Are you planning a fall wedding? With balmy temperatures and color-changing leaves, you couldn’t ask for a more picturesque time of year. Guests will be able to lounge outside without the annoyance of sweltering heat and mosquitoes. You can even say “I do” beneath a perfect sunset.
To combat the crispness in the air, serve up a creative cocktail menu that will keep guests toasty warm.
1. The Plum-and-Thyme Prosecco
Image: My Diary Of Us Blog
Plums | Sprigs of Thyme | Thyme Simple Syrup | Lemon Juice | Prosecco
To start this recipe, peel and chop two plums. In a shaker, muddle the fruit with six sprigs of thyme, four tablespoons of thyme simple syrup and the juice of a lemon. Shake with crushed ice. Then, distribute between two glasses and top it off with a bottle of your favorite bubbly. For that picture-perfect look, garnish with plum slices and thyme sprigs.
2. The Sangria Mexican Mule
Image: Tidy Mom Blog
Tequila | Red Wine | Lime Juice | Ginger Beer | Blackberries | Lime Wedges
To make this recipe, fill a double rocks glass halfway up with ice. Then, add two ounces of tequila, one ounce of red wine and a half-ounce of fresh lime juice. Stir gently to combine. Top the mixture with four ounces of chilled ginger beer and stir again. Garnish the drink with a skewer of fresh blackberries and lime slices.
3. The Pumpkin Harvest
Image: The Taste SF
Bourbon | Simple Syrup | Apple Cider | Amaretto | Heavy Cream | Pumpkin Puree | Angostura Bitters | Pumpkin Pie Spice or Grated Nutmeg
To start, fill the shaker with ice, then add 1.75 ounces of bourbon. Next, add .75 ounces of both simple syrup and apple cider, plus a half-ounce of amaretto and heavy cream. You’ll also need three tablespoons of pumpkin puree and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Shake vigorously until the mixture becomes frothy, then strain into a glass. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice or grated nutmeg.
4. The Cinnamon Tequila Sour
Image: The Almond Eater
Tequila | Simple Syrup | Lemon Juice | Egg White | Cinnamon
This frothy beverage is super easy to make. Start by adding one ounce of tequila, two tablespoons of simple syrup, the juice of half a lemon and one egg white to a shaker. Don’t forget to sprinkle in a quarter-teaspoon of cinnamon. Shake until the mixture becomes foamy, about 10 to 20 seconds. Then, transfer to your desired stemware.
5. The Lady Apple
Image: Liquid Culture
Sho Chiku Bai Nigor Silky Mild Sake | Hana Fuji Apple Sake | Simple Syrup | Lime Juice | Apple Slice | Lime Peel
To make this sweet cocktail, fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add one ounce of Sho Chiku Bai Nigor Silky Mild Sake and an ounce of Hana Fuji apple sake. Include a half-ounce of simple syrup and lime juice. Shake the mixture well, then transfer to a glass. Garnish with an apple slice and spiraled lime peel.
6. The Pumpkin Apple Shandy
Image: Jennifer Meyering
Pumpkin Beer | Apple Cider | Bourbon | Apple Slice
This fall cocktail is easy to make, though guests will think you’re a shandy genius. It’s got all the flavors of fall wrapped into one tasty package. Add 12 ounces of pumpkin beer, 10 ounces of apple cider and two ounces of bourbon into a pitcher. Then, stir thoroughly. Pour into a glass and garnish with apple slices.
7. The Orange Thyme Old-Fashioned
Image: Country Living
Orange Zest | Sprigs of Thyme | Sugar | Water | Bourbon | Angostura Bitters
To make this recipe, combine orange zest, three sprigs of thyme and a cup of both sugar and water in a saucepan. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat. Once the mixture is cool, strain it. Next, place two ounces of bourbon, one tablespoon of your new orange-thyme simple syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters into a shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Then, strain into an old-fashioned glass.
8. The Caramel Apple Martini
Image: Cooking On The Front Burner
Caramel or Cinnamon Sugar | Apple Cider | Caramel Vodka | Butterscotch Schnapps | Apple Slice
Before you mix your cocktail, rim your glass with caramel or cinnamon sugar. Next, combine two ounces of both apple cider and caramel vodka into a shaker. Add one ounce of butterscotch schnapps. Fill with ice and shake. Then, pour the mixture into your prepared martini glass. Garnish with a fresh slice of apple.
9. The Hot Mulled Apple Cider Sangria
Image: The Crumby Kitchen
Red Wine | Apple Cider | Honey | Spiced Rum | Sliced Apple | Clementines | Cinnamon Sticks | Whole Cloves | Star Anise | Vanilla Bean | Nutmeg | Ginger
This recipe calls for a bottle of red wine, apple cider, a quarter-cup of honey and a half-cup of spiced rum. You’ll also need a sliced apple and two halved clementines, plus the zest. Combine the ingredients in a large pot on low heat. In another pan, heat cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, vanilla bean, nutmeg, and ginger. Add the spices to the liquid mixture, then simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve while hot and garnish with apple slices.
10. The Grasshopper Cocktail
Image: Vine Pair
Crème de Menthe | White Crème de Cacao | Heavy Cream
This minty, chocolatey treat will remind you of your favorite cookie — it’s also the perfect autumn delight. Fill your shaker with ice, then add one ounce of crème de menthe, one ounce of white crème de cacao and two ounces of heavy cream. Shake until combined, about 10 seconds. Strain into your preferred glass — chilled — and serve immediately.
11. The Rhubarb and Honey Pisco Sour
Image: La Petit Eats
Rhubarb | Honey | Pisco | Lime Juice | Egg White
To start, combine two stalks of rhubarb, a quarter-cup of honey and a quarter-cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and heat for five minutes. Once the mixture is cool, strain it. Next, add three ounces of pisco, one ounce of your fresh rhubarb honey simple syrup, one ounce of lime juice and one egg white to a shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Pour the strained liquid into a glass and top with a strip of rhubarb.
12. The Pumpkin Pie Martini
Image: Sand & Sisal
Graham Crackers | Maple Syrup | Pumpkin Spice Vodka | Spiced Dark Rum | Vanilla Extract | Cinnamon Stick | Nutmeg
To make this martini, crush up graham crackers in a plastic bag. Rim a glass with maple syrup, then dip it in the cracker mix. Next, add two ounces of pumpkin spice vodka, one ounce of spiced dark rum and one ounce of maple syrup to a shaker. Toss in a half-ounce of half-and-half and a quarter-teaspoon of vanilla extract. Shake well, then strain the mixture into your prepared glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and nutmeg.
Everyone likes the standard wine and beer. However, you can keep your guests nice and warm at your fall wedding with some creative cocktails. From the Lady Apple to the Pumpkin Pie Martini, you’re sure to find a recipe everyone will love.
About Our Guest Writer
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more!
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