Gift Edit
The full tequila spirit guide
Turn classic drinks into fall + winter cocktails
THIS CONTENT IS POWERED BY: VINEPAIR
WORDS: JONAH FLICKER
ILLUSTRATION: DANIELLE GRINBERG
Can you feel that crisp chill in the air? With sweater weather season upon us, activities like apple picking and cozy scenes with crackling fireplaces have us all thinking about switching up our cocktail game to incorporate seasonal ingredients. Apples, of course, are an important one, along with cinnamon, maple syrup, pomegranate, cranberry and cider. It’s surprisingly easy to put a fall/winter spin on classic drinks, so let us take you through a few seasonally-inspired cocktails that will make you feel right at (cozy) home.
Swap simple syrup for maple syrup
The traditional whiskey old fashioned is arguably already made for sweater weather, given that it’s a perfect balance of sweet, vanilla and oaky flavors. Make it even more autumnal with maple syrup instead of simple syrup, apple cider for tartness, and a few dashes of chocolate bitters to highlight the richness of the drink.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
0.25 oz. Maple Syrup
0.25 oz. Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
Chocolate Bitters
Cinnamon Stick Garnish
Instructions
1. Add maple syrup and apple cider to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
2. Add 3 dashes of chocolate bitters.
3. Stir until combined.
4. Add bourbon and ice, stir for 30 seconds and strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Serves 1
Incorporate seasonal ingredients into classic cocktails
The martini is a classic for a reason – it’s simple, bright and elegant in both composition and presentation. This take on the drink incorporates pomegranate and apple flavors, providing a burst of sour fruit to balance out the sweet.
Ingredients
1 oz. Ketel One Vodka
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
0.75 oz. Blanc Vermouth
0.75 oz. Dry Vermouth
Dried Apple Garnish
Pomegranate Seed Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine ingredients in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until cold.
3. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with dried apple and pomegranate seeds.
Serves 1
Garnish with seasonal fruits
The French 75 is another tried and true drink, made from a base of gin and topped off with Champagne and lemon juice. For this cooler weather version of the cocktail, substitute Champagne for a dry sparkling hard cider, and add a splash of apple juice to offset the lemon. Throw a few cranberries on top for a festive touch.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin
1.5 oz. Sparkling Cider
0.75 oz. Apple Juice
0.5 oz. Lemon Juice
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
Cranberry Garnish
Instructions
1. Add gin, sparkling cider, apple juice, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass.
3. Top with cranberries to garnish.
Serves 1
Stock up on dark spirits that pack a fall punch
Dark spirits like whiskey and rum often have warm and spicy tasting notes that make them perfect for sipping when the temperatures drop. This rum punch is tropical, sweet and fruity – but it has a nice undercurrent of vanilla and oak from the dark rum component. To add the fall feels, use apple juice or cider instead of pineapple, and swap the lime and orange juices for maple syrup and a splash of pear liqueur.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Zacapa No. 23 Rum
2 oz. Apple Juice or Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
0.5 oz. Pear Liqueur
0.5 oz. Maple Syrup
0.25 oz. Grenadine
Apple Slice Garnish
Cherry Garnish
Cinnamon Stick Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a hurricane glass over ice.
3. Garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon stick and a cherry.
Serves 1
Break out the tequila to fit right in with fall flavors
Tequila is a versatile spirit and therefore a champion of all seasons – whether you're bringing out tequila's sweet and fruity notes for your summer cocktails or the earthy, peppery notes for the colder months, there's a lot you can do with this spirit. Ranch water is such a popular tequila drink these days, and this minimal highball drink can be easily transformed for any season with just a few simple ingredients. This autumnal variation adds a little apple to the mix, and a dried fruit and cinnamon stick garnish will bring some spice and sweet to the flavor profile.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
0.5 oz. Lime Juice
0.5 oz. Apple Juice
4 oz. Sparkling Water
Cinnamon Stick Garnish
Dried Apple Wedge or Fresh Apple Wedge Garnish
Instructions
1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add tequila, lime juice and apple juice, and stir to combine.
3. Top off with sparkling water and garnish with a cinnamon stick and dried apple wedge.
Serves 1
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