7 Cocktails to Welcome Fall
Fall is here! We’re finally done sweating our way through hot sticky summers, and that means a whole new wardrobe, another blanket on the bed, and yes, a new roster of cocktails. Put away the blender and take out the shaker for these 7 cocktails that perfectly fit the crisp weather and colorful foliage.
1. Cranberry Margaritas
Ingredients:
For the cranberry syrup (makes enough for about 6 margaritas):
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
For the margaritas:
- 4 ounces silver tequila
- 7 ounces Sprite or club soda
- 4 tablespoons cranberry syrup
- sugar or salt for the rims
- fresh lime slices and cranberries (for garnish)
Instructions:
For the cranberry syrup:
- To prepare the syrup, pour the cranberry juice, orange juice, cranberries, and the sugar in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a light boil for about 8-10 minutes, stirring every so often. Remove the mixture from the heat and let sit for 3 minutes. Then pour the syrup through a mesh strainer into a bowl or measuring cup. Let the syrup sit for 30 minutes to thicken or store in the fridge until ready to use.
For the margaritas:
- Use a damp cloth and rub around the rims of two glasses. Then dip into sugar or salt. Fill glasses with ice.
- Pour the tequila, Sprite or club soda, and the cranberry syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake gently to combine and then pour into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges and/or cranberries and serve.
2. Pumpkin Martini
Ingredients:
1 ounce heavy whipping cream (or for a little lighter you can use half and half)
1 ounce spiced rum
1⁄2 ounce pumpkin spice syrup
nutmeg
cinnamon
whipped whipping cream
Instructions:
Fill your martini shaker with crushed ice and use a chilled martini glass. Put all ingredients in shaker and shake for a minute or so. Pour into glass. Grind a little nutmeg on top. You can also rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and put in a cinnamon stick.
3. Stonewall
Ingredients:
One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces aged rum
1 1/2 ounces apple cider
1 1/2 ounces chilled ginger beer
1 lime wedge
1 slice of apple
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the ginger with the simple syrup. Add the rum and cider; fill the shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and top with the ginger beer. Garnish with the lime wedge and apple slice.
4. Pumpkin Beer Cocktail
Ingredients:
8 ounces good-quality bourbon
9 ounces apple cider
2 1/2 ounces lemon juice
12 ounces pumpkin ale
ice
cinnamon sticks and cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, shake together the bourbon, apple cider and lemon juice. Pour into 4 glasses filled with ice. Pour the beer evenly into each glass. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and cranberries.
5. Fall Fig Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 California black mission fig
1 1/2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/4 oz maple syrup (Grade B, if you can find it)
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
Remove the stem from the fig and cut it into quarters. Place the fig pieces in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the maple syrup and muddle into a paste. Add the bourbon, orange juice, and balsamic vinegar, and fill the glass with ice. Shake anddouble strain into an old-fashioned glass with ice.
6. Apple Cider Mimosa
Ingredients:
Apple cider
Champagne
Gold and silver sprinkles for rim of glass (optional)
apple slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Dip the top of each Champagne glass into water then dip in the sprinkles to coat. Pour each champagne glass 1/2-3/4 full with apple cider. Top with champagne, and enjoy.
7. Hunter’s Cocktail
This cocktail gets its name from the fact that most hunting seasons take place in the fall. It’s simple, warm, and the perfect antidote to a long day.
1 1/2 ounces whiskey
1/2 ounce cherry brandy
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Pour the whiskey and cherry brandy into an old-fashioned glass with ice. Stir well, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
