Last Updated on February 27, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Bourbon is arguably more “fall” than any other spirit because of its golden autumn hue and spicy caramel flavor. Of course, there are many more ways to serve bourbon than drinking them straight or neat.
Here are some fall bourbon cocktails to get you in the mood for crunchy leaves and crisp temperatures.
Top 14 Fall Bourbon Cocktails Perfect
14. Classic Manhattan
The Classic Manhattan is a classic fall staple. To make this cocktail, mix two parts of bourbon, half part dry vermouth, add a dash of Angostura bitters, then garnish with a maraschino cherry.
We love how it is sophisticated yet palatable, and its color reminds us of crisp autumn leaves.
Read: Best Bourbons For Manhattan
13. Old Pal
The Old Pal is an iteration of the classic Boulevardier and replaces the bourbon with rye whiskey. It’s made by mixing equal parts of rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth and garnishing with a lemon twist.
Of course, this isn’t a recipe set in stone — you can play around with the portion sizes to know which composition you like best.
12. Classic Old Fashioned
The Classic Old Fashioned is chock-full of rich, spiced flavors, making it the perfect fall drink. It’s made by combining bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters in a rocks glass and garnishing with a lemon twist.
Read: Best Bourbons For Old-Fashioned
11. Walnut Old Fashioned
The Walnut Old Fashioned combines the seasonal flavors of maple and walnut with an Old Fashioned. Gather bourbon, maple syrup, and walnut bitters, and put them inside a rocks glass. Add a cracked walnut for the finishing touch.
10. The Godfather
The Godfather was named after the 1970’s Oscar-winning movie of the same name. It’s incredibly easy to make, with only two ingredients in its recipe: whiskey and amaretto.
Using bourbon for the recipe ensures that it will have caramel and baking spice notes, making it perfect for fall.
Also, with only two ingredients in your arsenal, the ones you use can make (or break!) your drink, so make sure you use top-grade quality.
9. Sazerac
A well-made Sazerac is one of the best fall drinks, as it’s equal parts soft and bold. It’s made by mixing equal parts of rye whiskey and cognac, with three dashes of Peychaud’s bitters and two dashes of Angostura bitters.
Make sure you rinse the cocktail glass with some absinthe first, as its licorice profile makes all the difference.
8. De La Louisiane
The De La Louisiane is just one of the many cocktails that New Orleans originally came up with.
It is sweet and herbal at the same time, perfect for the season. It’s made by mixing rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine (a herbal liqueur made with 27 herbs and spices), absinthe, and Peychaud’s bitters in a cocktail glass.
7. Toronto Cocktail
Depending on how you look at it, Toronto can either be an iteration of the Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Either way, it was named after Toronto, Canada’s largest city.
The Toronto is a whiskey-forward cocktail with a slight bitterness, making it a great aperitif [1] for your turkey dinner.
It’s made with two ounces of rye whiskey, two dashes of Angostura bitters, and a bit of Fernet-Branca (a traditional Italian digestif).
Simple syrup is also traditionally added to balance out the bitterness.
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6. Whiskey Buck
The Whiskey Buck is a simple, no-frills cocktail perfect for crisp autumn evenings.
It’s made by mixing three parts of whiskey with four parts of ginger beer and adding a bit of lime juice and sugar syrup to adjust the overall flavor.
5. Lion’s Tail
The Lion’s Tail first appeared in 1937 in “The Cafe Royal Cocktail Book.” It’s a rich, spicy, and aromatic bourbon cocktail — three words that perfectly describe staple fall foods.
This fall cocktail is made with bourbon, allspice dram, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and simple syrup and garnished with an orange peel. [2]
4. Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is one of the most popular bourbon cocktail drinks. It’s an iteration of the classic Negroni, where gin is replaced with American bourbon, and other ingredients like Campari and sweet vermouth are still present.
The recipe is warming and spicy, perfect for the fall weather.
Read: Best Bourbons For Boulevardier
3. Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule subs vodka for bourbon (thus, the play on the name Moscow Mule). You can use the traditional copper mug for this bourbon cocktail, but a highball glass will do just fine if you don’t have it.
This fizzy cocktail is made by mixing bourbon, ginger beer, and a bit of lime juice.
Read: Best Bourbons For Kentucky Mule
2. Trinidad Sour
The Trinidad Sour is a rich and herbal cocktail, which may take some time to get used to.
It’s made with a whopping 1.5 ounces of Angostura bitters (instead of the regular few dashes), so you know this will kick you in the face with plenty of flavors.
Other ingredients include rye whiskey, lemon juice, and an ounce of orgeat.
1. Hot Toddy
The Hot Toddy is the quintessential fall drink, perfect for enjoying in front of a roaring fire. You will need to heat up some water on the stove and pour it into a large mug.
Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey, and adjust the ingredients to suit your taste buds.
If you’re feeling a bit fancier, swap the water with lemon juice, and heat it with fresh apple slices and cranberry buds.
Read: Best Bourbons For Hot Toddy
FAQs
Should you drink bourbon cocktails in the fall?
Yes, of course. You should definitely drink bourbon cocktails during the fall, as no other spirit is as autumnal as the sweet and spicy bourbon whiskey.
Can you drink fall bourbon cocktails year-round?
Yes, you can drink fall bourbon cocktails year-round. The fall bourbon cocktails listed above are great to serve friends, no matter which season.
Should you drink hot or cold bourbon during the fall season?
We find that hot bourbon is perfect for the crisp autumn weather. Of course, if you prefer chilled bourbon, you can have it that way, too.
What are fall bourbon cocktails?
Fall bourbon cocktails are seasonal drinks made with bourbon and ingredients that capture the flavors of autumn, such as spices, apple cider, pumpkin, and maple syrup.
Can you give examples of fall bourbon cocktails?
Examples include the Bourbon Apple Cider, Maple Bourbon Smash, Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, and Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy, each highlighting the cozy and comforting flavors of the season.
Why are fall bourbon cocktails popular?
Fall bourbon cocktails are popular because they evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia, perfectly complementing the cooler weather and harvest season with their rich and flavorful profiles.
Are fall bourbon cocktails easy to make at home?
Yes! Many fall bourbon cocktails are simple to make with just a few ingredients and basic mixing techniques, allowing you to enjoy the tastes of autumn in the comfort of your own home.
In A Nutshell
Bourbon is a quintessential fall drink (more so than other spirits), so it makes perfect sense to serve these fall bourbon cocktails for the season.
When we think of fall, our mind automatically goes to crisp and spicy flavors, and the drinks listed above fit the bill perfectly.
So whether you decide to make a Hot Toddy, Trinidad Sour, or Kentucky Mule, trust that they have all the flavors you’re looking for in a fall cocktail.
Try these recipes out for yourself, and let us know what you think by sounding off below.
References:
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/aperitif-recipes
- https://www.seriouseats.com/the-lions-tail-whiskey-cocktail-recipe
