Food and Recipes Drinks 22 Fall Cocktails To Toast The Season These easy fall cocktail recipes are perfect for serving at any event. By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Associate Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories.She grew up in Mobile, Alabama, which she insists is home to the country's first Mardi Gras (not New Orleans) and now lives in Birmingham with her husband and rescue pup Rocky, whose name is unrelated to The University of Tennessee (Roll Tide). Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox In many regions of the South, you're as likely to see a true fall season as you are a unicorn. Blistering summer days often continue into the autumn months until they turn bitter cold. However uncooperative the fall weather can be, Southerners will stand their ground, drink their cider, and carve their pumpkins, even if said pumpkins melt into a mess on the porch. Regardless of how the weather behaves this season, we'll raise a glass filled with one of our favorite fall cocktails. We've got plenty of refreshing fall cocktails that will keep you cool on hot Southern nights but still showcase fall flavors like warm spices and apple cider. If it does happen to get chilly out, we have some of the best warm fall cocktail recipes for you to savor. Look no further than this list if you need a big-batch fall cocktail for your tailgate or at-home football watch party. And finally, if you're getting dressy this autumn, our easy fall cocktails will solidify you as the hostess with the most-ess.Whether you're a cider-lover, a beer drinker, or a wine enthusiast, there is a fall cocktail on this list that you'll love. Grab your flannels and scarves—these comforting cocktails will make it feel like fall, even if it's over 80 degrees outside, so from tailgates to dinner parties, cozy up with our favorite fall flavors. 01 of 22 Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch Caitlin Bensel It remains warm outside for much of the fall in the South, so a refreshing chilled drink made with seasonal ingredients fits the bill perfectly. This cider is deliciously sweet with a tart flavor. Using fresh fruit during apple season will make this cider even more festive. 02 of 22 Cranberry-Apple Cider Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This big-batch, sweet, and slightly tart cider is the ideal warm cocktail for a chilly evening around a fire pit. To keep it family-friendly, skip the bourbon. Best of all, the aroma fills the house (with or without alcohol) as the cider mulls on the stovetop. 03 of 22 Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail Becky Luigart Stayner Apple cider might feel a little overdone on the fall drink scene, but this pear cider cocktail made with simple honey syrup is fresh and delicious. You can have a unique drink that feels festive in under ten minutes. Use any bourbon you prefer to make this cocktail. 04 of 22 Apple Cider Shandy Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis With just three ingredients, this easy, zesty cocktail can make the perfect refreshing big-batch drink for tailgate parties. It's half hard cider and half apple cider, so you get the best of both worlds. Be mindful of the sugar content in your hard cider choice because the apple cider will likely have enough of it to make this cocktail perfectly sweet. 05 of 22 Maple Bourbon Smash Becky Luigart Stayner This sage-infused cocktail is ideal for porch sitting and sipping. Mix fresh fruit, liquor, and, most importantly, crushed ice for this traditional beverage. The lemon, maple syrup, and bourbon work together in perfect harmony. 06 of 22 Cranberry Sangria Punch Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith With a hint of seasonal flavors from the cranberries and apples, this libation will surely start your dinner party off on a bright, bubbly note. Cranberry Sangria is a favorite winter cocktail for a reason. Make it a day before guests arrive, and add the Champagne before serving. 07 of 22 Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Every Southern hostess has a go-to Christmas punch and bridal shower punch recipe, but why stop there? This big-batch cocktail will disappear before your eyes at every fall party and tailgate. The bright orange punch will add festive color to your table. 08 of 22 Aperol-Bourbon Fizz Becky Luigart Stayner If you love a classic summertime Aperol spritz, add this delicious spinoff to your holiday hosting lineup. Bourbon fans will love this holiday cocktail infused with mint, plus it's easy to make. With just four ingredients and garnish, you'll prepare these cocktails in no time. 09 of 22 Spiced Hard Cider Fizz Becky Luigart Stayner The secret to this drink is the homemade spiced simple syrup. This syrup adds a festive fall touch, especially when mixed with hard apple cider and bourbon. This flavorful beverage is excellent for accompanying desserts or as a pre-dinner drink. 10 of 22 Hot Toddy Micah A. Leal This classic cold-weather cocktail will comfort you during chilly fall nights and even help ease a sore throat. Lemon and honey add to this drink's comforting qualities. Even if you are not feeling sick, this hot cocktail is tasty enough to enjoy anytime. 11 of 22 Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Cool off with this chilled punch while tailgating at a football game. This sparking apple cider drink, made with frozen cranberries, combines the sweet flavors of brown sugar and honey with a bit of fresh lemon juice for zest. This cocktail carries all the cozy flavors of the season. 12 of 22 Caramel Apple Sangria Photo: Alison Miksch, Food styling: Erin Merhar; Prop styling: Prissy Lee This cocktail featuring pecan-flavored vodka is excellent for making ahead and bringing to get-togethers. Plus, the recipe is easy to scale up or down, depending on the size of your crowd. It's deliciously sweet and full of fall flavor. 13 of 22 Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Love a classic Hot Toddy? When the cool air finally rolls in, try warming up with this rendition that tastes like fall in a glass. Its spiciness comes from dried crushed red pepper and ginger, which pairs perfectly with orange pekoe tea. 14 of 22 Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher Becky Luigart Stayner Think of this big-batch cocktail as a spirited and spiced Arnold Palmer. Made for the season, this sipper is perfectly refreshing and full of fall flavor. The honey-infused syrup and orange wedges make this drink thoroughly Southern. 15 of 22 Bourbon Slush Caitlin Bensel Summer doesn't get to have all the fun with boozy slushies! This chilly sipper will be our go-to for at-home tailgates when it's still hot. It's easy to make and easier to drink. Plus, you can make it ahead and store it in your freezer for your next football party. 16 of 22 Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch Caitlin Bensel Talk about an effortless entertaining—punch. This ginger ale punch is the way to go. Switch up your weekly wine night with this sparkling, seasonal refreshment. 17 of 22 Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon Southern Living This recipe combines two of the season's staples—apple pie and bourbon, so it's amazingly autumnal and delicious. Enjoy it on the rocks or in your favorite bourbon cocktail. It takes only five ingredients to master this cocktail. 18 of 22 Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine Becky Luigart Stayner This cocktail recipe couldn't get more Southern. It's like a spiked cherry Coke made with maraschino cherries, bourbon, bitters, and a dash of lemon juice. This vintage-inspired cocktail will be a hit at any gathering. 19 of 22 Fizzy Cider Punch Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith This recipe dresses up classic cider, so it's ready to party. With just a few ingredients, this fizzy fall drink is fit for a crowd. Achieve the golden color by using both red and green apples. 20 of 22 Williams Family Wassail Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This spiced drink calls for cozying up around a fire with friends or family. Combine apple cider with pineapple and lemon juices for a fruit-filled beverage, perfectly sweetened with honey and brown sugar. Don't forget the cinnamon sticks for garnish. 21 of 22 Big-Batch Mulled Cider Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely For easy entertaining, fruit and spices infuse this crowd-favorite mulled cider. It's also easy to make this a beverage everyone can enjoy by serving it alcohol-free. Or, you can make it boozy by adding your spirit of choice. 22 of 22 Montgomery Punch Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller It wouldn't be a Southern gathering without a punch bowl around. We love this recipe as a sweet drink for any fall or holiday party. Combine brandy, sugar, and lemon juice with sparkling and dessert wines. Love these fall cocktails? Check out these fall appetizers that will pair perfectly with these drinks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit