Fall is a wonderful time of year. The leaves are changing, the cooler nights lead to cozy evenings by the fire, and there are plenty of seasonal ingredients to play with. It’s with those seasonal ingredients in mind that we’re showcasing five fall cocktails to put you in the mood. Each of these highlight a different fall flavour, so there’s plenty of options to try.

The Long Hello

Designed by Damon Boelte, the bar director at Brooklyn’s Prime Meats in Carroll Gardens, this is a simple and warming fall cocktail that feels that much more elegant with the addition of the champagne.

Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz apple brandy
• 0.75 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 dash Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel–Aged Bitters or Fee Brothers Old Fashion Aromatic Bitters
• Champagne (or dry sparkling wine)

Method: Stir brandy, St. Germain, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Top with champagne and grate nutmeg on top.

Dewar’s Apres Ski

Nothing quite feels like fall more than fresh baked apple pie. This comes very close to giving that warm comforting feeling, with a hint of apple and vanilla.

Ingredients: 

• 1 oz Dewar’s 12
• 1 oz Martini Bianco
• 1 oz Sparkling Apple Cider

Method: Combine all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Stir well with ice. Pour into a wine glass and top with ice. Garnish with apple slices and a vanilla pod.

Cranberry Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Moscow mules are already a perfect fall drink, but with some simple substitutions it can become an essential part to any fall party.

Ingredients:

• 2oz Wyborowa Vodka
• 1oz Cranberry juice
• 2oz Sparkling apple cider
• 1 bottle of ginger beer
• Fresh cranberries

Method: Fill a mule mug with crushed ice. Pour in the vodka, cranberry juice and apple cider. Top with ginger beer, stir gently to combine and garnish with fresh cranberries.

Napoleon’s Loss

An allusion to the former French empire’s withdrawal from Mexico and all its agave splendour, Napoleon’s Loss comes from New York’s 1534.

Ingredients:

• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz ginger-agave syrup
• 2 oz anejo tequila
• 0.25 oz mezcal

Method: For the ginger-agave syrup: In a resealable jar, stir 1.5 oz ginger juice into 1.5 oz agave nectar until loosened. Cover and shake well. Combine lemon juice, ginger-agave syrup, and tequila in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube, top with mezcal.

Pumpkin Spice Martini

Yes, everything can be made into pumpkin spice, including your cocktails. This is a simple martini variation that relies on a seasonal pumpkin spice vodka.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces pumpkin vodka
• 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur
• Splash of half and half

Method: Rim an empty martini glass with cinnamon sugar. Meanwhile, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, Irish cream, and half and half. Shake well to combine and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.