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Are you looking for the best fall cocktails for Thanksgiving or any other fall occasion? Here are 15 to try ASAP, from fall bourbon cocktails to apple cider sangria. Don’t miss our apple cider bourbon cocktail at the end! 

Three fall cocktails made with apple cider, apple slices, cinnamon, and rosemary in short glasses on a cutting board. The glasses are rimmed with cinnamon sugar.

Fall is a wonderful season to celebrate with friends. Impress your guests with one of these gorgeous fall cocktails. If a detox drink is more your thing, try our Apple Cider Vinegar drink or Hot ACV Drink instead. 

You can make fall cocktails with a variety of ingredients, from rich bourbon and whiskey to clean vodka. Or try one of the three fall sangria recipes below. Let’s take a look at how to make the best fall cocktail recipes. Don’t miss our top Christmas Cocktails to get even more ideas for the coming months. 

Best Seasonal Flavors for Fall Cocktails  

Festive Fall Cocktail Garnishes 

Best Fall Cocktails 

Three images of mulled wine: in a clear glass mug with cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick, and in a red le Creuset pot.

1. Mulled Wine 

Mulled wine is a classic holiday beverage that will warm you up and make your house smell amazing. 

A dark grey mug filled with a light brown chia spiced hot toddy.

2. Coconut Chai Hot Toddy

This hot toddy from Running to the Kitchen is extra creamy and loaded with fall flavors thanks to chai spices and coconut milk. With a generous splash of dark rum, a hot toddy is the perfect fall cocktail to warm you up. 

Two crystal couple martini glasses against a brown background. The glasses are filled with a creamy light brown cocktail.

3. Spiced Chai Latte Martini 

A chai latte martini is another warm chai-spiced fall cocktail idea. I would swap the whole milk for coconut milk to make it dairy-free. Get the recipe here on Little Sugar Snaps. 

4. Apple Cider Hot Toddy 

A fall spiced hot toddy with apple cider is sure to warm you up on a cold day. Get the recipe on Rhubarbarians! 

A copper mug filled with a Moscow mule garnished with lime and mint.

5. Moscow Mule 

The Moscow mule cocktail is a refreshing combination of ginger beer, lime, and vodka over ice. This is one of my favorite mocktails when using sparkling water instead of vodka. Make it extra festive with a splash of pomegranate juice. 

Two highball glasses filled with red sangria garnished with cinnamon sticks and apple slices against a white marble background.

6. Caramel Apple Red Sangria

This is the ultimate fall sangria recipe made with apple cider, apples, caramel-flavored vodka, and more tasty ingredients. Grab the recipe on Killing Thyme. 

A clear wine glass filled with apple cider sangria garnished with pomegranate arils, sliced apples, orange, and a cinnamon stick.

7. Autumn Rosé Sangria with Apples and Pomegranate 

Rosé wine creates a beautiful color for fall cocktails. With apples, pomegranate arils, orange, and cinnamon, this fall sangria from The Forked Spoon is just beautiful. 

A pitcher filled with apple cider sangria made with white wine, apple cider, apples, and cinnamon sticks.

8. Apple Cider Sangria 

If you prefer a sangria where apple cider flavor and color really come through, go with this white wine apple cider sangria. Get the recipe on The Rising Spoon. 

Two short glasses filled with golden colored fall bourbon cocktails with crushed ice and garnished with apple roses and mint.

9. Apple Cider Whiskey Smash

The perfect fall cocktail using fresh apple cider and your favorite whiskey, served over smashed ice with the most beautiful apple rose garnish! Get the recipe on Bon Appeteach. 

Champagne is poured into a stemless champagne flute filled with apple cider to make apple cider mimosas.

10. Apple Cider Mimosa 

These sparkling fall cocktails are made with just two ingredients: apple cider and sparkling wine like Champagne or prosecco. Apple Cider Mimosas are fresh and light and perfect for an autumn brunch. Get the recipe on Texinarian Baking. 

A tall glass filled with a red fall cocktail over ice and garnished with pomegranate arils and mint. The pomegranate mojito sits on a wooden counter with lime and pomegranate in the background.

11. Pomegranate Mojito 

For a more refreshing icy cold fall cocktail, add pomegranate to a classic mojito. Here’s a beautiful recipe for Pomegranate Mojitos from Cooking LSL. 

A beautiful cocktail in an orange glass on a wicker tray. The cocktail is garnished with half a fig and a sprig of rosemary. Leaves sit on the tray showing it's a great fall cocktail recipe.

12. Rosemary Fig Japanese Whiskey Sour

Fig season comes to a close around October, at least the ones in my backyard. This beautiful fall cocktail from Justine Celina combines rosemary with figs for a delicious autumn take on the whiskey sour. 

A small glass filled with a pale golden cocktail garnished with star anise and cinnamon sticks sits on a wooden bar.

13. Fall Gin & Tonic 

This G&T recipe includes apples and cinnamon for a cozy fall rendition of the classic. If you’re a fan of gin cocktails you need to get the recipe on Gastronom! 

Two apple cider mojitos garnished with lime an cinnamon on a marble counter.

14. Apple Cider Mojitos 

Here’s another fall rum cocktail with apple cider spiced flavors. This recipe from XOXO Bella makes a pitcher, so it’s perfect for sharing with friends. 

What to Serve with Fall Cocktails 

It’s always best to pair cocktails with something to eat. A big charcuterie board would be perfect, but here are some other small bite ideas. 

Yield: 1 Cocktail

15 Best Fall Cocktails: Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes

An Old Fashioned is traditionally made with sugar, Angostura bitters, bourbon, and an orange peel. It's easy to transform into a fall bourbon cocktail with the addition of a splash or apple cider and sliced apples. This fall cocktail recipe is sure to warm you up.

Three fall cocktails made with apple cider, apple slices, cinnamon, and rosemary in short glasses on a cutting board. The glasses are rimmed with cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 2-3 drops orange bitters such as angostura
  • 1 teaspoon demerara or maple syrup, to taste
  • 1 Thinly sliced apple
  • 1 sprig rosemary, for garnish (optional)
  • 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. In a rocks glass, stir together the bourbon, apple cider, and bitters. Sweeten to taste with maple syrup.
  2. Add ice and garnish with sliced apple, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Notes

More Fall Cocktails

  • Mulled Wine
  • Hot Toddy
  • Chai Latte Martini
  • Moscow Mule
  • Apple Cider Sangria
  • Whiskey Smash
  • Apple Cider Mimosa
  • Pomegranate Mojito
  • Fig Whiskey Sour
  • Fall Gin & Tonic
  • Apple Cider Mojito
  • Pumpkin Spice Martini

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200
© Marina Delio
Cuisine: American / Category: cocktails