Fall is the best time of year in Austin! It’s when we can finally lean into crisp, cool weather and sip on cocktails outside. When it comes to fall-themed cocktails, my expectations are quite high. But I was shockingly pleased to find plenty of drinks creatively crafted for the season.
Here is a list of 11 fall cocktails so special, you’ll plan your next night out around a chance to taste these enchanting escapes.
1/ It Was Fall A Dream
From District Kitchen + Cocktails, try It Was Fall a Dream. It’s infused with spiced rum, house-made pineapple falernum, coconut orgeat, citrus stock, walnut bitters, and Montenegro rinse.
This delightful cocktail is sweet yet spicy, just like the essence of Autumn.
5900 Slaughter Lane — Website
2/ It’s Yammer Time
Being a child of the ’80s and ’90s, I was immediately sold on the MC Yammer from Geraldine’s. It’s a unique blend of sweet potato-infused Tito’s, Licor 43, almond milk, maple, pecan orgeat, and toasted mallow. And it’s destined to be a seasonal trend.
605 Davis St. — Website
3/ Little Bitty
Don’t let the name fool you, this cocktail’s flavor profile is huge. The Little Bitty from Apis Restaurant & Apiary is made with bourbon, chai, Aperol, lime, yuzu, and nutmeg. It’s a fall drink destined to be remembered.
23526 Hwy 71 West, Spicewood — Website
4/ Messicana
The Messicana from It’s Italian Cucina reflects the Piemontese influence at this family-owned hotspot. Blending Vida mezcal, aperol and Carpano Punt e Mes vermouth, this Italian-inspired fall cocktail is sure to inspire families and friends to celebrate together just a little bit longer.
1500 S. Lamar Blvd. #110 — Website
Fall Cocktails Inspired by Halloween
Trick or treat? Let’s skip to the treat. These delightful cocktails are sure to surprise even the most daring spirit.
5/ La Bruja
La Bruja from La Condesa is a tequila cocktail shaken with El Jimador blanco, Broker’s London dry gin, lemon, angostura, agave nectar, and fresh fresno pepper.
Don’t let the spicy, dry, and sweet combo scare you, though. This is one trick that will surely treat your taste buds.
400 W. 2nd St. — Website
6/ Dia De Los Muertos #2
Also from La Condesa, Dia De Los Muertos #2 is a boo-zy mezcal cocktail sure to raise your spirits and the dead. Mixed with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Cointreau, Lillet blanc, and lemon, this divine drink will keep you around for seconds.
400 W. 2nd St. — Website
7/ Same Same Tonic
Same Same Tonic from Sway is an enchantingly beautiful, color changing cocktail. Color changing? Sold. It’s made with Butterfly Pea gin, which is brewed for 24 hours, turning it into a tinted lavender color.
Multiple locations — Website
Whisler’s “Turn the Dial” Series
The final cocktails on my list are all from Whisler’s, an east side bar known for mixology. The bartender who invented each drink paired it with music. You can check out the Spotify playlist here. Enjoy!
8/ Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
Mezcal, aperol, and tamarind paired with flavors of strawberry, citrus, pepper, and worm salt make the Bidi Bidi Bom Bom a must-try. Bartender Sean Skvarka paired his creation with a fun, playful tune from Selena.
9/ Kids in the Dark
Gin and chareau, plus flavors of cucumber, blackberry, and lemon evoke a Stranger Things ’80s vibe. Also invented by Sean Skvarka, Kids in the Dark is also the name of a song by Bat for Lashes.
10/ Song for the Dead
Bourbon, Slo gin, rhum, arrack, and grenadine mixed with lemon, and cynar exude the dark and ominous. Song for the Dead should be paired with nothing other than Queens of the Stone Age. This cocktail was invented by bartender Nick Gonzalez.
11/ Yulunga
Lemongrass, ginger-infused rum, avocado, yuzu, and pineapple elicit all that is elegant and tribal. Pair Yulunga at Whisler’s with music by Dead Can Dance. This final concoction was invented by bartender Sean Skvarka.
1816 E. 6th St. — Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What are your favorite fall cocktails in Austin?
