35 Fall Cocktails That Capture the Spirit of the Season

The air turns crisp, sweaters come out of storage, and cozy flavors move into our glasses. These 35 cocktails celebrate apples, pears, maple, baking spices, and all the other tastes that make autumn special. Mix one for a quiet night by the fire or shake up a few for your next gathering. Either way, you’ll have something seasonal and delicious in hand.

1. Apple Cider Old Fashioned

Bourbon pairs beautifully with fresh apple cider and a dash of maple syrup. Stir the trio with bitters over ice, then strain into a rocks glass with one large cube. The result is a smooth, subtly sweet riff on the classic. A cinnamon stick garnish adds an extra whiff of fall spice.

2. Spiced Pear Collins

Pear purée, gin, and lemon juice lay the foundation, while a quick homemade syrup steeped with cloves and star anise provides warmth. Shake, strain, and top with chilled club soda for lift. The drink is light yet aromatic, making it perfect for brunch or an early-evening aperitif. A thin pear slice floating on top seals the deal.

3. Maple Bourbon Smash

This smash follows the mint-forward style of a julep but leans into maple instead of simple syrup. Muddle fresh mint with lemon wedges and real maple, add bourbon, then shake hard. Pour everything over crushed ice for a frosty mound. The combination of citrus, mint, and woodsy sweetness feels tailor-made for leaf-peeping season.

4. Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Cream laced with pumpkin purée and pie spice turns the beloved White Russian into a dessert-like treat. Build vodka and coffee liqueur over ice, then gently float the flavored cream. A quick stir gives marbled swirls of orange and brown. The drink is rich, cozy, and perfect after dinner.

5. Cranberry Gin Fizz

Tart cranberry juice, London dry gin, lemon, and a dash of egg white (or aquafaba) create silky foam. Shake once without ice, then again with ice to chill. Strain into a chilled coupe and top with a quick splash of soda for fizz. The rosemary garnish lends a piney aroma that plays well with cranberry’s bite.

6. Hot Buttered Rum

A spoonful of spiced compound butter—brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla—melts into dark rum and boiling water. The butter gives the drink a luxurious mouthfeel while the spices evoke holiday baking. Serve in a heatproof mug and sip slowly. It warms hands and spirits alike on chilly evenings.

7. Smoked Rosemary Negroni

Classic equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth get an autumnal upgrade by smoking a rosemary sprig, then trapping the smoke in the glass before pouring the drink. The herbal smoke tames Campari’s bitterness and adds campfire allure. Stir with ice to chill, strain, and garnish with the singed herb. It’s a throwback that feels fresh.

8. Chai Whiskey Flip

This velvety flip combines chai-spiced simple syrup, bourbon, a whole egg, and a splash of cream. Dry-shake first, then shake with ice until frothy and thick. Strain into a flip glass and grate nutmeg on top. The texture is custardy, while the chai spices glow in every sip.

9. Pomegranate Margarita

Tequila blanco mixes with fresh lime and pomegranate juice for a seasonal spin on the classic. A hint of orange liqueur keeps things balanced. Shake hard and strain over ice in a half-salted glass. The jewel-tone color makes any fall happy hour pop.

10. Caramel Apple Mule

Vodka, apple cider, and ginger beer form the backbone, while a drizzle of caramel sauce adds silky sweetness. Build the drink over ice in a chilled copper mug and give a gentle stir. The ginger’s bite cuts through the caramel, keeping things lively. Garnish with a thin apple fan for extra flair.

11. Brown Sugar Manhattan

Swapping traditional simple syrup for a brown sugar version brings molasses depth to this rye-based Manhattan. Stir rye, sweet vermouth, brown sugar syrup, and a couple of dashes of Angostura over ice. Strain into a chilled glass and drop in a brandied cherry. The sip is smooth, gently sweet, and caramel-tinged.

12. Sage & Honey Sidecar

Infuse cognac with fresh sage for a day, then shake it with Cointreau, lemon juice, and a touch of honey. The herbal notes soften cognac’s heat and highlight citrus. A sugared rim nods to the original recipe while adding texture. This refined sipper bridges early fall sunshine and cooler nights.

13. Toasted Marshmallow Espresso Martini

Vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso meet toasted marshmallow syrup for a campfire-meets-café vibe. Shake vigorously with ice to create a creamy head. Strain into a chilled coupe and balance a torch-kissed marshmallow on top. The aroma of caramelized sugar hits first, followed by bold coffee flavor.

14. Mulled Wine Sangria

Start by gently simmering red wine with oranges, cloves, and cinnamon, then cool the mixture. Add brandy, sliced apples, and a splash of cranberry juice, letting the fruit steep for a few hours. Serve chilled in glasses filled with ice. It drinks like fall’s answer to summertime sangria—fragrant and festive.

15. Pear & Ginger Spritz

Pear nectar, Aperol, and a quick ginger syrup get topped with chilled Prosecco. The combination is lightly sweet with a gentle bite of spice. Build directly in the glass for easy entertaining. A ribbon of pear adds elegance without fuss.

16. Black Walnut Boulevardier

A dash of black walnut bitters deepens the flavors of this bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth trio. Stir over ice until chilled and silky. Strain into a rocks glass with one large cube. The bitters add earthy richness that complements bourbon’s vanilla notes.

17. Cardamom Rum Punch

White rum, dark rum, lime juice, and pineapple juice form the base, while a cardamom-infused simple syrup brings spice. Let the flavors mingle in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. Ladle over ice in small glasses. Each sip offers tropical brightness balanced by warm cardamom.

18. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

Combine bourbon, fresh lemon, cinnamon syrup, and a splash of maple for sweetness. A dry shake with egg white gives that silky foam layer. Strain over a large cube and garnish with a cinnamon stick. It’s a whiskey sour wrapped in a flannel blanket.

19. Applejack Harvest Punch

Apple brandy, spiced rum, cider, and sparkling water team up for an easy crowd drink. Add thin apple slices, whole cranberries, and a few cinnamon sticks to infuse as it sits. Serve over ice in short glasses. The punch is crisp, aromatic, and lower proof for all-day enjoyment.

20. Rosemary Grapefruit Paloma

Silver tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, and a rosemary-infused syrup give the traditional Paloma an herbal twist. Top with a splash of club soda for bubbles. The rosemary amplifies grapefruit’s slight bitterness in a refreshing way. Salt the rim if you’re feeling classic.

21. Spiced Pumpkin Margarita

Pumpkin purée blends seamlessly with reposado tequila, lime juice, agave, and pumpkin pie spice. Shake hard to fully incorporate the purée, then pour over ice. The texture is silky and the flavor nostalgic. A cinnamon-sugar rim adds the perfect sweet crunch.

22. Saffron Cognac Toddy

Bloom a pinch of saffron in hot water, then add cognac, honey, and a squeeze of lemon. The spice lends subtle floral complexity without overpowering the spirit. Serve steaming in a cozy mug. Ideal for late-night stargazing sessions.

23. Blood Orange Dark ’n’ Stormy

Swap standard citrus for tangy blood orange juice to brighten the classic rum and ginger beer combo. Build juice and ginger beer in the glass, then float dark rum on top for that dramatic layered look. Give a quick stir before sipping. The result is spicy, citrusy, and eye-catching.

24. Chestnut Milk Punch

Brown butter–washed rum meets house-made chestnut syrup and whole milk for a luscious punch that’s clarified for clarity. After straining, serve over pebble ice and dust with nutmeg. The nutty flavor is subtle yet unmistakable. It’s like drinking autumn gelato.

25. Cran-Apple Sangria

White wine lightens up traditional red sangria, while cranberry juice and sliced apples keep the fall theme. Add brandy and let the mix chill for a few hours so the fruit flavors meld. Serve over ice with a splash of club soda. The color alone wins hearts at any gathering.

26. Smoked Honey Rye Highball

A quick smoked honey syrup pairs with rye whiskey and chilled soda water in this simple highball. The smoke accent elevates rye’s peppery notes without extra effort. Build directly in the glass over ice for max fizz. Sip slowly as the flavors evolve.

27. Sage & Blackberry Shrub Cocktail

Make a blackberry-sage shrub with apple cider vinegar and sugar, then shake it with gin and a pinch of cracked pepper. The vinegar brings tang, balancing berry sweetness. Double strain to catch seeds and pour into a coupe. Garnish with a single blackberry to spotlight the star ingredient.

28. Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned

Pecan-infused bourbon, demerara syrup, and classic Angostura bitters make this drink unmistakably autumnal. Stir until well chilled and strain over a single cube. An expressed orange peel brightens the nutty profile. It’s rich without being heavy.

29. Holiday Glögg

This Nordic mulled wine combines red wine, port, vodka, and warming spices like cardamom, clove, and cinnamon. Simmer gently, never boiling, to preserve alcohol and flavor. Serve hot with raisins and blanched almonds in each mug. The aroma alone announces festive cheer.

30. Pear & Cardamom French 75

Pear brandy, lemon, and a whisper of cardamom syrup go into the shaker first. Strain into a flute and top with chilled Champagne. The cocktail feels airy, yet the spice provides subtle intrigue. Ideal for a celebratory toast when leaves crunch outside.

31. Maple Rum Old Cuban

Swap simple syrup for dark maple in this mojito-meets-Champagne classic. Combine aged rum, lime, maple, and mint, shake with ice, then double strain into a coupe. Finish with a splash of sparkling wine. The fusion of caramel notes and fizz is undeniably seasonal.

32. Chocolate Chili Mezcal Martini

Mezcal’s smoke marries well with a cacao nib syrup and a hint of ancho chili liqueur. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass for a silky finish. The drink delivers gentle heat beneath deep chocolate notes. A small chili garnish signals the kick within.

33. Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sour

Infuse maple syrup with fresh rosemary, then combine it with bourbon, lemon, and a dash of orange bitters. Shake vigorously with ice and fine-strain into a coupe. The rosemary fragrance appears first, followed by bourbon’s warmth and maple’s woodsy sweetness. It’s simple yet layered.

34. Cinnamon Ginger Toddy

Bourbon, fresh ginger juice, honey, and hot water form the base, with a cinnamon stick acting as both stirrer and spice source. The ginger gives zip while honey soothes. Sip it when the nights get brisk. Clove-studded lemon adds aroma and visual charm.

35. Spiced Persimmon Daiquiri

Ripe persimmons are blended and strained to create a velvety purée. Shake it with white rum, lime, and a spiced syrup featuring star anise and cinnamon. Double strain into a coupe for a smooth texture. The flavor lands somewhere between mango and pumpkin—distinctly autumn without clichés.