There’s nothing quite like watching the leaves change colour and embracing all things ‘cosy’. The arrival of a new season not only brings about change of outfit but also influences the food and drink we desire. We’ve rounded up some of the best autumn cocktail recipes for you to enjoy on cooler days and darker evenings.
We’ve embraced the pumpkin spice latte from our American friends as the most well-known of all the autumnal drinks, but when you’re craving something a little stronger after 5pm, we’ve got some delicious recipes for you to try in this blog!
1. Apple Cider Spritz
Starting off strong with the Apple Cider Spritz. Easy breezy and ready for autumn, this apple cider spritz offers a twist on a recent summer classic, the Aperol Spritz. Waltzing right into the next season with spiced cider and a kiss of pumpkin spice, Aperol’s orange-herbal aspects bring out the best in the cider flavours.
This totally sippable cocktail is great for a crowd too. To make a big batch, make a pitcher of the cider, Aperol, and pumpkin spice mix, then just add to glasses with ice, a garnish and prosecco for a cocktail as crisp and bright as the best autumn day.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Instructions
84ml apple cider
28ml Aperol
Large pinch of pumpkin spice or ground cinnamon
Ice
Apple slices and a cinnamon stick, for garnish
84ml Prosecco
In a large wine glass, combine apple cider, Aperol, and pumpkin spice. Stir to distribute spice.
Fill glass with ice and add garnish with apple and cinnamon.
Top off with Prosecco.
Enjoy!
2. Sloe Gin Fizz
Treat yourself to a sloe gin fizz, made with sloe gin and lemon juice topped with sparkling water. One of the most popular classics, serving up autumnal flavours and a celebratory amount of bubbles, what's not to love?!
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Instructions
50ml Sloe Gin
25ml Lemon Juice
2 tsp Sugar Syrup
Ice
Sparkling Water
Lemon or Orange Slice
Fresh or Frozen Blackberry
- Pour the sloe gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker and fill up with ice cubes.
Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
Strain into a tall glass filled with more ice.
Garnish with a lemon slice and blackberry.
3. Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is well-loved cocktail for autumn with a scrumptious mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. Containing a rich, bold taste it’s beloved by both cocktail and coffee drinkers. This cocktail is most commonly served cold however, can also be served hot with a splash of hot milk for those colder months.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Instructions
50ml Vodka
20ml Coffee Liqueur
30ml Espresso, freshly brewed.
Coffee Beans as a garnish
Pinch of Salt
Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and salt to a shaker.
Shake briskly and strain into a martini cocktail glass.
Garnish with coffee beans.
4. Mulled Wine
The ultimate winter drink, warm, sweet, fruity and full of spice. That’s mulled wine in a nutshell, and what you’re aiming to achieve with the combination of ingredients. For the quintessential mulled wine, there are certain spices that are absolutely essential, these are cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves. To balance out those spices, you’ll need to add in some fruity flavours for sweetness, we recommend a few slices of clementine and lemon while some chunks of apple will complement the clove and cinnamon nicely.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
Instructions
750ml Bottle Red Wine.
1 Large Cinnamon Stick
2 Star Anise
4 Cloves
2 Strips Lemon Zest
4 tbsp Caster Sugar
Put the red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins.
Remove from the heat and cool, leaving to infuse for about 30 mins.
To serve, heat without boiling, pour into mugs or heatproof glasses.
Some Extra Tips for Perfecting your Cocktail Making:
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Get Kitted Out
When it comes to making cocktails you don't need to go crazy and spend a fortune on high-end gear but picking up a few essentials will make sure your creations meet the same high standards every time. For example, a long-stemmed bar spoon will make sure your stirred cocktails are always up to scratch.
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Quality Cocktail Ingredients
It goes without saying that good quality ingredients make delicious cocktails. Pick good quality mixers and the freshest fruit and herbs you can find. No cocktail ever made history by having wilted herbs or concentrated fruit juice.
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Again, you don't need to spend a fortune on glassware just get the staples and tailor which glassware to which type of cocktail you enjoy for example, a longer drink is better in a highball.
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Garnishes
It's all in the details, and they really matter! A simple orange wedge or a slice of lemon are great for adding a pop of colour and also enhance the flavour.
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Practice makes Perfect!
Lastly don't be disheartened when your first few don't look a million dollars. Keep practicing and know that each drink you make goes towards improving your mixing skills! Practice really does make perfect.
Tell us, what is your favourite autumn cocktail? Or do you prefer just a Pumpkin Spiced Latte to get you in the autumnal mood.
If you try and make any of the above, we would love to see so please make sure to tag us on Instagram @pure_tabletop and use the hashtag #PTTCocktail, and most of all enjoy!
Happy Cocktail Making!
