Fall is the time we celebrate the harvest, from corn to apples. It’s also a great time of the year to modify your favorite cocktails with fall flavors. There are lots of options for bringing the flavors of fall into your cocktails, from adding fall fruit brandies to different kinds of bitters, fall flavor syrups, and even dried fruits and fall citruses. Whiskey is a great cocktail base for the fall because it pairs so well with so many different flavors and it already has a warm spiciness. Just about every cocktail, classic or otherwise, can be modified with the addition of simple fall flavors. Check out these cocktail recipes for some inspiration!
Nothing says fall like apple cider! Spiced apple cider with a little whiskey added to it is a festive and simple option. Apple is such a simple flavor to add to any cocktail. You can buy ready-made apple pie flavored coffee syrup to swap out for simple syrup in many recipes, and several companies including Dashfire Bitters and Mother Hylde’s make apple pie bitters.
Traverse City Whiskey Apple Sour
Ingredients
• 2oz Traverse City Whiskey Co Michigan Apple Whiskey
• 1 egg white
• 0.75oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75oz simple syrup
Method
Build in a mixing tin, dry shake (no ice) to incorporate all ingredients. Add ice and shake long and hard. Double strain into coupe glass. Garnish with apple slices and fresh grated cinnamon.
Backcountry Cocktails Mulled Campfire Cider
Ingredients
• 1 quart (1l) apple cider
• 2 oranges
• 8 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 nutmeg, cracked
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
• 1 cup (240ml) bourbon
• Clove-studded orange slices and cinnamon sticks
Method
Bring the cider to a boil in a medium pot on the stove, grill, or campfire. Remove the peel from the oranges with a vegetable peeler, being careful to leave as much of the pith behind as possible. Twist them between your fingers to release the essential oils and add them to the cider. Gather the cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and ginger in a cheesecloth pouch, tie it tightly, and add it to the cider. Cover the pot and simmer the cider for 30 minutes. Remove the orange peel and spice pouch and divide the mulled cider between four mugs. Add 2oz (60ml) bourbon to each and stir. Garnish and serve.
This recipe makes four cocktails.
Old Line Maple Flag Cider
Ingredients
• 1.5oz Old Line Spirits American Single Malt
• 1.5oz apple cider
• 0.25oz maple simple syrup
• 0.25oz lemon juice
• 3 dashes black walnut bitters
Method
Shake all ingredients together and serve over ice in an Old Fashioned or collins glass. Garnish with a dehydrated apple wheel.
