Fall Cocktails To Add Some Spice To Your Party

The leaves are changing, football is dominating the airwaves and those scarves that have been sitting in the bottom of your drawer are making their first appearances in six months. That’s right, kids – fall is here. And if you’re not convinced, just ask any chick decked out in Lululemon yoga pants what’s in her coffee cup. (There’s a 99% chance it’s a pumpkin spice latte.)

Since the days of light glasses of sangria and spiked lemonade are behind us, it’s time to get creative with some fall cocktails to spice up your party and keep you toasty on crisp autumn nights.

Chilled Cider Punch

8 cups of apple cider

1 750 ml bottle of dry hard cider

3 12 oz bottles of ginger beer

1 ½ cups of whiskey

Juice of one lemon

Several dashes of orange bitters

Garnish: Round orange slices and cinnamon sticks

(Serves 15-20 people)

Combine cider, ginger beer, whiskey, lemon juice and bitters into large punch bowl. Stir and top with garnishes.

Autumn Bellini

2 ½ oz of mulled cider syrup

1 oz figenza (Mediterranean fig vodka)

12 oz chilled prosecco

(Makes two drinks)

Combine cider syrup and figenza in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into champagne glasses. Top with prosecco.

Spiced Wine

1 750-ml bottle of medium-bodied red wine

½ cup of sugar

8 whole cloves

4 lemon wedges

4 4” cinnamon sticks

(Makes four drinks)

Bring ingredients to a boil, stirring occasionally. Discard cloves. Ladle wine into glasses and garnish each with a cinnamon stick and lemon wedge. Serve hot.

Russian Caravan

2 oz bourbon

2 oz of Russian tea

½ oz of lemon juice

¼ oz honey

lemon peel for garnish

(Makes one drink)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and pour over ice in a highball glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon peel.

Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Photo credit: http://rachelcarr.com/pumpkin-cocktails/

2 tbsp of pumpkin puree

1 ½ oz bourbon

1 oz maple syrup

½ oz Grand Marnier

Dash of orange bitters

Orange peel twist for garnish

(Makes one drink)

Combine pumpkin puree, bourbon, syrup, Grand Marnier and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Cranberry Crush