Orange leaves, cinnamon, warm sweaters, family gatherings, baking, and trick-or-treating are so many things we love about fall. For the grown-ups, the biggest highlight of Autumn is sipping the crisp cocktails during happy hours. Kicking off the orange season with boozy drinks, especially the ones infused with the beloved fall flavours seems just right – tell us otherwise.
While fall is just the beginning of the festive season, having transitional cocktails that mark the change between seasons and warm body and soul is never too early. While the kids enjoy their hot cocoa and pumpkin-spiced everything, we ask you to bring out your bar tools and shake up these 12 hand-curated cocktail recipes to make the most of fall’s spices.
Cider Bourbon Cocktail
An ultimate fall drink for adults, the Cider Bourbon Cocktail straight equals the autumn bliss. This simple yet subtle combination of apple cider, bourbon, lemon, and ginger makes a great crowd-pleaser, especially on Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
Apple cider
Bourbon
Fresh lemon juice
Fresh ginger
Coffee Spritz
Do more with a shot of espresso this season. When you need a better pick-me-up than a cup of hot coffee, try making a Coffee Spritz. Just mix espresso, bourbon, sparkling water, orange juice, and a sweetener, and your refreshing drink is ready.
Ingredients:
Espresso
Sparkling Water
Bourbon
Orange
Sugar
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
When the weather starts to get chilly, bank on this classic drink to keep you warm and snug with its warm notes of spices, honey, and bourbon.
Ingredients:
Bourbon
Honey
Lemon juice
Tea bag
Star anise
Irish Iced Coffee
Craving a dessert and a drink? Say no more. An Irish Iced Coffee makes for a decadent drink with just four ingredients namely coffee, Irish whiskey, sweetener, and heavy cream.
Ingredients:
Irish whiskey
Coffee
Sugar
Heavy cream
WC30
Coffee infused whiskey, baileys and orange liqueur? Sounds like a dream if you ask us. This one’s rather easy to make too. Thank us later.
Ingredients:
60 ml Coffee Infused Whiskey
10 ml Homemade Baileys
30 ml Homemade Orange Liqueur
10 ml Cream
Orange Peel (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the coffee-infused whiskey, baileys, orange liqueur, and cream.
2. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel. Serve immediately for a refined experience.
Recipe Courtesy: OZEN Bar at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
Common Sense
We’re talking sweet but potent (and aromatic) – a drink that could possibly have you on your knees but in the very best way. Here’s how you can make this.
Ingredients:
45ml Raisin-infused Rum
15ml Coffee Liqueur
10ml Lavender Syrup
2 sprigs of Rosemary
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, adding the raisin-infused rum, coffee liqueur, and lavender syrup.
- Add the rosemary sprigs, gently pressing them with a muddler or the back of a spoon to release their essence.
- Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds, allowing the flavours to meld and for the rosemary to infuse.
- Fine-strain the mixture into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
- Garnish with a single rosemary sprig, its piney aroma wafting up to greet you.
Recipe Courtesy: Steve Sunny at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore.
Spiced Rum Punch
Honestly who doesn’t love a rum punch? We sure do and this masterfully curated recipe from Mementos by ITC Hotels Jaipur is an absolute catch. Learn how to make it here.
Ingredients:
60ml dark rum
30ml pineapple juice
30ml cranberry juice
15ml cinnamon syrup
7.5ml nutmeg syrup (nutmeg infused in simple syrup)
Splash of grenadine
Recipe Courtesy: Mementos by ITC Hotels Jaipur
Taxi Queen
Blending the warmth of bourbon and vanilla tea with the freshness of red apple juice, the drink runs deep with complex flavours like cinnamon with Caol Ila and orange bitters. The garnish is an edible rice paper that adds a touch of creativity and visual appeal.
Ingredients:
45ml Bourbon & Vanilla Tea
10ml Caol Ila
30ml Fresh Red Apple Juice
10ml Cinnamon syrup
3 drops Stillabunt
5ml Lime Juice
2.5ml Orange Bitters
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients into a cobbler shaker.
- Shake well, strain, and serve in a cocktail glass (rock).
- Garnish with an edible paper garnish.
Image & Recipe Courtesy: JW Marriott Hotel, Kolkata
Buzurg Sanyasi
Translating to “old monk” in the literal sense, this drink sets the tone for a chilly evening with a rather rustic take on the classic rum and coke.
Ingredients:
45ml Old Monk Rum
15ml Lime juice
10ml Simple syrup
2.5gm Sikanji Masala
Top with Thums Up
Recipe Courtesy: YAYAvar, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata
Vanilla Swing
Here’s your ticket to tropical paradise with Vanilla Swing — a delightful cocktail that promises a burst of flavours, reminiscent of an escapade.
Ingredients:
60ml Irish Whiskey
15ml Monin Vanilla Syrup
30ml Apple Juice
Instructions:
- Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes
- Pour all the ingredients into the mixing glass
- Gently stir it for 45 seconds
- Place 16 cubes of ice in the Rocks glass
- Strain it over the ice on the glass
- Spray orange zest and garnish with orange spiral. Enjoy!
Recipe Courtesy: Anurag Sivadasan at VARU By Atmosphere Maldives
45ml Cinnamon & Coconut infused whiskey
15ml Banana liqueur
2 Dash Aromatic bitters
60ml Rum
45ml Beetroot, carrot and cinnamon cordial
90ml Apple Soda water
Build up and serve with dehydrated Apple
Images: Pinterest
