Our Favorite Festive Fall Cocktails

When the leaves start to turn and the temperatures drop a little, we end up spending a lot of nights in our backyard by the fire pit, which makes a fun fall cocktail sound like just the thing. This time of year, I tend to go for drinks that are a little richer and bolder than I would normally drink-something about the fresh air and the smoke from the fire makes me want something that has a little more depth to it. We’ve rounded up our favorite recipes today and I can’t wait to work my way through the list-first up for me will be the Ginger Apple Moscow Mules!

Ginger Apple Moscow Mule from Half-Baked Harvest

I love Moscow Mules generally, but this seasonal switch with apple cider and fresh ginger is so yummy. The recipe includes apple butter, which I didn’t have and it was still delicious. The sweet apple cider mixes so well with the punch from the fresh ginger and ginger beer and gave me all the fall feels. I definitely recommend following her recipe for the bigger batch-everyone’s going to want to try it!

Frankenpunch from Delish

For a bigger group or party, a punch bowl is always festive! This cocktail made with ginger ale, lime aid or lime popsicles, and pineapple juice, is great with tequila for adults or keep it alcohol free for the kids. Bonus points for adding in ice cubes made with a rubber glove in the shape of hand. My kids would love to help make a kids version of this and they suggested freezing the little rubber spiders in ice cubes as another fun touch.

Apple Cider Margaritas from Delish

For another tequila option, these margaritas made with apple cider, tequila and lemon juice, plus cinnamon and sugar for the rim look like just the right amount of sweet. I had a hard time picturing tequila and apple cider working together, but this recipe really sold me on them as a combination, with lemon to marry the flavors together instead of lime.

The Hermione Granger Cocktail from Half-Baked Harvest

How pretty is this? It’s a little more involved to make, with raspberries, jam, rosemary, lemon and tiny splash of apple cider vinegar, but the mix of sweet and sour would make it’s namesake proud and gives it an incredible depth of flavor. Seriously thought, what kind of cocktail do you think Hermione would drink? I can’t see her liking anything too sweet and I think that the complexity would appeal to her-she was always so good at potions and getting all of the measurements exact!

Apple Bourbon Hot Toddy from Wholefully

Colder weather just calls for a warm drink and this warm apple cider with lemon juice, honey and bourbon would be so cozy under a blanket by the fire pit. A recipe that combine my love of warm drinks with Chad’s love of bourbon is a winner for me and perfect for an outdoor date night.

Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Smash from How Sweet Eats

If you’re craving all things pumpkin this season, this is is basically pumpkin pie in a liquid form! Perfect for dessert. It’s definitely on the sweet side, but perfect for an occasion that calls for something that feels special and indulgent.

I can’t wait to sit outside by the fire pit tonight, now that the rain is over and to curl up under a blanket, listen to a little music and relax with fall cocktail-I hope you’re getting a little down time this weekend to! -Eloise