Skip to main content

We love these classic fall cocktails — with a twist

When the leaves begin to fall and the weather turns cooler, this signals that holiday celebrations are on the horizon. Halloween sneaks up on you, and then Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year’s Eve follow in quick succession.

If you’re planning to host an adult party for one or more of those occasions, you’ll certainly want to serve delicious cocktails. To make sure your party is a memorable event, get a little creative with the beverages you choose to serve. Incorporate autumnal flavors, such as apple cider and pumpkin, to serve seasonal variations on traditional favorites.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple cider hot toddy

A classic hot toddy is an Irish cocktail that combines whiskey, honey, herbs, and spices. The beverage is often used as a remedy for the common cold.

Recommended Videos

In this modified version, warm apple cider is paired with bourbon, lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon to create a cocktail that will make your guests feel cozy, even if the weather is chilly during the celebration. You can prepare this apple cider hot toddy on the stove or in a slow cooker before the party starts, so you can have it ready for your guests to enjoy as soon as they arrive.

Pumpkin pie martini

This take on a traditional martini is the perfect dessert cocktail. It features vanilla vodka and clear Crème de Cacao liqueur, as well as pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon sugar, and whipped cream.

Prepare the drinks in advance, dipping the edges of the martini glasses in Crème de Cacao and cinnamon sugar and chilling them before the event. You can also make the whipped cream ahead of time and store it in the freezer.

When your guests arrive, you’ll be able to quickly whip up fresh pumpkin pie martinis by combining ice, vodka, Crème de Cacao, heavy cream, and pumpkin pie spice. Just shake it up, strain the mixture into the prepared glasses, top with whipped cream and more pumpkin pie spice, and let your guests relax and enjoy a cocktail and a dessert all in one.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Maple old-fashioned

A traditional old-fashioned is made with a blend of rye whiskey or bourbon and Angostura bitters, then garnished with an orange peel. A simple twist can transform it into a maple old-fashioned, creating a rich flavor that’s perfectly suited to the fall season. Simply combine whiskey or bourbon, bitters, maple syrup, and water. Let the syrup dissolve, then add ice, garnish with orange peel, and serve this delicious autumn-inspired cocktail.

Pumpkin apple shandy

Pumpkin and apple are two flavors that immediately come to mind when you think of fall, so why not combine them into one tasty beverage? If you’d like to offer your guests a cocktail that isn’t too strong, this pumpkin apple shandy is a good choice since it can be made with just a half glass of pumpkin beer and apple cider. If you’d prefer to make it stronger, include bourbon to give it more of a kick. Finish off the drink by garnishing the cocktail with apple slices.

Apple cider mimosa

This recipe includes champagne, which is a must for any celebration. The cocktail is elegant, festive, and easy to prepare using dry champagne, Prosecco, or another sparkling wine.

To make these apple cider mimosas, combine the champagne with brandy or dark rum and apple cider. If you want to give the drink a sweeter flavor, you can substitute caramel vodka for brandy. Rim the glasses with apple cider and cinnamon sugar, prepare the cocktails, then garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sugar, or cinnamon sticks, if you’d like.

Try these delicious cocktails at your fall party

Autumn has its own unique flavor profile full of leafy greens, hearty roots, and crispy fruits. The fall brings menus filled with sweet potato ravioli, pumpkin pie, cranberry salads, and countless other seasonal meals and desserts. To celebrate the harvest, why not add these flavors to your cocktails as well?

These beverages put a twist on classic favorites by incorporating tasty flavors such as apple, pumpkin, and maple to make them more fitting for the season. Your family and friends are probably familiar with these classic cocktails, and they’ll be delighted to sample these variations. As an added bonus, these cocktails are easy to make, and some steps can be done in advance so you aren’t playing bartender all night. Whether it’s a formal dinner party or a casual hangout with friends, be sure to include these fall cocktails on the menu.

Jennifer Supernaw
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer Supernaw is a freelance writer who has produced home-related content for RISMedia, as well as blogs and articles for…
What is a Tudor-style home? Your guide to this classic look
Steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, and brick exteriors: Here's what you should know about Tudor houses
Tudor-style home

A Tudor house is a classic style many homeowners have fallen in love with. Whether you know what a Tudor-style home is or not, you’ve likely seen these storybook abodes at least once or twice. Tudor-style houses provide an air of whimsy and often feel reminiscent of French and English countryside aesthetics.

If you’re curious about what a Tudor-style home entails, we have a go-to guide covering everything you need to know about this elegant and classic house.

Read more
Experts say these are the kitchen appliances we’re all going to invest in this year
Smart tech, underground refrigerators, and more
Appliance storage on shelves

In the ever-evolving world of kitchen appliances, staying ahead of the curve is a priority for those who want to maintain a modern and efficient kitchen. With the continuous advancement of technology and an increased focus on decluttered spaces, the kitchen appliance landscape is constantly changing.

Our experts predict that certain kitchen appliances will become must-haves for homeowners looking to upgrade their culinary experience. From space-saving solutions to cutting-edge smart technology, here's a glimpse into the best kitchen appliances we're all going to invest in this year.

Read more
6 easy Christmas desserts everyone will think are from a high-end bakery
Forget the Christmas cookies — here are some decadent desserts to ramp up your holiday meal
Chocolate lava cake with cranberries

You put so much care and attention into every last bit of Christmas. From the gift shopping to the wrapping and the decorating to the food -- no detail overlooked. Your Christmas desserts should be no exception. Not just the typical trays of homemade Christmas cookies, but the kind of elegant, beautiful Christmas desserts that wow you through the glass at your town’s finest bakery. But who has the budget left over for one of those pricey confections or the time to make a special trip into town on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

There’s no need to go into bakery debt! Today we've compiled six of the most elegant Christmas desserts around, each one an example of bakery-quality decadence and all surprisingly easy to make. Four are bake-at-home treats, two require no baking at all, and some you can even make ahead of time!

Read more