15 Best Fall Bourbon Cocktails

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy warm, comforting bourbon cocktails. As the leaves change and the weather cools, there’s something incredibly satisfying about sipping a well-crafted drink that embodies the flavors of the season. Bourbon, with its rich, oaky notes, pairs beautifully with autumn ingredients like apple cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

You’ll find that bourbon cocktails such as the Maple Old Fashioned and the Bourbon Apple Cider Sour bring a new twist to classic recipes. These drinks use seasonal ingredients to create unique and delightful flavors that are perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings. Expect a blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky elements that complement the warm, inviting nature of bourbon.

This blog post will provide you with a variety of fall bourbon cocktail recipes. Each recipe is designed to be easily approachable, ensuring that you can make these drinks at home with minimal effort.

Hot Bourbon Cider

Warm up your fall evenings with a delightful Hot Bourbon Cider. This comforting cocktail combines the rich flavors of bourbon with the sweet notes of apple cider. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a relaxing night at home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2-3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 apple, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Combine cider, cloves, and cinnamon: In a saucepan, add apple cider, whole cloves, and the cinnamon stick. Heat gently for about 5-10 minutes. Ensure it doesn’t boil.
2. Mix in honey and lemon: Stir in the honey until it dissolves. Add the lemon juice and mix well.
3. Add bourbon: Remove the saucepan from heat. Add bourbon and stir to combine.
4. Serve: Strain the mixture into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish with apple slices.

View Recipe

Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

The Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned blends classic cocktail elements with autumn flavors. This drink is perfect for fall evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz real maple syrup
• 2 dashes spiced bitters
• Orange peel twist
• Ice

Instructions

1. Add bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Stir for about 30 seconds until well chilled.
4. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
5. Garnish with an orange peel twist.

The maple syrup adds a rich sweetness to the drink. Spiced bitters bring out warm, earthy notes. The result is a smooth, warming cocktail. The orange peel twist adds a fragrant finish.

Feel free to experiment by adding a splash of apple cider. This will enhance the fall flavors even more. 

View Recipe

Bourbon Apple Cider Smash

The Bourbon Apple Cider Smash is an inviting autumn cocktail. It’s packed with the flavors of apple and bourbon. This drink is perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz honey
• A few grates of fresh nutmeg
• A pinch of cardamom
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the apple and honey until the apple is smashed.
2. Add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, nutmeg, and cardamom.
3. Fill the shaker with ice.
4. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
5. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
6. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
7. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.

Mixing these ingredients creates a warming and deliciously spiced drink. 

View Recipe

Pumpkin Bourbon Cocktail

A Pumpkin Bourbon Cocktail is a fantastic choice for fall. It combines the rich flavors of pumpkin with the smoothness of bourbon. This drink is perfect for cozy evening gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1.75 ounces bourbon
• 0.75 ounce simple syrup
• 0.75 ounce apple cider
• 0.50 ounce amaretto
• 0.50 ounce heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Pumpkin spice or freshly grated nutmeg (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Add bourbon, simple syrup, apple cider, amaretto, heavy cream, pumpkin puree, and bitters into a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
• Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with pumpkin spice or freshly grated nutmeg.

This Pumpkin Bourbon Cocktail provides a balanced mix of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. The bourbon adds warmth while the pumpkin and spices bring autumn vibes. 

View Recipe

Bourbon Spiced Pear Cocktail

A Bourbon Spiced Pear Cocktail is a delightful fall drink. It combines the smoothness of bourbon with the crisp flavor of pear and warming spices.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz pear juice
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz spiced simple syrup
• Soda water
• Pear slice and rosemary sprig for garnish

Spiced Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced

Instructions

Make the Spiced Simple Syrup:

• Combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, and sliced ginger in a saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• Let it steep for 20 minutes.
• Strain and cool.

Prepare the Cocktail:

• Combine bourbon, pear juice, lemon juice, and spiced simple syrup in a shaker.
• Fill with ice and shake well.
• Strain into a glass filled with ice.

Finish the Drink:

• Top with soda water.
• Garnish with a pear slice and a rosemary sprig.

View Recipe

Cranberry Bourbon Sour

The Cranberry Bourbon Sour is a fantastic fall cocktail. It blends the rich warmth of bourbon with the tartness of cranberries.

To make this cocktail, follow these simple steps:

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Fresh cranberries and a lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup.
• Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until well chilled.
• Strain the mixture into an ice-filled lowball glass.
• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a twist of lemon.

View Recipe

Bourbon Maple Smash

The Bourbon Maple Smash is a perfect fall cocktail. Its flavors include bourbon, maple syrup, and citrus.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz maple syrup
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 orange wheel
• 2 dashes bitters
• Ice

Instructions

1. Add lemon juice, maple syrup, and an orange wheel to a rocks glass.
2. Muddle gently to release flavors.
3. Pour in the bourbon and bitters.
4. Add ice to the glass and stir well.
5. Garnish with a fresh orange peel or mint sprig if desired.

View Recipe

Brown Sugar Bourbon Manhattan

Creating a Brown Sugar Bourbon Manhattan is simple and rewarding. This cocktail combines the warmth of bourbon with the sweetness of brown sugar. You get a balanced and rich drink perfect for fall evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• Ice
• Orange twist (for garnish)
• Maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice.
2. Combine bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, and brown sugar in a separate mixing glass.
3. Stir the mixture with ice until the brown sugar dissolves and the drink is well chilled.
4. Discard the ice from the martini glass.
5. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
6. Garnish with an orange twist. Add a maraschino cherry if desired.

Tips:

• Use good quality bourbon for the best results.
• Don’t rush dissolving the brown sugar. Stir thoroughly.
• Chill your mixing glass before use to keep the drink cold longer.

View Recipe

Bourbon Ginger Pear Cocktail

For a delightful fall treat, try this Bourbon Ginger Pear Cocktail. The combination of bourbon, ginger, and pear creates a refreshing yet warming drink perfect for autumn evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz simple syrup (made with honey and ginger)
• 1 oz pear juice
• Ice cubes
• Pear slices, for garnish
• Ginger slices, for garnish

Simple Syrup:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced

Instructions:

Prepare the simple syrup:

• Combine honey, water, and ginger in a saucepan.
• Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Stir until the honey dissolves.
• Remove from heat.
• Allow it to steep for 20 minutes.
• Strain and refrigerate.

Make the cocktail:

• Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
• Add 2 oz bourbon.
• Add 1 oz simple syrup.
• Add 1 oz pear juice.
• Shake well until the mixture is chilled.

Serve:

• Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
• Garnish with pear and ginger slices.

View Recipe

Bourbon Mulled Wine

Bourbon Mulled Wine combines the rich flavors of red wine and bourbon. It’s perfect for a cozy fall evening. The mix of spices and citrus adds warmth and depth to the drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine (750ml)
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 8 cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients: Pour the red wine into a large saucepan. Add bourbon, honey, orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and nutmeg.
2. Heat gently: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly bring the mixture to a low simmer. Do not let it boil.
3. Simmer and blend flavors: Reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer gently for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the honey or syrup dissolves completely.
4. Serve warm: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Strain the mulled wine to remove spices and citrus slices. Pour into mugs and garnish with an extra cinnamon stick if desired.

View Recipe

Bourbon and Honey

Bourbon and honey create a rich, warm blend perfect for fall. Their combined sweetness and spice make an excellent base for cocktails. Here are some drinks that highlight these ingredients.

Honey Bourbon Cocktail with Rosemary

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz rosemary honey syrup
• A dash of bitters
• Orange peel for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Add ice cubes to a rocks glass.
2. Combine bourbon, rosemary honey syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice.
3. Stir to combine.
4. Pour into the glass and garnish with orange peel.

View Recipe

Honey Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 apple slices
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 oz bourbon

Instructions:

1. Place cider, apple slices, honey, and cinnamon in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Strain and add bourbon.
4. Pour into glasses and garnish with apple slices.

Honey Maple Bourbon

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 dash bitters

Instructions:

1. Mix bourbon, honey, maple syrup, and bitters in a glass.
2. Stir well.
3. Add ice and enjoy.

Spiced Orange Bourbon Sour

Discover a new twist on the classic bourbon sour with a spiced orange flair. This cocktail offers a warm, citrusy blend perfect for autumn evenings. Here’s what you’ll need and how to put it all together:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
• 0.75 oz Maple Syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1-2 Strips of Orange Peel
• Cinnamon Stick (optional)
• Ice Cubes

Instructions:

Prepare Your Glass

• Chill a lowball glass by filling it with ice water.
• Let it sit while you prepare your cocktail.

Combine Ingredients

• In a cocktail shaker, add bourbon, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters.
• Fill the shaker with ice cubes.

Shake Vigorously

• Shake the mixture for about 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

Strain and Serve

• Discard the ice from the chilled glass.
• Strain the cocktail into the glass over fresh ice cubes.

Garnish

• Squeeze the orange peel over the drink to release oils.
• Rub the peel around the rim of the glass.
• Drop the peel into the cocktail.
• Add a cinnamon stick for extra aroma and taste, if desired.

View Recipe

Blackberry Bourbon Smash

The Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a delightful fall cocktail. It combines the rich flavors of bourbon with the tartness of blackberries and the freshness of mint. Here’s how you can make it:

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup or one sugar cube
• 1/2 lemon or lime, cut into wedges
• 6-8 fresh blackberries
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• Club soda (optional)
• Fresh mint and blackberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Muddle Ingredients:

• In a shaker, add the mint leaves, lemon wedges, blackberries, and simple syrup (or sugar cube).
• Muddle until the ingredients are well crushed.

Add Bourbon and Ice:

• Pour in the bourbon.
• Add a handful of ice.

Shake:

• Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.

Pour:

• Pour the contents into a double old-fashioned glass or rocks glass.
• Strain if you prefer a smoother texture, though not necessary.

Optional Finishing Touches:

• Top with a splash of club soda if desired.
• Garnish with fresh mint and blackberries.

View Recipe