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25 Best Fall Cocktails for a Pick-Me-Up

Sip hot buttered rum, an appletini, or mulled wine!

By Erin Cavoto and Georgia Goode
fall cocktail recipes pumpkin martini
Will Dickey

Fall foliage and pumpkin desserts steal the show every autumn, but what would a chilly evening be without a delicious cocktail to warm you right up? Just imagine, a crackling fire, a cool breeze, and a cupful of mulled wine to sip on. Pure heaven! Whether you want to pair a drink with your favorite fall recipes or you're looking to add a festive punch to your Thanksgiving menu or themed Halloween party, read on to find the fall cocktail that's right for you.

Here, you'll discover a tasty pumpkin cocktail that can double as dessert—the pumpkin pie martini! It's creamy, dreamy, and packed with pumpkin spice. But pumpkin isn't the only fall flavor we're covering. In this roundup, you'll also find classic

bourbon cocktails like a sidecar and a hot toddy, along with bourbon-spiked mulled cider that is perfect for cool autumn nights. There's plenty of apple cider cocktails and seasonal martinis, too! Even wine lovers will find plenty of ideas here. Think sangria done every which way and soul-warming mulled wine. Then again, if you're anything like Ree Drummond, you'll want to opt for a coffee cocktail to sip on—just try the espresso martini for the "hottest" drink of the season. With this recipe you'll learn how to master them right at home. Whatever cocktail you choose to cozy up to this season, this list will provide plenty of inspiration. Cheers!

1

Hot Buttered Rum

fall cocktail recipes hot buttered rum
Caitlin Bensel

Full of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, this warm libation is best enjoyed next to a crackling fire on a chilly autumn night. And yes, it really does have butter in it! That's what makes it so deliciously decadent.

Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.

SHOP MUGS

2

Appletini

fall cocktail recipes appletini
Caitlin Bensel

This apple-kissed martini is bold and sweet! It's also the perfect green color for spooky Halloween celebrations. Give your classic dirty martini a rest this season and give this cocktail a whirl!

Get the Appletini recipe.

3

Apple Cider Sangria

fall cocktail recipes apple cider sangria
Ralph Smith

Sweet apple cider and brandy meet crisp white wine in this seasonal sangria. One recipe makes enough for up to eight people, so it's perfect for a crowd. You can even double or triple the recipe if you'd like!

Get Ree's Apple Cider Sangria recipe.

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4

Mudslide

fall cocktail recipes mudslide
Caitlin Bensel

A boozy milkshake hits the spot every time of year, but with Bailey's, coffee liqueur, and fudgy chocolate syrup, it's an especially decadent treat for autumn. Blend up a batch for an adults-only dessert at the season's football watch parties.

Get the Mudslide recipe.

5

Sidecar

fall cocktail recipes sidecar
Hector Sanchez

This may just be the most refreshing bourbon cocktail of all time. With orange liqueur, lemon juice, and bourbon (or cognac), it's the perfect sipper for fall days when you want something bright and fresh.

Get the Sidecar recipe.

SHOP NAPKINS

6

Hot Toddy

hot toddy in glass mug with cinnamon stick
Hector Sanchez

Lighter and less sweet than your typical mulled cider, this warm cocktail is just the thing to sip on after a heavy fall dinner. Plus, it comes together in just five minutes!

Get the Hot Toddy recipe.

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7

Pomegranate Margarita

pomegranate margarita with lime and salt rim
Hector Sanchez

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean margarita season has to come to an end! Make this seasonal twist with pomegranate juice and a hint of maple syrup.

Get the Pomegranate Margarita recipe.

8

Espresso Martini

espresso martini green table linen
Will Dickey

Calling all coffee lovers! This decadent drink is made with both coffee liqueur and fresh espresso (but you can also use cold brew concentrate if you prefer).

Get the Espresso Martini recipe.

9

White Russian

white russian on purple napkin
Hector Sanchez

This classic cocktail is a creamy indulgent treat that’s totally customizable. To make it even sweeter, try adding a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce to the glass.

Get the White Russian recipe.

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10

Negroni

negroni with orange and glass of ice
Nicole Dubois

Serve this classic drink before a big fall dinner party or Thanksgiving feast—it's known as an "apertivo," or a drink to have before dinner.

Get the Negroni recipe.

SHOP GLASSES

11

Pumpkin Pie Martini

pumpkin pie martini on tray
Will Dickey

If you're a fan of sweet treats, you'll love this martini that tastes just like a pumpkin pie! In fact, some people might even consider it equal parts cocktail and fall dessert.

Get the Pumpkin Pie Martini recipe.

12

Ranch Water

ranch water with limes and topo chico bottles
Hector Sanchez

Come fall, there are plenty of heavier comfort foods and baked goods to indulge in, so it’s refreshing to have a light drink, like this tequila-based cocktail, that won’t weight you down.

Get the Ranch Water recipe.

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13

Classic Bloody Mary

classic bloody mary with garnishes on plate
Will Dickey

Whether it's for a Halloween party or a fall brunch celebration, this bloody Mary is sure to be hit. Serve it with a variety of garnishes on the side and let your guests help themselves!

Get the Classic Bloody Mary recipe.

14

Irish Coffee

irish coffee in glass mug
The Pioneer Woman

Calling all coffee lovers! This cup of joe is spiked with whiskey, then topped with a generous heaping of Bailey's-infused whipped cream. Yum!

Get Ree's Irish Coffee recipe.

15

Cranberry Mulled Wine

cranberry mulled wine fall cocktails
Ralph Smith

This holiday-inspired mulled wine is made with fresh cranberries and plenty of spices, so it's guaranteed to warm you up.

Get Ree's Cranberry Mulled Wine recipe.

SHOP SERVING TRAYS

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16

Mulled Apple Cider

mulled maple apple cider fall cocktails
Ralph Smith

Put a pot of this easy mulled cider on the stove for any fall occasion. When your guests arrive, they'll love a steamy mug of the spiced cocktail.

Get Ree's Mulled Apple Cider recipe.

17

Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic

cranberry thyme gin and tonic fall cocktails
A Farmgirl's Dabbles

Give the classic gin and tonic cocktail an autumnal spin by adding tart cranberry juice, sweet orange juice, and some fresh thyme.

Get the Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic recipe.

18

Orange, Apple, and Cranberry Sangria

winter sangria fall cocktails
Ralph Smith

This cocktail recipe proves that sangria can be a year-round drink after all. Give it a fall spin by adding cranberries and apples.

Get Ree's Orange, Apple, and Cranberry Sangria recipe.

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19

Mulled Cider With Bourbon

mulled cider
Con Poulos

A splash of bourbon turns this fall favorite into a cozy cocktail. It's the perfect pick-me-up after a day of raking leaves.

Get Ree's Mulled Cider With Bourbon recipe.

20

Spiced Apple Cider Pomegranate Moscow Mules

spiced apple cider pomegranate moscow mule
Heather Christo/The Pioneer Woman

Chilled apple cider, cinnamon, and fresh apple slices–it doesn't get more fall-inspired than that!

Get the Spiced Apple Cider Pomegranate Moscow Mules recipe.

SHOP PITCHERS

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