Fall Cocktails You’ll Love to Mix This Season

Summary

Shake up your season with cozy fall cocktails! From pumpkin spice White Russians to maple bourbon old fashioneds, here are 5 recipes to try at home (or in class 😉). Learn how to mix like a pro with National Bartending School.

When the air gets crisp and the leaves turn golden, it’s time to swap out light summer drinks for rich, cozy fall cocktails. Whether you’re a professional bartender in training or just looking to impress at your next gathering, fall flavors like apple, cinnamon, pumpkin, and maple are the perfect foundation for seasonal drinks. At National Bartending School, we believe every cocktail is an opportunity to learn, create, and have fun. Here are some delicious fall cocktail recipes you can start mixing today.

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🍎 Apple Cider Mule

A fall twist on the classic Moscow Mule.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer (to top)
• Apple slices & cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add vodka, apple cider, and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

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🎃 Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Creamy, sweet, and full of autumn flavor.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 1 oz pumpkin spice creamer or pumpkin spice syrup + cream
• Whipped cream & pumpkin spice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in vodka and coffee liqueur.
3. Top with pumpkin spice creamer.
4. Stir lightly and garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.

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🍂 Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

A warm, rich cocktail perfect for cool nights.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel & cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube.
4. Express the orange peel over the drink, then garnish with peel and a cinnamon stick.

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🍏 Caramel Apple Martini

Sweet and festive—like a caramel apple on a stick.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (caramel-flavored if available)
• 1 oz sour apple schnapps
• 1 oz butterscotch schnapps
• Caramel drizzle & apple slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Drizzle caramel inside a chilled martini glass.
2. Shake vodka, sour apple schnapps, and butterscotch schnapps with ice.
3. Strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with an apple slice.

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🍫 Spiked Hot Chocolate

A cozy treat for chilly evenings.
Ingredients:

• 6 oz hot chocolate (freshly made or instant)
• 1.5 oz Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps (optional)
• Whipped cream & chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare hot chocolate in a mug.
2. Stir in Baileys and schnapps (if using).
3. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

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Final Pour

These cocktails are not only fun to drink but also fun to make. Practicing fall recipes helps bartenders-in-training expand their skills, experiment with seasonal flavors, and bring extra flair to their craft. At National Bartending School, we’ll teach you how to mix classics and seasonal favorites like these with confidence.

👉 Want to learn more? Join our hands-on classes and start mixing like a pro today!

Ready to host a party and let National Bartenders do all of the work? Click here!