup honey
¼ cup water
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
lemon peel twist
Instructions
Create a honey syrup by bringing ¼ cup water to near boiling. Then add honey, stirring until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature before using. (Makes ½ cup.)
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Then add the honey syrup, whiskey, and bitters. Stir until very chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with lemon peel twist and serve.
Apple Pie Martini
This easy-to-make vodka cocktail overflows with the taste of homemade apple pie. The only thing that’s missing is whipped cream!
“Apples and martinis give fall vibes. It's fresh, crisp, and aromatic. If you're not a pumpkin spice fan, I recommend going for an apple pie martini.” – Mar Garcia
Try this recipe, which perfectly pairs the aromatic flavors of vanilla, apple cider, and cinnamon.
Ingredients
1 oz premium vodka
1½ oz vanilla liqueur
2½ oz apple cider
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 dash of freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tsp sugar
Instructions
Sugar the rim of a glass
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Autumn Spice Bloody Mary
Bloody Marys are bolstered with warm fall spices, brightened with lemon juice, and slightly sweetened with apple cider to create a bracing fall beverage that delivers on all fronts.
"I always loved making Bloody Marys, even though I don't enjoy them personally! I liked how creative I could be with the ingredients and toppers. Playing around with different flavor profiles was fun and made for a tasty drink." – Laney Meyer, Menufy sales trainer
Enjoy our fresh fall take on a traditional Bloody Mary!
Ingredients
2 oz tomato juice
1 oz apple cider
1½ oz vodka
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp bread and butter pickle juice
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1-2 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Garnish as desired
Instructions
Combine everything except the garnishes in a shaker or large glass.
Stir with a whisk until adequately mixed.
Pour into a tall glass or jar.
Add your favorite garnishes.
Maple Cooler
If you enjoy the rich and warm flavors of maple syrup, then this cocktail is a must-try. You'll love the cozy mixture of dark rum, orange, and, of course, maple!
"As a former bartender, I loooove me some rum. It's my go-to spirit when I want additional layers of warm flavors in a drink." – Mar Garcia
Ingredients
2 oz dark rum
½ oz maple syrup
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Orange twist
Instructions
1. Combine the dark rum, maple syrup, and bitters into an ice-filled glass and stir until well chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.
Forbidden Fruit
This cocktail is like autumn in a glass! And it's refreshing and light enough to pair with heavy holiday meals.
"I loved making mojitos, but they are traditionally a summer drink. So as the weather cooled, some of my bar guests wanted a beverage that was just as satisfying. I have found that the Forbidden Fruit is the closest thing to a mojito and is perfect for fall."
–Vlad Masson, Menufy senior sales executive
Ingredients
1 oz Crown Apple whiskey
1 oz Pimms No. 1
1½ oz cranberry juice
1½ oz pineapple juice
½ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Splash of ginger soda
1 tsp sugar
Instructions
Sugar the rim of the glass.
Add ice to a glass and pour over Crown Apple, Pimms, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
Stir until chilled.
Top with a splash of ginger soda.
The Last Sip
Autumn brings with it some of the most familiar and comforting flavors, such as cinnamon and apple. If we are using these flavors to bake and cook, then why not mix them into tasty cocktails too?
Try any (or all!) of these cocktail recommendations to warm up this fall.
Cheers, and drink responsibly!
Melissa Dimmitt, Marketing Manager
Melissa is the Marketing Manager for Menufy by HungerRush. She began working with restaurant managers and executive chefs over a decade ago, coordinating seasonal menu releases, executing photoshoots, and creating fresh digital content.