There’s a lot to love about fall. From the cozy pleasure of a favorite fluffy sweater to the comforting aromas of hot food being cooked up in the kitchen, there’s a wholesomeness to this time of the year that just isn’t there in the hotter months. Time to temper it with some good old-fashioned alcohol! These four drinks will warm you from the inside, help keep the conversation coming, and make those dark winter days just a little bit brighter.
Pumpkin Spice White Russian
It’s not fall without pumpkin spice-something, so why not make yours a play on the White Russian? Maybe you could even work it into your Big Lebowski costume! In addition to the standard vodka and Kahlua, this crafty cocktail gets Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Creamer in place of the traditional half ‘n’ half and a pumpkin pie spice around the rim.
What to have on hand: vodka, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Creamer
Hot Buttered Rum
This classic hot cocktail can be whipped up using a premade mix combined with hot water and rum, with wonderful results. Or it can easily be made from scratch, for you DIYers out there. Most of the ingredients are things you’ll likely already have in your pantry or spice rack.
What to have on hand: dark rum
Irish Coffee
Bring the party to breakfast with this classic coffee and whiskey cocktail. The Kitchn’s version uses both brown and white sugar for sweetness, your favorite cup of joe, a mid-shelf Irish whiskey such as Tullamore Dew, Bushmills, or Jameson, and fresh whipped cream.
What to have on hand: Irish whiskey
The Manhattan
Although it’s not strictly a seasonal cocktail, the Manhattan’s rich, warming whiskey notes make it great for cooler weather. This drink is truly a classic, with many different takes on exactly how it should be done. But this recipe from The Spruce Eats keeps it simple and has nearly five stars from 185 reviewers, so it’s probably a fine place to begin. Like many classic cocktails, the list of ingredients is pretty sparse, so you will want to go with a higher quality hooch since that will be mostly what you taste.
What to have on hand: rye or Bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino cherries
For more tips on what to eat and drink during the colder months, visit the Olympus Northpoint blog.