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Turn classic drinks into fall and winter cocktails
Try these classic cocktails recipes with seasonal ingredients, perfect for cozying up in fall and winter.
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- Illustration
- Danielle Grinberg
Can you feel that crisp chill in the air? With sweater weather season upon us, activities like apple picking and cozy scenes with crackling fireplaces have us all thinking about switching up our cocktail game to incorporate seasonal ingredients. Apples, of course, are an important one, along with cinnamon, maple syrup, pomegranate, cranberry and cider. It’s surprisingly easy to put a fall/winter spin on classic drinks, so let us take you through a few seasonally-inspired cocktails that will make you feel right at (cozy) home.
Swap simple syrup for maple syrup
The traditional whiskey old fashioned is arguably already made for sweater weather, given that it’s a perfect balance of sweet, vanilla and oaky flavors. Make it even more autumnal with maple syrup instead of simple syrup, apple cider for tartness, and a few dashes of chocolate bitters to highlight the richness of the drink.
Incorporate seasonal ingredients into classic cocktails
The martini is a classic for a reason – it’s simple, bright and elegant in both composition and presentation. This take on the drink incorporates pomegranate and apple flavors, providing a burst of sour fruit to balance out the sweet.
Garnish with seasonal fruits
The Kir Royale is another tried and true drink, made from a base of blackberry liqueur and topped off with Champagne. For this cooler weather version of the cocktail, substitute the liqueur for the fruity and tart taste of Pimm's No. 1 toped with champagne. Throw a few cranberries on top for a festive touch.
Stock up on dark spirits that pack a fall punch
Dark spirits like whiskey and rum often have warm and spicy tasting notes that make them perfect for sipping when the temperatures drop. This rum punch is tropical, sweet and fruity – but it has a nice undercurrent of vanilla and oak from the dark rum component. To add the fall feels, use apple juice or cider instead of pineapple, and swap the lime and orange juices for maple syrup and a splash of pear liqueur.
Break out the tequila to fit right in with fall flavors
Tequila is a versatile spirit and therefore a champion of all seasons – whether you're bringing out tequila's sweet and fruity notes for your summer cocktails or the earthy, peppery notes for the colder months, there's a lot you can do with this spirit. Ranch water is such a popular tequila drink these days, and this minimal highball drink can be easily transformed for any season with just a few simple ingredients. This autumnal variation adds a little apple to the mix, and a dried fruit and cinnamon stick garnish will bring some spice and sweet to the flavor profile.