As nights grow longer, explore the best cocktails to ship this autumn — from maple bourbon Old Fashioneds to spiced vodka mules.
As the days grow shorter and the air takes on an unmistakable autumn chill, there’s no better time to trade in summer spritzes for something richer, cozier, and more complex. Cooler weather often shifts our drinking habits — research shows that people tend to favor darker spirits and warmer flavor profiles as temperatures drop. Think whiskey, bourbon, and spiced syrups instead of citrus and soda. Whether you’re unwinding by the fire or hosting a dinner with friends, classic and contemporary cocktails will make the season taste as good as it feels. Here are the best cocktails to sip this autumn.
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The Gin Bramble
Ingredients
-
2 oz gin
-
¾ oz lemon juice
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½ oz simple syrup
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½ oz blackberry liqueur
Create:
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Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice
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Strain over crushed ice in a glass
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Drizzle blackberry liqueur on top
The Maple Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 1800s and is often called the “original cocktail.” The maple version adds a seasonal twist that nods to New England’s harvest traditions while giving the drink a richer, slightly smoky sweetness.
Ingredients:
Create
- Combine ingredienta with ice and stir
- Strain into a rocks glass
- Garnish with orange peel
The Irish Coffee
Invented in the 1940s by chef Joe Sheridan at an Irish airport to welcome cold, weary travelers, Irish Coffee remains a beloved way to warm up from the inside out.
Ingredients
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1½ oz Irish whiskey
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4 oz hot coffee
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1 tsp brown sugar
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Fresh whipped cream
Create
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Stir whiskey and sugar into hot coffee
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Top with lightly whipped cream
The Spiced Cranberry Mule
A twist on the 1940s Moscow Mule — the cocktail that helped make vodka popular in America — this version introduces cranberry and spice, giving it a distinct autumn edge.
Ingredients
Create
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Build over ice in a copper mug
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Top with ginger beer and stir gently
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Garnish with a lime wedge or cranberries
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The Tequila Hot Toddy
The Hot Toddy’s roots trace back to 18th-century Scotland as a medicinal drink. Swapping in tequila gives it a warm, herbal complexity and an unexpected south-of-the-border kick.
Ingredients
Create
-
Combine tequila, honey, and lemon juice in a mug
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Add hot water and stir until honey dissolves
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Garnish with a cinnamon stick
Whether you’re partial to whiskey’s warmth, gin’s botanical brightness, or tequila’s smooth spice, autumn is the ideal time to explore deeper flavors. So pour yourself a glass, wrap up in your favorite sweater, and toast to the cozy months ahead.
Anthony Washington
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