10 Best Cocktail Recipes to Get You Hype for the Fall Season

Like it or not, it’s starting to smell like the autumnal equinox. The official start to fall is September 22. We’re not there yet, but we have the perfect pregame beverages for you to enjoy while we wait. Today, you’re getting the best cocktail recipes to enjoy as the sky gets a little darker, the air gets a little crisper, and beach bums get a little sadder. Honestly, even if you’re a summer flower, you’ll probably enjoy at least six of these—just don’t do it all at once, if you can manage.

#10 Pumpkintini

Now that it’s past noon and you’ve downed your pumpkin spiced latte, grab a glass. Set a plate of caramel syrup and a plate of graham cracker crumbs. Rim the glass with syrup and cracker crumbs. Pour some Fireball over ice, some RumChata, some half-and-half. Then shake and pour into the glass. Top with whipped cream. Do it all again tomorrow. View Recipe

Pro Tip: Only cartoon characters use martini glasses anymore. Classic martini glasses spill easily, and they barely fit anything in them.Find out what real bartenders have been using…

#9 Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Do you spend most of the day wishing you could curl up in a blanket with a good book, but always find yourself getting tipsy instead? This one’s for you. Hot milk, chocolate powder, stir. Pour that into some red wine. Add whipped cream. You now have a soft blanket around you, wherever you go. Add mini marshmallows and chocolate syrup for the full effect. View Recipe

#8 Angry Balls

This one doesn’t taste like what it sounds like…unless you hate Fireball. In that case, maybe the whipped cream on top will help. The Angry Balls cocktail is a shot of Fireball cinnamon whiskey inside a pint of hard cider. With this recipe, you have the option of heating the cider before adding to the Fireball. It’s that apple-cinnamon vibe to match your cardigan. View Recipe

#7 Hot Toddy

Don’t mess with this classic. When days get shorter, keep it simple with some bourbon, a squeeze of lemon, some honey and hot water. You might want to save this for when it’s cold out. Or maybe you’re chilly right now. Oh, and we were just kidding earlier. You can totally mix it up. Try it with brandy, vodka or any liquor of your choosing. Whatever keeps you warm. View Recipe

Pro Tip: Knowing the difference between bourbon and another kind of whisky can make or break your Hot Toddy. Don’t embarrass yourself – here’s how you tell them apart!

#6 Chinese Green Tea Lychee Cocktail

If your goal is to stay classy while feeling tipsy, you can’t go wrong with the Hot Toddy’s exotic cousin. All you need to start a Lychee Cocktail is some boiled water and a green tea bag. After that, you add simple syrup, lychee liqueur, lychee syrup, and of course, a lychee. You can usually buy lychees by the can or carton at your favorite grocery store. Hope you lychee! View Recipe

Pro Tip: Simple syrup can cost upwards of $7 a gallon—and that’s the cheap stuff. Some flavored bottles go for $20 or even $50. But you can make the same thing with your own ingredients at home. It’s much cheaper, and it will taste 10X better. Learn how to make your own simple syrup for a fraction of the price.

#5 Apple Pie Sangria

If you’re really missing summer, you can pretend it’s still here. Apple Pie Sangria is the best of both worlds in a jar. It’s the coolness of those sangria days with the warmth of apple cinnamon. Just throw in sliced apples, caramel vodka, apple cider, cinnamon sticks, white wine and soda water. Let it sit a few minutes, stir, then pour out all your summer sadness. View Recipe

#4 Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Shake

Ever try to stick a slice of pumpkin pie in a blender and drink it? No? Good! Because it probably would not taste as good as this cocktail. This is vanilla ice cream, bourbon and pumpkin spice liqueur in a blender. If you rim your glass with graham cracker crumbs and top it with whipped cream, you might get something better than pumpkin pie juice. View Recipe

#3 Fireball Butterscotch

Uh-oh... Fireball’s back. And he brought coffee with him. If you want to really make your coffee enjoyable, throw in some Fireball and Butterscotch Schnapps, then top that with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Listen, this is NOT keto—add that French Vanilla creamer and be happy, for crying out loud. For maximum happiness, drink this cocktail with a cinnamon stick. View Recipe

#2 Nutty Irish Coffee

For those who feel their Irish Coffee could always be nuttier, here’s everything you love about Irish Coffee, plus nuts. The Nutty Irish Coffee is a fun blend of Jameson whiskey, Irish cream and hazelnut liqueur. It’s recommended you pour some hot water in the glass beforehand to prep. You’ll be Irish in no time. Maybe you’ll even learn to stepdance.View Recipe

#1 Apple Pie Float

Here’s a cocktail that should be “easy as pie.” Just apple cider, vanilla vodka and…yes, Fireball whiskey over ice. Shake that up. Top it with vanilla ice cream (float, duh). And be sure to shove a cinnamon stick in there, because you’re in cocktail country. Maybe make two. Thanksgiving is almost here, and you’re not drunk enough to argue with relatives yet! View Recipe

This Trick Will Blow Your Friends’ Minds

There are thousands of drink recipes out there. Few people know that they all have this in common. Knowing this simple rule will enable you to make hundreds of cocktails, better even than some professional bartenders. No, you don’t have to be a bartender to make these cocktails and hundreds like them. Click here to check out Cocktails 101.