Falling for Flavor: The Cocktails Defining Autumn 2025
The first crisp breeze of the season has arrived, and with it comes the unofficial swap from spritzes to something a little warmer, bolder, and more layered. Fall cocktails aren’t just about what’s in the glass — they’re about the ritual, the mood, and the moment. Whether you’re sinking into a leather armchair by the fire, bundling up after a weekend apple-picking trip, or just looking to elevate a cozy night at home, this season’s cocktails deliver the perfect balance of comfort and craft. From smoky takes on classics to playful twists with unexpected ingredients like matcha and pineapple gum syrup, these recipes prove that fall drinking is as much about creativity as it is about tradition.
If you’re looking to shake things up this Fall, here are a few cocktails to try:
Blood Orange Margarita
1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila OR Casamigos Reposado Tequila
.75 oz. Fresh Blood Orange Juice
.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.5 oz. Simple Syrup
½ Thick Rim Equal Parts Chili Salt/Sugar
Garnish Blood Orange Wheel
Wet ½ rim of glass with lime wheel or wedge and dip into salt mixture. Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker (and muddle serrano if using.) Add ice, shake vigorously and fine strain into a rimmed rocks glass. Add fresh ice and garnish.
NOTE: To make spicy add 2 Dashes Scrappy’s Fire Tincture Bitters OR 2 Serrano Slices
The Official Cocktail of Fighting Irish Fans: Fighting Irish Highball
2 oz Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
2 oz Apple Juice
2 oz Ginger Ale
1 Lemon Wedge
1 Apple Slice
Build all ingredients over ice in a highball glass. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge and apple slice.
Sonrisa Espresso Martini
1.5 oz Sonrisa Oro Especial
1 oz Espresso Liqueur
1 oz Cold Brew
In a shaking glass, add Sonrisa Oro Especial, espresso liqueur, and cold brew. Cover with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Optional: garnish with coffee beans.
Laelia Old Fashioned
3 oz Laelia Reposado Tequila
¼ oz Agave Nectar
1 Dash Angostura Bitters
In a mixing glass, lightly muddle the agave nectar, bitters, and orange peel. Add the tequila, then fill with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a glass.
1 Tbsp matcha green tea powder
½ cup hot water
1 Tbsp sugar
Gold leaf for garnish
Single serving
Whisk matcha powder with water using bamboo whisk until smooth. Mix Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc with sugar. Combine tea and wine mixture. Garnish with gold leaf.
New Earth
2 parts Reyka Vodka
3/4 part Small Hand Foods Pineapple Gum Syrup
1 part Lime Juice
5 Cilantro Sprigs
Shake and strain into a Montelobos Mezcal-rinsed coupe. Garnish with an orange peel and cilantro sprig.
60ml Brugal 1888
20ml Fresh Lime Juice
10ml 1:1 Sugar Syrup
Add Brugal 1888, fresh lime juice and sugar syrup to cocktail shaker. Add ice & shake. Pour into a coupe glass and decorate with a lime twist