13 Easy Fall Cocktails to Usher in Sweater Weather

The Afternoon Spritz is a riff on Italy’s classic, using mezcal instead of Aperol and tart grapefruit instead of sweet orange. The smoky and earthy character of mezcal gives the fall vibes we’re going for, while the contrasting lively grapefruit soda presents a unique flavor duo. Pour 2 ounces of your preferred sparkling wine for a bit of sparkle, plus a hint of refinement with three-quarter ounces of pamplemousse liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz mezcal (Dos Hombres Espadin)
• 2 oz grapefruit soda 
• 2 oz sparkling wine 
• ¾ oz pamplemousse liqueur 

Steps:

• Add ice to a glass.
• Add each ingredient to the glass and stir.
• Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

The Spiced Apple Cider Margarita is a delicious fusion of classic and fall flavors. Crafted with 2 ounces of tequila and a zesty kick from 1 ounce of triple sec, it’s a festive twist on the Margarita. The star of the show is the apple cider, adding a crisp, seasonal touch. A dash of lime juice adds a citrusy balance. This autumn-inspired delight pays homage to the Margarita’s Mexican heritage with a seasonal twist perfect for sipping on cool evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila (LALO Tequila)
• 1 oz triple sec
• 4 oz apple cider
• 1 oz lime juice
• Cinnamon and sugar for rimming the glass
• Sliced apple and cinnamon stick for garnish

Steps:

• Rim the glass with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
• In a shaker with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, apple cider, and lime juice.
• Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
• Garnish with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick.

When it comes to easy fall cocktails, nothing beats the simplicity of a highball: vodka-7, rum and coke, gin and tonic. But to level it up to match fall’s cable-knit sweater vibes, we’re opting for a timeless blend of sophistication and zest with cognac and ginger ale — particularly Hennessy VS, with its round and robust flavor profile, from maturation in new oak barrels.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz cognac (Hennessy VS)
• 3 ½ oz ginger ale

Steps:

• Pour the cognac into a highball glass.
• Add ice cubes to fill the glass.
• Top with ginger ale.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or slices of fresh ginger.

This concoction has more ingredients than most easy cocktails, but don’t let that turn you away; it’s still simple to bring together. The star is Glenfiddich Orchard, the fifth release from the distillery’s world-renowned Experimental Series. Combined with amaro, unsweetened fresh apple cider, and a medley of citrus juices, it’s a harmonious blend of whiskey and fruity notes. Glenfiddich’s rich history of whisky craftsmanship shines in this punch, making it a must-try this fall.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ oz Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment
• ½ oz Amaro Nonino
• ¾ oz fresh apple cider
• ½ oz brown simple syrup (1:1)
• ¼ oz orange juice
• ¼ oz lemon juice
• ginger beer
• apple slice, cinnamon, and orange wheel for garnish

Steps:

• In a shaker with ice, add all your ingredients except ginger beer and garnish.
• Give this a quick shake.
• Strain over fresh ice in Collins glass.
• Top with ½ oz – 1 oz of ginger beer.
• Garnish with apple slice, orange wheel and cinnamon stick.

Unleash your inner child with a S’mores Martini, where the warmth of toasted marshmallows takes you back to cozy nights by the fire. Sip on nostalgia as you relish this decadent twist on a modern classic with the perfect blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and spirits.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz cream liqueur (Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur)
• 1 oz chocolate flavored vodka
• ¾ oz caramel syrup
• 1 oz whipped cream

Steps:

• Drizzle a martini glass with chocolate syrup and rim with chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs.
• Add cream liqueur, chocolate flavored vodka, caramel syrup, whipped cream, and ice into a shaker.
• Shake for 20 seconds until chilled.
• Strain into the martini glass.
• Garnish with a toasted marshmallow.

The Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned is a timeless libation that marries the rich heritage of bourbon with the comforting sweetness of pure maple syrup. Two dashes of Angostura bitters provide depth, while the garnish of orange peel and Luxardo cherry adds a finishing touch. This cocktail pays tribute to the 19th-century origins of the Old Fashioned, reinventing it with a maple twist for a truly memorable autumn drinking experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon (Jefferson’s Bourbon)
• ½ oz pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel for garnish
• Luxardo cherry for garnish

Steps:

• In a glass, combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
• Add ice and stir gently.
• Garnish with a twist of orange peel and a Luxardo cherry.

It’s a classic Moscow Mule, reinvented with cranberry for a contemporary spin. Cranberry Moscow Mule balances the clean and neutral taste of vodka, 1 ounce of cranberry juice, and half an ounce of fresh lime juice for a pop of sweetness, beautifully balanced by 4 ounces of invigorating ginger beer. The cranberries add vibrant color, a burst of flavor, and a perfect representation of the fall season.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (Castle & Key Sacred Spring Vodka)
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Fresh cranberries and lime wheel for garnish

Steps:

• Fill a copper mug with ice.
• Pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
• Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wheel.

This indulgent cocktail embraces the fall obsession with pumpkin spice and adds a creamy twist to the classic White Russian. Vodka provides a neutral base for the rich and velvety pumpkin spice creamer, creating an indulgent cocktail with notes of pumpkin, coffee, and sweetness. Finish it with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for that extra comfort. It’s a comforting and dessert-like drink to savor on crisp fall evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (Vusa Vodka)
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz pumpkin spice creamer
• Whipped cream and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for garnish

Steps:

• Fill a glass with ice.
• Pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur, and pumpkin spice creamer.
• Stir gently.
• Top with whipped cream and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.

The Fig and Thyme Gin Fizz is a sophisticated cocktail combining 2 ounces of gin and a luscious 1 ounce of fig syrup, made from fresh figs, sugar, and water; it’s a fusion of botanical and fruity notes. A zesty half-ounce of fresh lemon juice and a few sprigs of fresh thyme add a vibrant twist. Topped off with effervescent club soda, it’s a modern and aromatic twist on classic gin fizzes.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin (St. George Terroir Gin)
• 1 oz fig syrup (made with fresh figs, sugar, and water)
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• Club soda

Steps:

• In a shaker, combine gin, fig syrup, lemon juice, and a sprig of thyme with ice.
• Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
• Top with club soda and garnish with another sprig of thyme.

While the origins of the Margarita trace back to the 1930s, this unique twist adds a smoky pumpkin twist for an unforgettable sip of fall. Mezcal brings a smoky and complex character to this cocktail, which pairs beautifully with the richness of pumpkin puree and the sweetness of agave syrup. Lime juice provides a hint of brightness, while the glass rimmed with smoked sea salt and a lime wedge garnish completes the experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz mezcal (Del Maguey Vida Puebla)
• 1 oz pumpkin puree
• 1 oz agave syrup
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• Smoked sea salt for rimming the glass
• Lime wedge for garnish

Steps:

• Rim the glass with smoked sea salt.
• In a shaker, combine mezcal, pumpkin puree, agave syrup, and lime juice with ice.
• Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

Pecan pie is a classic fall dessert, and this cocktail — essentially dessert in a glass — captures its essence beautifully. Using pecan-infused bourbon provides a nutty richness, while the addition of pure maple syrup and heavy cream creates a creamy sweetness reminiscent of holidays past. The glass is rimmed with crushed graham crackers, and pecan halves adorn this delectable creation.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pecan-infused bourbon (let pecans soak in bourbon for a few days)
• 1 oz pure maple syrup
• ½ oz heavy cream
• Crushed graham crackers for rimming the glass
• Pecan halves for garnish

Steps:

• Rim the glass with crushed graham crackers.
• In a shaker, combine pecan-infused bourbon, maple syrup, and heavy cream with ice.
• Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
• Garnish with pecan halves.

Whiskey serves as the base for this cocktail, providing a robust and slightly smoky foundation. A splash of cranberry juice and half an ounce fresh lemon juice provides a zesty twist. The star is the half-ounce rosemary-infused simple syrup, which adds aromatic depth with a nod to traditional infusions. Garnished with fresh rosemary and cranberries, it’s a sophisticated, well-rounded cocktail that complements the season’s flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey (Stranahan’s Original)
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz rosemary-infused simple syrup (made by heating equal parts sugar and water with rosemary sprigs)
• Fresh rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish

Steps:

• In a shaker, combine whiskey, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and rosemary-infused simple syrup with ice.
• Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a few cranberries.

While not technically on the list of easy fall cocktails (since it comes in a can), this ready-to-buy libation effortlessly embraces the essence of fall, offering refreshingly crisp flavors tailored for the season. Crafted by actress Blake Lively, this sipper combines premium bourbon whiskey, real juice, and effervescent sparkling water, ensuring a genuine taste. With no artificial additives, it’s perfect for the discerning palate seeking the cozy vibes of autumn.