The Ultimate Guide to Fall Cocktails: 45 Recipes
Autumn is the perfect time to experiment with rich, warm flavors that complement the cozy season. Whether you're crafting cocktails for yourself or hosting a fall gathering, using iconic fall flavors will set the tone. In this guide, we'll break down nine fall-flavor staples and provide you with five creative cocktails for each one, covering vodka, rum, tequila, bourbon, and gin. We'll also include single-serving recipes as well as batched recipes for larger groups (around 1 liter).
PUMPKIN COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Pumpkin is the quintessential fall flavor, symbolizing everything from cozy sweaters to festive gatherings. Whether you're using fresh pumpkin puree or pumpkin spice, it adds a rich and creamy texture to cocktails.
Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Single Serving:
1 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 oz half-and-half
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, coffee liqueur, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and top with half-and-half. Stir gently.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
250 ml vodka
250 ml coffee liqueur
150 g pumpkin puree
250 ml half-and-half
2 tsp pumpkin spice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill and stir before serving.
Pumpkin Mojito
Single Serving:
2 oz light rum
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 oz lime juice
1 tsp sugar
8-10 fresh mint leaves
Club soda
Ice
Instructions: Muddle mint, lime juice, and sugar in a glass. Add pumpkin puree and rum, stir, and top with club soda and ice.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml light rum
100 g pumpkin puree
125 ml lime juice
2 tbsp sugar
40-50 mint leaves
Club soda
Instructions: Muddle mint, lime juice, and sugar in a pitcher. Add pumpkin puree and rum, stir, and top with club soda before serving.
Pumpkin Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz agave syrup
Cinnamon sugar rim
Ice
Instructions: Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into the prepared glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
150 g pumpkin puree
125 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
60 ml agave syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill before serving.
Pumpkin Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/2 oz maple syrup
2 dashes of bitters
Ice
Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a glass with a large ice cube.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
150 g pumpkin puree
60 ml maple syrup
10 dashes of bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher or bottle. Stir and chill before serving.
Pumpkin Gin Sour
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Egg white (optional)
Ice
Instructions: Dry shake (without ice) all ingredients. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
150 g pumpkin puree
125 ml lemon juice
60 ml simple syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir. Serve chilled.
APPLE COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Apples are synonymous with fall, from apple picking to spiced ciders. Their sweet-tart flavor works perfectly in cocktails, bringing a fresh, seasonal twist to your drinks.
Apple Mule
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz apple juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Ginger beer
Ice
Instructions: Combine vodka, apple juice, and lime juice in a copper mug with ice. Top with ginger beer.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml apple juice
125 ml lime juice
Ginger beer (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Chill, and top with ginger beer before serving.
Apple Spiced Daiquiri
Single Serving:
2 oz spiced rum
1 oz apple cider
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml spiced rum
250 ml apple cider
125 ml lime juice
60 ml simple syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill and stir before serving.
Apple Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz apple cider
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml apple cider
125 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill before serving.
Apple Cider Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz apple cider
1/2 oz maple syrup
2 dashes bitters
Ice
Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a glass with a large ice cube.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
250 ml apple cider
60 ml maple syrup
10 dashes bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Chill and stir before serving.
Apple Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz apple juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, apple juice, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml apple juice
125 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water. Chill, and top with soda water before serving.
CINNAMON COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Cinnamon adds warmth and a spicy kick to any drink, making it a must-have ingredient for autumn cocktails. It pairs well with many fall fruits and provides a comforting flavor that evokes the coziness of the season.
Cinnamon Moscow Mule
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz cinnamon syrup
1/2 oz lime juice
Ginger beer
Ice
Instructions: Combine vodka, cinnamon syrup, and lime juice in a copper mug with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml cinnamon syrup
125 ml lime juice
Ginger beer (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Chill, and top with ginger beer before serving.
Spiced Cinnamon Rum Punch
Single Serving:
2 oz spiced rum
1 oz cinnamon syrup
1 oz pineapple juice
Club soda
Ice
Instructions: Shake rum, cinnamon syrup, and pineapple juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with club soda.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml spiced rum
250 ml cinnamon syrup
250 ml pineapple juice
Club soda (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except club soda. Chill and top with club soda before serving.
Cinnamon Tequila Sour
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz cinnamon syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Egg white (optional)
Ice
Instructions: Dry shake all ingredients without ice. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml cinnamon syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Cinnamon Bourbon Smash
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz cinnamon syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
Fresh mint leaves
Ice
Instructions: Muddle mint with cinnamon syrup and lemon juice. Add bourbon and shake with ice. Strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
250 ml cinnamon syrup
125 ml lemon juice
Fresh mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle mint with syrup and lemon juice in a pitcher. Add bourbon and stir. Chill before serving.
Cinnamon Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz cinnamon syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml cinnamon syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Chill and top with soda water before serving.
MAPLE COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Maple syrup adds a rich, earthy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the deeper flavors of autumn cocktails. It's often used as a natural sweetener, bringing a warm, comforting taste to drinks.
Maple Vodka Sour
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz maple syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Egg white (optional)
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, maple syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml maple syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Maple Rum Punch
Single Serving:
2 oz dark rum
1 oz maple syrup
1 oz lime juice
1 oz pineapple juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml dark rum
250 ml maple syrup
125 ml lime juice
125 ml pineapple juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Maple Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz maple syrup
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass with a salted rim.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml maple syrup
250 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz maple syrup
2 dashes bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions: Stir bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain into a glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
125 ml maple syrup
10 dashes bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Maple Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz maple syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, maple syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml maple syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Chill, and top with soda water before serving.
PEAR COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Pears bring a soft, sweet flavor that pairs well with spices and other fall ingredients. Their mild sweetness makes them a versatile base for a range of cocktails, offering a smooth, refreshing taste.
Pear Vodka Collins
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz pear juice
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, pear juice, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml pear juice
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Pear Rum Smash
Single Serving:
2 oz light rum
1 oz pear juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Fresh mint leaves
Ice
Instructions: Muddle mint with pear juice and lime juice. Add rum and shake with ice. Strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml light rum
250 ml pear juice
125 ml lime juice
Fresh mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle mint, pear juice, and lime juice in a pitcher. Add rum, stir, and chill before serving.
Pear Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz pear juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml pear juice
125 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Pear Bourbon Sour
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz pear juice
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
250 ml pear juice
250 ml lemon juice
60 ml simple syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Pear Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz pear juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, pear juice, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml pear juice
125 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
CRANBERRY COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Cranberries bring a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, making them a quintessential fall ingredient. They’re often associated with Thanksgiving and holiday celebrations, providing a vibrant color and flavor in cocktails.
Cranberry Vodka Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml cranberry juice
125 ml lime juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Cranberry Rum Punch
Single Serving:
2 oz white rum
1 oz cranberry juice
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml white rum
250 ml cranberry juice
125 ml orange juice
125 ml lime juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Cranberry Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml cranberry juice
125 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Cranberry Bourbon Smash
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves
Ice
Instructions: Muddle mint with cranberry juice and simple syrup. Add bourbon and shake with ice. Strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
250 ml cranberry juice
125 ml lemon juice
60 ml simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves
Instructions: Muddle mint, cranberry juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Add bourbon, stir, and chill before serving.
Cranberry Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, cranberry juice, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml cranberry juice
125 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
CARAMEL COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Caramel adds a rich, buttery sweetness to fall cocktails, perfectly complementing other warm, cozy flavors like apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin. Whether used in syrups or as a garnish, it adds a luxurious depth to any drink.
Caramel Apple Martini
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz caramel syrup
1 oz apple juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, caramel syrup, and apple juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml caramel syrup
250 ml apple juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Caramel Rum Sour
Single Serving:
2 oz dark rum
1 oz caramel syrup
1 oz lime juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml dark rum
250 ml caramel syrup
250 ml lime juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Caramel Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz caramel syrup
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salted-rimmed glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml caramel syrup
250 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Caramel Bourbon Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz caramel syrup
2 dashes bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions: Stir bourbon, caramel syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain into a glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
125 ml caramel syrup
10 dashes bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Caramel Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz caramel syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, caramel syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml caramel syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
VANILLA COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Vanilla is a versatile flavor that brings a smooth, creamy sweetness to fall cocktails. Its warm aroma and subtle flavor profile pair beautifully with many fall ingredients like cinnamon, caramel, and apple.
Vanilla Pear Martini
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz vanilla syrup
1 oz pear juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, vanilla syrup, and pear juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml vanilla syrup
250 ml pear juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Vanilla Spiced Rum Punch
Single Serving:
2 oz spiced rum
1 oz vanilla syrup
1 oz pineapple juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml spiced rum
250 ml vanilla syrup
250 ml pineapple juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Vanilla Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz vanilla syrup
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml vanilla syrup
250 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz vanilla syrup
2 dashes bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions: Stir bourbon, vanilla syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain into a glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
125 ml vanilla syrup
10 dashes bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Vanilla Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz vanilla syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, vanilla syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml vanilla syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
CHAI COCKTAILS
Why it’s a fall staple:
Chai, with its blend of warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, is a quintessential fall flavor. Its rich and spicy profile works perfectly in cocktails, offering depth and warmth for colder weather.
Chai Spiced Martini
Single Serving:
2 oz vodka
1 oz chai syrup
1 oz almond milk (or other milk)
Ice
Instructions: Shake vodka, chai syrup, and milk with ice. Strain into a martini glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml vodka
250 ml chai syrup
250 ml almond milk
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Chai Spiced Rum Punch
Single Serving:
2 oz dark rum
1 oz chai syrup
1 oz pineapple juice
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml dark rum
250 ml chai syrup
250 ml pineapple juice
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Chai Margarita
Single Serving:
2 oz tequila
1 oz chai syrup
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec
Ice
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml tequila
250 ml chai syrup
250 ml lime juice
125 ml triple sec
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Chai Bourbon Old Fashioned
Single Serving:
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz chai syrup
2 dashes bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions: Stir bourbon, chai syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain into a glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml bourbon
125 ml chai syrup
10 dashes bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
Chai Gin Fizz
Single Serving:
2 oz gin
1 oz chai syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Shake gin, chai syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.
Batched Recipe (1 liter):
500 ml gin
250 ml chai syrup
250 ml lemon juice
Soda water (to top off)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a pitcher. Stir and chill before serving.
