Best Fall Cocktails for Parties
Enjoy these easy Fall cocktails for Thanksgiving and seasonal gatherings. There’s something for everyone, including apple martinis, spiced hot cider, large batch punch, and even a few family-friendly options.
These drink recipes are a great addition to dinner parties, or simply pair them with appetizers for happy hour.
Delicious Fall Cocktail Ideas
Every good party needs an easy signature drink, and especially for fall parties. There are so many occasions for hosting and gathering during those cool months.
Whether you’re planning a September apple picking fall picnic, a family-friendly pumpkin carving party, or a Halloween dinner party in October, or a Friendsgiving Thanksgiving celebration in November, you’ll need autumn mixed drinks that taste like the season.
I’ve listed lots of options to try. You’re sure to find one that’s suitable for your signature drink whether it’s a fall inspired martini or a cocktail pitcher for a crowd.
What ingredients make a fall themed cocktail?
There are a few things that make a cocktail perfect for fall.
- It may contain themed alcohol like sour apple pucker, spiced rum, or cinnamon schnapps.
- Autumn cocktails are often made with apple cider or apple juice. They can also be made with an orange tinted mixer to match the fall color scheme.
- Hot cocktails are great for fall. They can warm up from the inside. Therefore hot coffee, and warm mulled cider or wine make fantastic ingredients.
- We tend to navigate towards bourbon this time of year. It pairs so well with fruit or spice flavors.
- And of course vodka or gin are always good choice because they blend so well with so many base mixers.
If any of these resonate with you, I’m sure you’ll find something you like, below.
Bar Accessories You May Need
Here are some bar and cocktail supplies that will come in handy for mixing up your fall drinks.
- Cocktail Shaker & bar kit
- Pitcher
- Tray
- Martini Glasses
- Highball glasses
- Mule cups
- Infused Ice Cubes ready to freeze
Make These Drinks
Choose one of these drink recipes that sounds good to you and mix it up for adult parties or family gatherings.
They’re perfect for September all the way through December!
Best Fall Cocktails
Here are some of the best recipes for fall cocktails, including punch for a crowd, single serving martinis, wine drinks, hot toddies, and more. There's something for everyone!
Serve a batch of sangria that's flavored with apple cider, apple whiskey and cinnamon schnapps. These flavors scream Autumn!
Make a large batch of cider punch that's got ginger beer and bourbon.
Apple juice, cinnamon schnapps and spiced rum combine to make this crowd pleasing punch.
Spiced rum gives this red sangria a flavor boost that's excellent for fall gatherings.
This recipe makes a large batch of powdered mix that you can serve by the cup or make a big pot to keep warm on the stove.
You won't believe how decadent and delicious this caramel apple martini is! It's got vodka, apple liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, and cider.
More apple flavors coming at ya with a cider drink that's flavored with vanilla vodka, cinnamon and lime juice.
Bourbon is a quintessential cocktail base for fall and when it's mixed with Aperol, it's a crowd favorite!
This creamy cocktail has just 3 ingredients and the combination really tastes like berries and nuts!
Keep this mulled wine warm in the crock pot and let guests help themselves. It's an amazing combination of fruit juices, brandy and red wine.
Warm up from the inside out, with hot cider and spicy Fireball.
Cozy up by the fire with this hot coffee drink that's got sweetened to perfection with Kahlua and cream.
Turn your coffee drink into a Fall coffee cocktail with pumpkin liqueur and pumpkin cream!
Nothing is quite as indulgent as this rich homemade hot chocolate for a crowd. It tastes like chocolate pudding!
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Think I probably screwed up….I bought Apple cider, got home, and noticed it is unfiltered Apple cider. Is that ok? My husband thinks not, and says we will probably be drinking applesauce. Thanks for any help!
Hi Kali, I’m not sure but I think “filtered” apple cider is basically apple juice. I think the unfiltered will be fine.
I’ve made and sampled both of these and they are both equally great! Great signature cocktail to jump of Thanksgiving Dinner! Thanks!!!!
Jordie, thanks for sharing your review. Glad you liked them as much as I! 🙂
These look really nice (and great photography, too)!
Are you planning any Halloween themed ideas? If so it’d be great, as we could give it a mention on the blog on our site – our customers are sure to be interested in a Halloween cocktail!
If making for a crowd, do the proportions stay the same? I know with some recipes, when making a big batch, it doesnt work the same way.
Thanks!
Hi Latisha,
Unfortunately I haven’t made these in large batches, just 1 or 2 at a time in a cocktail shaker. If I were you I would just start with the same proportions of the main ingredients {liqueur & mixer} and then add in the other flavors in intervals, tasting as you go.
I hope that helps.
The drinks look great….great blog!
I don't even drink and those look soooo good!!
I am working on getting Thanksgiving dinner prepped and baking done today…one of these will definitely make the job fun and festive!!! Thanks for sharing!