Come fall, the fashion changes, the leaves start to turn colors and the flavors of the season also change. I instantly think of more warm notes like vanilla, caramel, honey and apple. Fall flavors and smells come to mind and it’s one of my favorite things about the autumn season. And when it comes to a cocktail, there’s just something so satisfying about cozying up with a hot toddy, or spiked apple cider on the couch with a cozy blanket. A roaring fireplace is a plus here too. For fall, it’s all about the bourbon cocktails that emote that cozy fall feeling so well.
9 Fall Bourbon Cocktails
Bourbon already has incredible vanilla and caramel notes to it. So bringing it out for fall cocktail recipes is a no brainer. It helps to amplify all the wonderful fall flavors. So many of these cocktails below are so easy to make. Just adding your favorite bourbon with a little apple cider, or making a classic old-fashioned, whatever floats your boat, these cocktails are easy and delicious.
Simple Bourbon Cocktails For Fall
Maple Bourbon Apple Cider
The perfect cocktail if you’re a fan of apple cider. I love the addition of maple syrup to sweeten it up. You just need a little since apple cider is already super sweet. But I love the flavor it brings to the cocktail.
Boulevardier
This cocktail is super simple and it’s so delicious. If you like a Negroni, this is basically a bourbon version. It’s got Campari, sweet vermouth and bourbon. Can’t go wrong, right?
Apple Cider Julep
A mint julep is super simple. Bourbon, mint and a little sugar and water. Swapping the sweet minty water with just a splash of apple cider is a fun take on this. Garnish with slices of apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Kentucky 75
A Kentucky 75 is a classic and simple bourbon cocktail that’s served with prosecco. It’s the perfect bubbly cocktail for holiday parties too.
Bourbon Sour
A whiskey sour is a favorite cocktail. When it’s done right of course with an egg white, fresh lemon juice, and served up with a delicious maraschino cherry (bourbon-soaked ones are simply the best). Whiskey, bourbon, you can use either, there are no rules here sometimes!
Lion’s Tail Cocktail
A classic bourbon cocktail from the 30s. This cocktail is perfect for fall served in a beautiful coupe cocktail glass. This cocktail is simple but has a unique ingredient, AllSpice dram. This is just an allspice liquor and adds that very unique spice to this drink which is great for fall!
Creative Bourbon Cocktails For Fall
S’mores Old Fashioned
This cocktail is so fun and festive for fall and the holidays. And it goes great with a s’more on the side. Vanilla simple syrup, chocolate bitters and the classic angostura bitters takes this to a whole new level for fall and holidays.
Mandarin Orange Old Fashioned
Something about classic cocktails served with a big ice cube in an oversized rocks glass just feels so very vibey to me. And this twist with a little mandarin orange is a fun update to this classic. And yes, just a can of mandarin oranges is all you need so you can always have it in your pantry.
Fig Old Fashioned
Another take on a classic bourbon cocktail, a fig old-fashioned. For the holidays, we love a good fig moment and this cocktail brings out the beautiful fruit in cocktail form.