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23+ Fall Cocktails to Make this Season

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These fall cocktails are filled with cozy flavors that warm the cool days. Try one at your next bonfire, harvest happy hour or tailgate.

Two glasses of pumpkin spice latte with cinnamon and pumpkin.

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Your ultimate guide to fall cocktails

As summer transitions to fall, your cocktails need to transition too. Swap out the cool, refreshing flavors for something a bit warmer. Don’t limit yourself to just pumpkin, either. Apple, cinnamon, caramel, orange — there are so many cozy options that you’ll love!

Luckily, seasonal drinks don’t need to be complicated. Some of these are twists on classic recipes while others are easy to master. They’re the perfect way to enjoy the lull before the hectic holiday season descends.

These drinks are for cozy nights and chilly afternoons. (Save the Halloween cocktails for spooky season.)

A glass of apple cider cocktail garnished with a thin apple slice.

Quick tips for hosting 

When it comes to hosting, consider both your occasion and your crew. You’ll want a very different drink for Thanksgiving dinner than you will at your favorite team’s tailgate.

It’s always nice to have a mocktail on the menu for those who prefer a booze-free beverage. There are plenty of fall mocktails that will complement the cocktails and give everyone a cozy sipper.

For a larger group, consider a big batch. Pre-mixing where you can will get you out from behind the bar and give you more time to mingle. There are plenty of options; you can pick a recipe that’s already meant for a crowd, like Thanksgiving pear punch, or multiply the recipe for your desired drink. Don’t forget to skip the ice and garnishes until you’re ready to serve — that way your batch cocktails don’t get watered down and garnishes look their best.

pumpkin spice old-fashioned with pie pumpkins and a jar of pumpkin spice syrup on a white background

What to serve with fall cocktails

Keep the cozy going by serving something warm like chicken tortilla soup. A comfort food like poutine is also a great option.

Queso fundido or totchos would be perfect for a laid-back afternoon, game day watch party or happy hour.

And don’t forget a sweet treat! Butterscotch chocolate chip cookies or chai snickerdoodles are easy to make and oh-so-delicious for fall.

The Asian Pear Moscow Mule cocktail is tart and succulent. The ginger beer will warm you right up. Perfect for sipping all fall long, even for Thanksgiving!

The best fall cocktails 

Savor the season with one of these fall cocktails! they’re perfect for watching the leaves change colors or cheering on your favorite team.

1
A caramel apple mimosa in a champagne flute sits with a green dish towel holding a champagne cork and a cluster of apples
Caramel Apple Mimosas
A fall festival treat meets dinner party indulgence with this Caramel Apple Mimosa. It stacks apple cider with sparkling wine for a brunch sip that feels equal parts crisp and cozy. Caramel on the rim leans sweet but the bubbles keep it light.
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2
A Classic Negroni with ice in it.
Classic Negroni
The classic Negroni pulls no punches — gin, Campari and sweet vermouth in equal measure. Bitter, herbal, sweet all at once, and that deep red color fits fall evenings. An orange twist on ice makes it classic without feeling stuffy.
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3
Clear mug of apple cider with a cinnamon stick and star anise on top, placed on a coaster. Apples and spices are in the background.
Spiked Apple Cider
This homemade Spiked Apple Cider is mulled cider with whiskey or rum stirred in, nothing too complicated. Cinnamon sticks and cloves work as garnishes but also perfume the steam. Best steaming in a mug on a cold night, though chilled over ice works when you don’t feel like fussing.
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4
The Asian Pear Moscow Mule cocktail is tart and succulent. The ginger beer will warm you right up. Perfect for sipping all fall long, even for Thanksgiving!
Pear Moscow Mule
This easy Pear Mule swaps in pear flavor into the Moscow Mule’s usual brightness. Pear-flavored vodka keeps it clean, ginger beer kicks with spice, lime snaps it into place. Served in a copper mug, it’s fall-friendly without losing its sparkle.
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5
A glass of dark brown cocktail garnished with two cherries on a skewer, placed on a white surface. Another similar glass is partially visible in the background.
Manhattan Cocktail
Your go-to Manhattan doesn’t need much selling: It's just whiskey, vermouth, bitters. Smooth, silky, a cherry (or two) riding on top. It works just as well for a crisp evening as it does for a slow after-dinner drink.
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6
Two apple cider margarita cocktails next to two red apples, some fall leaves and rosemary sprigs on a white background.
Apple Cider Margaritas
Mix things up with an Apple Cider Margarita. It takes tequila, cider, lime and throws in a cinnamon-sugar rim for a little crunch. This one's great for taco night when you want the season to show up at the table.
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7
A Chai Old Fashioned Cocktail is the fall and winter nightcap of your dreams. Made with chai tea ice cubes, the chai spices infuse slowly as the ice melts into the whiskey, letting more flavor seep in with every sip. (via feastandwest.com)
Chai Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Bourbon steeped with chai spices deepens into caramel and clove, making this chai spice spin on the Old-Fashioned layered and cozy. Cardamom bitters tie it together, keeping the sweetness in check. Fireside or not, it feels like a classic wrapped in a blanket.
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8
Two Brandy Alexanders with nutmeg on a tray.
Brandy Alexander Cocktail
After dinner, a Brandy Alexander leans indulgent with brandy, crème de cacao and cream shaken smooth with a dusting of nutmeg. Like dessert in a glass, it's perfect when nights turn cold.
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9
Rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks and star anise lay on a white wooden background alongside two stemless wineglasses filled with ice and golden liquid garnished with apple slices and spices
Apple Cider Sangria
Pitcher drinks don’t get easier than Apple Cider Sangria, with wine, cider, citrus and apple slices in the mix. Brandy or orange liqueur adds depth without weighing it down. Served over ice, it’s festive and effortless for fall gatherings.
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10
a glass of boozy Harry Potter butterbeer with a long copper spoon resting in the glass
Harry Potter Boozy Butterbeer
Frothy, caramel-sweet and topped with whipped cream, this Harry Potter-inspired Boozy Butterbeer doesn’t hide its playful side. Cream soda and butterscotch schnapps set the base, while vanilla vodka gives it warmth. It’s tailor-made for Halloween or a witchy movie marathon.
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11
Top view of a glass of spiced apple cider with ice cubes, sliced apple, cinnamon stick, star anise, and rosemary sprigs.
Pear Punch
This delightful Pear Punch stirs pear nectar with citrus and your choice of vodka or gin. Floating pear slices make it look as good as it tastes. This one is perfect for any get-together this season, from tailgates to Thanksgiving.
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12
An Appletini - a glass of green liquid.
Appletini (Apple Martini)
Candy-bright and neon green, the Appletini shakes vodka and sour apple schnapps into a sharp, playful drink. A fresh apple slice reins in the sweetness and it's unapologetically fun.
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13
A glass of creamy brown drink topped with ground nutmeg is placed beside another similar glass, a brass jigger, and some almonds on a white surface.
Toasted Almond Cocktail
Nutty and smooth, the Toasted Almond feels like coffee and cookies in cocktail form. Amaretto and coffee liqueur melt into cream, turning out a sip that’s sweet but mellow. It’s the kind of drink you linger over when the night’s winding down.
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14
a closeup of a pumpkin spice White Russian garnished with a cinnamon stick
Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Pumpkin purée and warm spice fold into the classic White Russian through a homemade pumpkin spice syrup, giving the coffee-and-cream cocktail a seasonal twist. Vodka smooths it out, coffee liqueur adds depth. It's like a boozy PSL that you'll want every night.
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15
A seasonal fall old-fashioned is flanked by cinnamon sticks and red apples
Apple Pie Old-Fashioned
Think of this Apple Pie Old-Fashioned as bourbon dressed up for Thanksgiving. Apple cider syrup and baking spices round it out, while bitters keep the sweetness from taking over. A single cinnamon stick garnish makes it smell like fresh apple pie in a glass as you take each sip.
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16
Two coupe glasses of a red cocktail with apple slices, next to sliced apples on a wooden board, against a white background.
Washington Apple Cocktail
Jewel-toned and crisp, the classy Washington Apple Cocktail mixes Canadian whisky with sour apple schnapps and tart cranberry juice. It lands right between sweet and refined.
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17
A glass of pumpkin spice latte with cinnamon sticks.
Pumpkin Eggnog
Creamy custard with pumpkin and spice takes classic Eggnog into fall territory. Your choice of bourbon or rum deepens the richness, making it indulgent and welcoming at the same time. Ladle it into mugs and dust with a little bit of nutmeg for holiday parties.
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18
A tall glass of caramel milkshake with whipped topping and caramel drizzle, two straws, and a syrup bottle in the background.
Maple Bourbon Milkshake
Pancakes and dessert collide in this boozy Maple Bourbon Milkshake. Ice cream, maple syrup and rich Kentucky bourbon blend into a thick and frosty treat, then get topped with whipped cream and more maple, if you like.
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19
A floral glass with iced apple mojito garnished with mint, cinnamon stick, apple slice, and lime. Served on a woven coaster with a red apple and lime nearby.
Apple Cider Mojito
Fresh mint and lime keep this Apple Cider Mojito bright, even as cider and rum push it into fall. It’s a mojito that feels right on a September patio.
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20
two pie pumpkins with a pumpkin spice old-fashioned
Pumpkin Spice Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Bourbon gets a cozy lift in this Pumpkin Spice Old-Fashioned with homemade pumpkin syrup stirred in. Angostura bitters keep it balanced while a little bit of zesty orange peel keeps it sharp. It's comforting without trying too hard.
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21
A tray of lady finger desserts sits to the left of two Tiramisu Martinis garnished with chocolate shavings and a lady finger
Tiramisu Martini
The Tiramisu Martini turns its namesake Italian dessert into a drinkable cocktail. Vodka blends with coffee liqueur and Irish cream to create a rich, velvety sip. It’s smooth, sweet and made for lingering late at night.
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22
A glass of spiced apple cider rum punch with ice and a star anise garnish sits on a striped towel, with two whole red apples nearby.
Spiced Apple Cider Punch
This Apple Cider Punch stirs together cider, spiced rum and citrus for a big-batch drink that’s about as easy as it gets. Float some apple slices and star anise on top and it looks instantly festive with hardly any effort. Perfect when you’ve got a crowd and don’t want to play bartender all night!
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23
A glass of orange-colored drink with a brown sugared rim, surrounded by small orange and white pumpkins on a white surface.
Ginger Pumpkin Shandy
A fizzy Pumpkin Shandy keeps it simple: pumpkin ale cut with ginger beer. It’s light, a little spiced a little tangy with tons of fall flavor. It's the kind of drink you pull out for a tailgate or game day and don’t think twice about.
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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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