Here’s a drink that screams spooky fun: the Halloween Margarita! It might look scary, but it tastes like a dream, made with a spiced apple cider syrup, fresh lime and tequila. It’s tangy and a little sweet, balancing the lime and tequila perfectly. Make it as a single drink, or whip up a pitcher for a party! The glass garnishes take it over the top, like DIY black colored sugar, blood oranges, and a few spiders (of course!).

What you need for Halloween margaritas

If you love Halloween like we do, you’ll absolutely love this drink! This Halloween margarita is ideal for parties because you can whip up single drinks to order or make a big pitcher. The flavor is perfectly spiced and nuanced, tangy sweet from the apple cider syrup balanced with the bite of the tequila. It’s absolutely worth whipping up the syrup in advance because it infuses major flavor without watering down the drink. Here are the components you’ll need for a Halloween margarita:

• Tequila, blanco or reposado
• Apple cider syrup (see below)
• Lime juice
• Kosher salt or black colored sugar
• Blood orange slice
• Clear ice, for serving
• Halloween cocktail picks

Making the apple cider syrup

Apple cider syrup is essential for the flavor in this drink! Apple cider on its own waters down cocktails instead of adding flavor. Making the syrup is what infuses major flavor into the drink, while still allowing the tequila and lime to shine through. Here’s what to know about apple cider syrup:

• It takes 30 minutes to make. Simply boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for about 30 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy.
• Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
• Make a double batch for a pitcher. If you’re making 8 drinks, make a double batch of the syrup!
• Want to use it for more drinks? Try the Fall Margarita or Apple Cider Old Fashioned.

Halloween margarita drink garnishes

The best part of a Halloween margarita? The drink garnishes! You can get creative with your own ideas, or you can use what we’ve made up here. Here’s what to know:

• Make DIY colored sugar. Turns out, you don’t have to go out and buy drink sugar. You can make your own! Go to our DIY colored sugar tutorial and follow the instructions for the black sugar. Or, you can make different colors like orange or purple!
• If you prefer, make a salt rim. It also tastes great with a salt rim. (In theory, you could use the same instructions as the colored sugar for salt: we just haven’t tried it! You’ll want to use flaky or kosher salt, not fine salt.)
• Use an orange slice and festive cocktail picks. These Halloween cocktail picks (aka cupcake toppers) really set the tone! We used a blood orange slice to fasten our cocktail picks, because Halloween! But if you can’t find them, a regular orange will do.

Notes on clear ice

While it’s not required, clear ice is the final component that makes for the best Halloween Margarita! Clear ice is crystal clear ice that makes a drink look like it came from a fancy bar. You can cut it into large, organic chunks to take your cocktails to the next level.

• Clear ice is easy to make at home with a small cooler and 24 hours. You’ll need to freeze it overnight, then you can cut it into chunks. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.
• Or, use a clear ice tray! Try this ClearlyFrozen Home Clear Ice Maker works well.

Make a Halloween margarita pitcher for a party

If you’re having a Halloween party, make a Halloween margarita pitcher! It’s easy to make 8 drinks at once and comes together quickly. See the instructions in the recipe below.

Party tip: Make sure to have all your drink rims and garnishes prepped in advance. Then you can add ice and pour in the drinks directly before serving. Avoid placing the ice in the glass beforehand, since the melting ice can cause the food coloring in the colored sugar to melt.

More Halloween drinks

Want more ideas for spooky drinks? Here are a few Halloween cocktails we love:

• Try this bright Witches Brew Drink
• Go for a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
• Make Halloween Sangria or smoking Halloween Punch
• Try these other Halloween Drinks

01

Witches Brew Drink

02

Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail

03

Halloween Punch

04

Top 20 Halloween Cocktails & Drinks

Halloween Margarita

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Syrup Prep: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 31 minute
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

This Halloween Margarita is the best drink for the season! Whip up single cocktails or a pitcher for a spooky evening.

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Ingredients

For the Halloween margarita

• 2 ounces tequila reposado (or tequila blanco)
• 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below)
• ½ ounce lime juice
• Kosher salt or black colored sugar*, for the rim
• Blood orange slice, for garnish (optional)
• Clear ice, for serving
• Halloween cocktail picks (optional but recommended)

For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)

• 4 cups apple cider
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks

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Instructions

1. Make the apple cider syrup: Place the apple cider, granulated sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then maintain a low boil for 30 to 35 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Use immediately or refrigerate until using (stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
2. Prepare the glass: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt or black colored sugar.
3. Make a single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
4. Serve: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with clear ice. If desired, garnish with a blood orange slice and Halloween cocktail picks.
5. For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 2 cups tequila, 1 cup apple cider syrup (make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe above!) and ½ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.

Notes

 

• Category: Cocktail
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Halloween margarita

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s a fall cocktail to add to your list this season: the Fall Margarita! A spiced apple cider syrup infuses major fall nostalgia into this simple drink. Add fresh lime and tequila and it’s the season’s signature drink! Whip it up as a single drink, or make a big pitcher to share with a crowd. Either way, it’s a cocktail to impress!

Ingredients for a fall margarita

The fall margarita is a spin on the classic margarita, one of the world’s most famous cocktails. This iconic drink was mostly likely invented in Mexico in the 1930’s. Margarita means “daisy” in Spanish; the Daisy is a historic family of drinks with base liquor, orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau), lemon juice, and soda water. For the fall version of this drink, we substituted apple cider syrup for the orange liqueur and it works surprisingly well. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 ounces tequila reposado (or tequila blanco)
• 1 ounce apple cider syrup
• ½ ounce lime juice
• For the glass: kosher salt, clear ice, and cinnamon stick or apple slices

Making apple cider syrup

The apple cider syrup is what makes this fall margarita sing! Adding apple syrup to a cocktail waters it down, but apple cider syrup infuses apple and cinnamon flavor as well as sweetness. It’s the perfect glue that holds this drink together! Here are a few things to note:

• It takes 30 minutes to make. Boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for 30 to 35 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy.
• Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
• Make a double batch for a pitcher. If you’re making 8 drinks, make 1.5 times or double batch of the syrup! You’ll have leftover syrup, but the single recipe makes only ¾ cup.

Notes on clear ice

Clear ice is the final component for the best Fall Margarita! It’s crystal clear ice that makes your drink look like it came from a fancy bar. Cut it into large, organic chunks to take your cocktails to the next level. Here’s how to make it:

• Use a small cooler and 24 hours. Go to How to Make Clear Ice and make a batch the night before. Once you freeze it overnight, you can cut it into chunks.
• Alternatively, use a clear ice tray. There are now many clear ice trays and makers on the market. Try this ClearlyFrozen Home Clear Ice Maker!

Make a fall margarita pitcher

Want to make fall margaritas for a crowd? Make a fall margarita pitcher! This simple blend of the ingredients makes 8 drinks and you don’t have to dirty a cocktail shaker. Stir the following ingredients together in a pitcher, then pour into the prepared glasses:

• 2 cups tequila
• 1 cup apple cider syrup (make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe below!)
• ½ cup lime juice
• 3 handfuls ice

And that’s it! We hope you love this fall margarita recipe as much as we do! Make a big pitcher to share with friends and let us know what you think in the comments below.

More fall cocktails

This fall margarita is perfect for any occasion, from a fall gathering to Thanksgiving to Halloween. Here are a few more fall cocktails to try:

• Try a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
• Go for Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum or Spiked Apple Cider
• Try Fall Sangria
• Opt for an Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail or Apple Cider Mule

01

30 Fall Cocktails & Drinks

02

Hot Toddy

03

Spiked Apple Cider

04

Fall Sangria Recipe

Fall Margarita

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Syrup Prep: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

Jump into the season with a fall margarita! The combination of tequila, fresh lime, and spiced apple cider syrup can’t be beat.

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Ingredients

For the fall margarita

• 2 ounces tequila reposado (or tequila blanco)
• 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below)
• ½ ounce lime juice
• For the glass: kosher salt, clear ice, and cinnamon stick or apple slices (optional)

For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)

• 4 cups apple cider
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks

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Instructions

1. Make the apple cider syrup: Place the apple cider, granulated sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then maintain a low boil for 30 to 35 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Use immediately or refrigerate until using (stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
2. Prepare the glass: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
3. Make a single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
4. Serve: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with clear ice. If desired, garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slices.
5. For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 2 cups tequila, 1 cup apple cider syrup (make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe above!) and ½ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.

• Category: Cocktails
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Fall margarita

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Craving the refreshing, zingy flavor of lemon? Try this easy lemon smoothie recipe! This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice. Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it’s one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around! Here are a few tips to this fun lemon drink.

Ingredients in this lemon smoothie

Lemon is a unique flavor for a smoothie recipe: it’s more common to see berry flavors like a strawberry smoothie or bright green smoothies. But a lemon smoothie is a fun and refreshingly healthy way to enjoy fresh fruit! There’s no juice or loads of extra sugar: it’s lightly sweetened with a hint of maple syrup and made creamy with your milk of choice. Here are a few notes on the ingredients you need:

• Lemon juice and zest: The best flavor in a lemon smoothie is from real lemon! You’ll use the zest from an entire lemon here, plus two tablespoons of the fresh juice (no substitutes).
• Frozen pineapple: Frozen pineapple is essential for the frosty texture and it adds a nice yellow color.
• Banana: Room temperature banana is all you need: no need to freeze it! It’s also essential for the creamy texture of the smoothie. (Alternatively, you could use fresh pineapple and frozen banana.)
• Milk: You’ll need liquid for it to blend! Use your favorite milk here, dairy or non-dairy both work, making it a vegan smoothie option.
• Maple syrup: Just 1 teaspoon maple syrup heightens the flavors and gives it the best, sweet tart flavor.

Use turmeric for color

Turmeric is a a root used in cooking, part of the ginger family. It is most often used dried and ground into a yellow powder, which has an earthy, almost mustard-like flavor. But more than flavor, turmeric is also often used for color in recipes: in fact, it’s what gives yellow mustard its bright yellow color!

You can use turmeric here to make an even brighter lemon flavor! It won’t be noticeable flavor-wise.

Ways to add more protein

This lemon smoothie isn’t protein packed, unless you use dairy milk (which has 8 grams protein in 1 cup). If you’d like, you can add even more protein: whether it’s dairy-based or a vegan smoothie. Here are some ideas:

• Stir in Greek yogurt. Use ½ cup Greek yogurt and ½ cup milk for a significant dose of protein.
• Chia seeds. You can add plant-based protein and fiber with chia seeds: 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
• Vanilla protein powder: Protein powder works well too! We use this protein powder that has natural ingredients and a flavor that’s not too artificial. Just remember to dial back the maple syrup or honey, because protein powder adds sweetness.

Variations on this lemon smoothie

Want to change up this lemon smoothie with mix-ins instead? There are a few additions that go well with the tropical flavors here! Here’s what we’d recommend trying:

• Add cashew butter. A way to add plant-based protein is nut butter; we recommend the flavor of cashews here to compliment the lemon. Keep in mind this can also dampen the flavor of the smoothie.
• Swap in frozen mango or peaches. Swap out a cup of the frozen pineapple for frozen fruit of another variety.
• Throw in coconut. Throw in a handful of coconut (or toasted coconut) for a tropical vibe.
• Add a handful of fresh mint or basil. Lemon mint and lemon basil are two tasty flavor combinations.

More smoothie recipes

This lemon smoothie is one of our favorite new smoothie recipes! Here are a few more we love:

• Try a Perfect Strawberry Smoothie or Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
• Make a Mango Smoothie
• Go for a Green Detox Smoothie or Glowing Green Smoothie
• Try a Easy Smoothie Bowl

01

Perfect Strawberry Smoothie

02

Mango Smoothie

03

Green Detox Smoothie

04

50 Best Smoothie Recipes

This lemon smoothie recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Lemon Smoothie

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 large or 2 small

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Description

This lemon smoothie recipe is bright and creamy! Whiz it up in a blender for a refreshing, nourishing drink.

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Ingredients

• Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup milk of choice (or ½ cup Greek yogurt and ½ cup milk)
• 2 cups frozen pineapple 
• 1 banana (room temperature, broken into chunks)
• 6 ice ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional, for color)

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Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender in the order listed. Blend until creamy and frothy, stopping and scraping down the sides as necessary, and adding a bit more liquid if necessary.
2. Taste and if necessary, add another drizzle of maple syrup depending on the ripeness of your pineapple (you likely will not need it). Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 1 day.

• Category: Smoothie
• Method: Blender
• Cuisine: Drink
• Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Lemon smoothie

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Thanksgiving is full of traditions: and why not add a signature drink? This holiday is all about the food, but the paired drinks are just as memorable. Here at A Couple Cooks we’re cocktail experts, with a repertoire of over 300 cocktails. We reviewed the list and these top Thanksgiving cocktails for celebrating the holiday in style!

Fall flavors are ripe for creating drinks that evoke those cozy fall feelings. Ingredients that feature in Thanksgiving drinks are apple cider, pomegranate, cranberry, bourbon, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

Want Thanksgiving cocktails by liquor? Try Fall Bourbon Cocktails or Fall Vodka Cocktails.

And now…the top Thanksgiving cocktails and drinks!

Pumpkin Martini

Here's the ideal Thanksgiving cocktail: the Pumpkin Martini! It’s creamy, it’s cozy pie spiced, and it’s made with real pumpkin for the best natural flavor. Even better, coat the glass rim in crushed graham crackers and you get a hint of crunchy sweet in each sip! This is the best cocktail for impressing your friends for any fall occasion. 

Ingredients: Vodka, heavy cream, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla

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Apple Cider Margarita

Once apple cider season rolls around, there’s one cocktail you absolutely must make with it. This Apple Cider Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. 

Ingredients: Apple cider, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice

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Thanksgiving Pomegranate Punch

Here’s a punch recipe that's even more delicious than it looks. Try this Thanksgiving Pomegranate Punch! This ruby red punch stars pomegranate juice and fresh citrus with a hint of maple syrup. Take one sip and it’s light, fruity, bubbly, and sweet tart: a true burst of refreshing flavors! Spike it or drink it non-alcoholic: either way, guests won’t be able to stop sipping it.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, lemons, oranges, soda water, maple syrup, bourbon or brandy

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Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for a signature Thanksgiving cocktail featuring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth. Because it stars cranberry and bourbon it’s ideal for fall or winter entertaining, like Thanksgiving dinner. But it works for any season and occasion! 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, bourbon, orange juice, sweet vermouth

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Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler

When it comes to festive Thanksgiving cocktails…well, this one might take the cake. Try this Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is one of the most satisfying in our list of cocktail recipes.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, Aperol, Prosecco

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Apple Sangria

Next up in our Thanksgiving cocktails: Apple Sangria! This drink is made the traditional Spanish way, meaning it's bold and wine-forward. This fall variation features red and green apples and a hint of cinnamon. It’s crisp, cool and loaded with flavor, without overdosing on sweetness.

Ingredients: Apples, lemon, sugar, dry red wine, brandy, cinnamon, apple cider (optional)

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Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

Here’s a spin on the classic whiskey sour that will have everyone talking: try this cranberry orange whiskey sour! This fruity combination is perfect for Thanksgiving. The bright berries add a fruity, tart intensity to the finish of each sip. Paired with bourbon, fresh orange and lemon juice, and maple syrup, it makes the best signature drink!

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Pear Martini

This elegant cocktail the ideal signature Thanksgiving drink: the Pear Martini! This cocktail is great for fall and winter entertaining, and to be honest: it caught us off guard with its delicate, sweet flavor. Pear comes in two waves: a muddled fresh pear brings brightness, and pear vodka infuses a strong fruity aroma. 

Ingredients: Fresh pear, pear vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup

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Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Looking for a pumpkin drink that’s sippable and not too sweet? Try our new favorite Thanksgiving cocktail: the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! This one is for bourbon-lovers: it’s a nuanced slow sipper with notes of vanilla, maple and spice. It’s barely sweet and bourbon-forward, ideal for sipping by the fireside or any fall occasion. While it’s bright orange, it tastes just like the Classic Old Fashioned you love…only cozier.

Ingredients: Bourbon, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla

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Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for a Thanksgiving drink that exudes all the fall vibes? Try this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail! Cider pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy bourbon in this sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex and highly drinkable.

Ingredients: apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters

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Cranberry Martini

Here’s a tasty, sweet tart spin on the vodka martini that you’ve got to try: the Cranberry Martini! It’s refreshing, zingy and perfectly balanced, starring Cointreau orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice. The bright red cranberry makes it an ideal signature Thanksgiving drink.

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, vodka, lemon juice, Cointreau, simple syrup

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Apple Cider Hot Toddy

Looking for a hot drink for Thanksgiving? Try an Apple Cider Hot Toddy! Apple cider is the ideal balance in a hot toddy: it brings just the right sweet tart nuance to the flavor. Mix one up as a single serving, or make a big batch for guests like a spiked cider.

Ingredients: Apple cider, bourbon, honey lemon

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Hot Buttered Rum

Here’s a Thanksgiving drink that’s ideal for sipping by the fire on a chilly evening: Hot Buttered Rum! This spin is just sweet enough, cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and spirit-forward with boozy dark rum. Oh: and there’s just enough butter to make it lightly creamy. It’s enough to warm your toes…and your soul.

Ingredients: Salted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, dark rum, water

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Bourbon Manhattan

A stunning Thanksgiving cocktail? Try the Bourbon Manhattan! Over here, we love the smooth, sweet flavor of bourbon whiskey. While a Manhattan is classically made with spicy rye whiskey, we prefer it made with bourbon. The notes of oak, vanilla and caramel oak in bourbon are the perfect match for sweet vermouth.

Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, sweet red vermouth, angostura bitters

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Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Thanksgiving Sangria

Here's a fun pitcher-style Thanksgiving cocktail: Thanksgiving sangria! It features white wine mixed with cider, brandy, pumpkin butter, citrus, spices, and a splash of ginger beer. via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients: White wine, brandy, pumpkin butter, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger beer

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Mulled Wine

What better way to start the Thanksgiving fun than a great Mulled Wine? Make up a big pot, and it fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of toasted allspice and cinnamon. This recipe is just sweet enough, balancing the bold fruity wine with mulling spices, citrus, and oak and vanilla notes on the finish. 

Ingredients: Dry red wine, water, maple syrup, brandy or Cognac, allspice, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange

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Maple Old Fashioned

Here’s a spin on the classic that might be even tastier than the original: the Maple Old Fashioned! This fall cocktail uses maple syrup instead of sugar, along with the classic whiskey and bitters. Give it a swirl and a taste, and it’s even smoother than the original! The maple syrup adds hints of caramel and vanilla that give even more nuance and sophistication to each sip.

Ingredients: Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters

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Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Spiced Cranberry Punch

This cranberry punch is a festive, warming pitcher style cocktail that's perfect as a Thanksgiving drink! It stars a homemade spiced cranberry syrup with warming mulling spices, mixed with honey, citrus and vodka. via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients: Cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka

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Kir Royale

Here's an easy Thanksgiving cocktail that's festive and sophisticated: the Kir Royale! This famous French cocktail stars black currant liqueur and sparkling wine: and the berries and bubbles suit each other perfectly. The best cocktail recipes are simple perfection, and there’s nothing better than this 2 ingredient combination.

Ingredients: Crème de cassis, champagne

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Apple Cider Mule

Here’s a festive Thanksgiving cocktail that’s perfect for easy entertaining: the Apple Cider Mule! Everyone loves a classic Moscow Mule, and this seasonal spin is even more fun. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug.

Ingredients: vodka, lime, apple cider, ginger beer

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Cranberry Margarita

This fun variation on the classic is the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail: the Cranberry Margarita! This bright red drink is absolutely stunning to look at, and the sweet tart flavor is crisp and refreshing. It’s got all the character of the classic margarita, but a beautiful new look and nuance to the flavor! 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, lime juice, tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup

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Spiked Apple Cider

Last up in our favorite Thanksgiving cocktails: spiked apple cider! This spiked apple cider hits all the cozy notes, and it makes your house smell like a fall wonderland. Rum complements the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise perfectly. Make a separate non-alcoholic batch for the kids, or add the rum after serving.

Ingredients: Whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, rum

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Pomegranate Cosmo

Here's a spin on a classic cocktail that might be even better than the original: the Pomegranate Cosmo! This sweet tart drink pairs pomegranate, vodka, and orange liqueur in a symphony of flavor. You can use bottled pomegranate juice from the store, or make your own using the seeds from the fresh fruit.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice. vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup or maple syrup

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Apple Cider Martini

For a great Thanksgiving cocktail, look no further than this Apple Cider Martini! It’s no secret that apple cider is one of our favorite ingredients for fall cocktails. This one surprised us as a new favorite. It’s tangy and balanced, with just the right interplay between sweet tart cider and citrusy orange liqueur. It’s got a hint of cinnamon on the finish and beware: it’s very drinkable. 

Ingredients: Apple cider, vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon

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Cranberry Moscow Mule

When it comes to Thanksgiving entertaining, the Moscow Mule is pretty ideal. It’s tangy and refreshing, easy to make right into the mug, and everyone always loves it. So get ready for the best new fruity spin: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger. 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka, ginger beer

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Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned

Here's a great bourbon-forward cocktail for Thanksgiving sipping: a spiced honey Old Fashioned! Make up a homemade spiced rosemary and honey simple syrup to mix with warming bourbon, lemon, and orange. via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients: Honey, cinnamon, rosemary, cardamom, ginger, orange, vanilla, bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, bitters

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Fall Margarita

Here’s a fall cocktail to add to your list this season: the Fall Margarita! A spiced apple cider syrup infuses major fall nostalgia into this simple drink. Add fresh lime and tequila and it’s the season’s signature drink! Whip it up as a single drink, or make a big pitcher to share with a crowd. Either way, it’s a cocktail to impress!

Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, lime juice, tequila

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Brandy Hot Toddy

Looking for a warming drink with brandy? Try the Brandy Hot Toddy! This variation on the classic Hot Toddy is uniquely delicious, featuring the fruity, sweet taste of brandy with apple and cinnamon. Adding hot water opens up the flavor of the liquor so you can appreciate the complexity in each sip.

Ingredients: Brandy, maple syrup or honey, hot water, apple, cinnamon stick

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Irish Coffee

To round out a Thanksgiving meal, try Irish coffee! There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream. There are infinite variations on the spiked coffee theme, too. Try Baileys Coffee or Amaretto Coffee.

Or for a non-alcoholic version, try Homemade Hot Chocolate!

Ingredients: Coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey, whipped cream

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Pomegranate Gin Fizz

Last up in our Thanksgiving cocktails and drinks, an impressive and fun drink: the Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one of our favorite classic cocktails: sweet tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color!

Ingredients: Pomegranate Juice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, soda water

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Non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks

Don’t drink alcohol, or want something for the kids? There are lots of great options for Thanksgiving drinks that aren’t cocktails! Here are some of our top fall drinks that work when entertaining:

• Make a big pot of fragrant Mulled Cider
• Make eye-catching non-alcoholic Pomegranate Punch, or the non-alcoholic variation of this Holiday Punch!
• Mix up Apple Cider Slushies
• Grab a cozy tea latte, like a Chai Latte or London Fog
• Make homemade Hot Chocolate
• Go for these Hot Drinks to Take the Chill Off

01

Mulled Cider

02

Apple Cider Slushie

03

London Fog Drink

04

Holiday Punch

30 Great Thanksgiving Cocktails

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1

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Description

Thanksgiving cocktails celebrate the flavors of the season! Try drinks starring apple, pomegranate, and cranberry and more.

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Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces* tequila reposado or blanco
• 2 ounces apple cider
• ¾ ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
• Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
• Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
• Star anise and cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of cinnamon and sugar.
2. Single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the sugar rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
3. Pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups apple cider, ¾ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Prepare the glasses separately, then add 2/3 cup to each glass and garnish with ice.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

• Category: Drink
• Method: Shaken
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Thanksgiving cocktails, Thanksgiving drinks

More Thanksgiving resources

We’ve got a full suite of Thanksgiving resources to help you plan for this holiday! Whether it’s mains, sides, appetizers, or desserts: we’ve got you covered! Here are a few lists of recipes:

• Find all the greatest hits at 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes
• Pick from 15 Thanksgiving Desserts to Wow Everyone
• Got an Instant Pot? Try 10 Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
• Choose from 30 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes or 10 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes.
• Cooking for special diets? Try 25 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes or 10 Top Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

If you’re a bourbon fan, you’ve got to try it in one the oldest cocktails there is: the Old Fashioned! This classic blend of spirits, sugar, water, bitters, and a spritz of orange is truly sophisticated and sublime. The bourbon Old Fashioned lets that bourbon shine, gussied up with just enough to accentuate its classic vanilla and oak flavor notes. Here’s how to make this classic recipe and a few tips for how to make a stand-out version at home.

Bourbon Old Fashioned ingredients

The Old Fashioned cocktail is the first cocktail in history and over two centuries old. The definition of the word cocktail was first documented in 1806 in a New York paper, which called it a “concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar”—essentially a recipe for an Old Fashioned! When more cocktails came along in the 1880’s, they needed a name for that original cocktail and the “Old Fashioned” was born.

The classic drink can be made with any type of whiskey, but the bourbon spin uses bourbon. The Old Fashioned ingredients are:

• Bourbon whiskey
• Sugar cube
• Water
• Angostura bitters
• Orange peel

Best bourbon for Old Fashioned

Use your favorite type of bourbon for a Bourbon Old Fashioned! You can go with a higher end craft or single-barrel bourbon, but our favorite is a mid-range blended bourbon. Anything in the $25 to $35 range for a 750ml bottle is what we look for, though go as high end as you like! Some brands we’d recommend are:

• $: Elijah Craig Small Batch
• $$: Four Roses Small Batch or Woodford Reserve
• $$$: Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

How to make a bourbon Old Fashioned

There are lots of opinions on how to make the best bourbon Old Fashioned. The way we like it is the classic method, using a sugar cube and muddling it right in the glass. The classic method for how to make an Old Fashioned is:

• Shake 4 dashes bitters on 1 sugar cube, then muddle with ½ teaspoon water. This is the traditional method, though you can also use simple syrup if you like (1 ½ teaspoons). We prefer the nuanced sweetness of the sugar cube best: it really lets the whiskey shine. Don’t worry if it doesn’t dissolve all the way.
• Add 2 ounces bourbon.
• Garnish with clear ice, orange peel, and cocktail cherry. Add a large ice cube and an orange peel, making sure to squeeze it over the drink to release the oils. Add a cocktail cherry if you like!

Clear ice makes the drink

An Old Fashioned isn’t complete without a large chunk of clear ice, in our opinion! Clear ice is crystal clear instead of cloudy like standard ice, and it can be cut into large organic shapes that fill the cocktail glass. There are two simple ways to make clear ice for all your home cocktails:

• Make it using a small cooler. You can make a batch that will last for many drinks and store it in the freezer, then cut it into large cubes for all your drinks. All you need is 24 hours and a small cooler! To do it, go to our tutorial, How to Make Clear Ice.
• Use a purchased clear ice tray. With the popularity of home bartending, there are now some great options for clear ice trays. We like this one: ClearlyFrozen Home Clear Ice Maker.

More bourbon cocktails

The bourbon Old Fashioned is one of our top ways to enjoy a good bourbon whiskey! But there are several more we enjoy, from boozy to balanced mixed drinks and fruity sours. Here are a few of our top bourbon cocktails:

• Try sophisticated Bourbon Manhattan that blends bourbon with sweet vermouth
• Opt for a boozy Bourbon Sazerac, essentially an Old Fashioned with absinthe
• Make creamy and sweet Bourbon Milk Punch
• Go for fruity bourbon drinks like Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail, Bourbon Lemonade or Peach Bourbon Cocktail
• Mix up the classic Bourbon Sidecar or Bourbon Sour

01

Bourbon Manhattan

02

Bourbon Sidecar

03

Bourbon Sazerac

04

Bourbon Lemonade

This bourbon Old Fashioned recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Bourbon Old Fashioned

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★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1

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Description

The bourbon Old Fashioned is a smooth, spirit-forward sipper that’s one of the oldest cocktails in history! This classic is here to stay.

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Ingredients

• 1 sugar cube (1 ½ teaspoons simple syrup)
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• ½ teaspoon water
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon
• Orange peel
• Cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional)
• Large clear ice cube, for serving

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Instructions

1. Place the sugar cube in a lowball glass and add the bitters. Add the water and mash and swirl it with a muddler or wooden spoon until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
2. Add the whiskey and swirl to combine. Add a large ice cube.
3. Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass. If desired, garnish with a cocktail cherry for additional sweetness.

• Category: Drink
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Bourbon Old Fashioned

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Got basil? Fresh basil leaves are pure gold: an abundance can make everything from fresh basil pesto to caprese salad and everything in between. Here’s a fun way to use this fresh herb: basil lemonade! It has a sweet tart, refreshing flavor with a pungent finish of basil to each sip. It’s simple to whip up at home with a quick infused basil syrup that brings that signature herbaceous pop. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients for basil lemonade

Basil lemonade is fun to whip up at home and the perfect drink for impressing everyone (our son is one huge fan of homemade lemonade!). You’ll make a basil syrup that takes only a few minutes of hands on time, though you’ll need 30 minutes to the flavor to steep into the syrup. Keep in mind, this recipe is best in summer you’ve got fresh basil to spare. It calls for 1 cup mint leaves, which can get expensive if you’re buying store-bought herbs. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Fresh basil
• Lemons
• Suga

How to make basil lemonade (basic steps)

Homemade lemonade is simple: it just requires lots of lemons! You’ll need 7 to 8 large lemons to make a big pitcher. You can also consider making a half pitcher for a smaller quantity! Here are the basic steps for how to make basil lemonade (or jump to the recipe below for quantities):

• Make the basil syrup. Dissolve equal parts water and sugar, then add basil and allow the leaves to steep at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Juice the lemons. Using a press juicer is the quickest way to juice lemons: it gets out the most juice without tiring out your fingers from squeezing. The next best choice? A handheld citrus juicer.
• Mix the pitcher. Mix the basil syrup in a pitcher with the lemon juice and more cold water. Add ice and serve!

Spiked variation: add vodka or gin!

For another variation on basil lemonade, try turning this recipe into a summer cocktail! It’s the perfect basis for a sweet tart summer drink. Simply combine 1 cup of this lemonade with 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka. Or, try it with gin: add 1.5 ounces (3 Tbsp) per glass. Or, add limoncello to amp the lemony flavor: add 1 ounce (2 Tbsp) per glass.

Basil lemonade by the glass

Don’t want to make an entire pitcher of basil lemonade? This recipe makes 8 to 9 cups of lemonade, so it’s intended for parties or entertaining. You can make a big pitcher, but if you’re really just craving a glass, you can do that too! Here’s what to do:

• Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass. That’s 1 large lemon or 2 small.
• Add 3 tablespoons of basil syrup and stir until it dissolves.
• Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice. Water it down more if necessary. Enjoy!

More homemade lemonade recipes

This basil lemonade recipe is one in a lineup of fruity and herby lemonade flavors! Here are a few of our favorite ways to make lemonade:

• Try fruity Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade or Raspberry Lemonade
• Opt for herby Lavender Lemonade or Mint Lemonade
• Try Ginger Lemonade or Cucumber Lemonade
• Go for classic Best Homemade Lemonade

01

Best Homemade Lemonade

02

Mint Lemonade

03

Blueberry Lemonade

04

Strawberry Lemonade

This basil lemonade recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Basil Lemonade

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Rest Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8

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Description

Basil lemonade is a sweet tart, herbaceous, and refreshing summer drink! It’s easy to make with a quick infused syrup.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup basil leaves, tightly packed
• 1 ½ cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (7 to 8 large lemons)*
• 7 cups water, divided
• Ice

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Instructions

1. Add the sugar and 1 cup water to a small saucepan and heat until a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil leaves. Allow to steep until syrup is room temperature, about 30 minutes.*
2. Strain out the basil leaves, then add the basil syrup to a large pitcher with 6 cups cold water and the lemon juice.  Add ice and serve.

Notes

*Or, make a variation by the glass. Make the basil syrup and refrigerate leftovers. To make the lemonade by the glass, use 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons basil syrup, and 1 cup cold water. Add ice and serve!

• Category: Drink
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Lemonade
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Basil lemonade

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s a spin on the classic whiskey sour that will have everyone talking: try this cranberry orange whiskey sour! This fruity combination is perfect for winter and fall cocktails, or if you’re looking to use extra cranberry juice. The bright berries add a fruity, tart intensity to the finish of each sip. Paired with bourbon, fresh orange and lemon juice, and maple syrup, it makes the best signature drink!

Cranberry orange whiskey sour ingredients

This cranberry orange whiskey sour is a play on the Whiskey Sour, an iconic drink that goes back centuries. The earliest mention of the drink in literature was in the 1870’s, meaning this cocktail existed much before most classic cocktails that appeared in the 1910’s and 20’s.

• Whiskey (we prefer bourbon for a cranberry bourbon sour)
• Fresh-squeezed orange juice
• Fresh lemon juice
• Unsweetened cranberry juice
• Simple syrup or maple syrup
• Orange wheel or twist, cocktail cherry or cranberries, for garnish

Sweetened vs unsweetened cranberry juice

For cranberry cocktails, we prefer using unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail, which is sweetened. Because it’s a small quantity of cranberry juice (¾ ounce), you can use either here. If all you can find is the sweetened version, it will make for a slightly sweeter drink.

• Sweetened cranberry juice aka cranberry juice cocktail, has added sugars and sometimes high-fructose corn syrup as sweetener. It is the type used for classic cranberry cocktails of the past, like the Vodka Cranberry.
• 100% cranberry juice is easy to find at your local grocery store. The benefit? The color is brighter, and you can sweeten your drink to taste.

Egg white foam optional!

Bartenders have added egg whites to cocktails since the 1860’s to add a frothy texture to the top and a creamy rich flavor to each sip. It’s customary to have an egg white foam on a sour, so if you’d like you can add that to this cranberry orange whiskey sour! You can make the best frothy egg white foam using 1 egg white with the drink ingredients and a technique called a dry shake: shaking the cocktail ingredients without ice first. Here’s how it works:

• The first shake without ice lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.
• The second shake with ice cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.
• Go to Whiskey Sour with Egg White for the full technique!

Step it up with clear ice

Want to make a professional-looking cranberry orange whiskey sour? Use clear ice. These large, crystal clear ice cubes make your drink look like it’s from a fancy bar, vs the cloudy ice cubes that come from an ice try. They’re perfect for stepping up this drink. Here’s how to do it:

• Make clear ice in a small cooler. Go to How to Make Clear Ice for instructions! The cooler just needs to fit inside your freezer.
• Use a clear ice tray. We use this clear ice tray and it works well! It also fits easily into your freezer.

More fall cocktails

This cranberry orange whiskey sour is the perfect signature drink for the season, from Thanksgiving to Halloween or any fall gathering. There are so many great fall cocktails, especially fall bourbon cocktails! Here are a few more tasty fall cocktails with bourbon:

• Go for a Maple Old Fashioned
• Try a Hot Toddy or Bourbon Hot Toddy
• Make a Gold Rush or Apple Cider and Whiskey
• Opt for this Apple Cider Cocktail

01

Apple Cider Cocktail

02

Maple Old Fashioned

03

Bourbon Hot Toddy

04

Gold Rush Cocktail

This cranberry orange whiskey sour is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

This cranberry orange whiskey sour is a tasty spin on the classic cocktail! Cranberry juice adds a tart fruity finish to the drink.

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Ingredients

• 2 ounces whiskey (we prefer bourbon)
• 1 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
• ¾ ounce unsweetened cranberry juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup or maple syrup
• Clear ice, for serving
• Orange wheel or twist, cocktail cherry, cranberries or rosemary sprig, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until very cold.
2. Add ice to a lowball or Old Fashioned glass and strain the drink into the glass. Garnish with an orange slice, cocktail cherry or fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprig (if desired).

• Category: Cocktail
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Cranberry orange whiskey sour

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s a fun fall cocktail that’s ideal for any whiskey lover: try the Apple Cider Old Fashioned! Swapping out the sugar for apple cider syrup infuses fruity, spiced seasonal flavor into this classic drink. Each sip has notes of apple and orange, cinnamon and spice, and vanilla and oak. If you’re in the mood for a boozy showstopper, this is the drink for you!

Ingredients in an apple cider Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails in existence, first documented in the early 1800’s by a New York paper. This spin uses apple cider syrup instead of the standard sugar cube to infuse homey flavors into the drink. Using syrup in this drink is ideal because adding straight apple cider waters down the drink, making it more like a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Apple cider syrup (see below)
• Angostura bitters
• Bourbon or rye whiskey
• Orange peel
• Apple slices and cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional)
• Large clear ice cube, for serving

Making apple cider syrup

The apple cider syrup is what makes this apple cider Old Fashioned sing! The boiled apple cider infuses apple and cinnamon flavor as well as sweetness. Here are a few things to note about this drink component:

• It takes 30 minutes to make. Boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for 30 to 35 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy.
• Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
• Want to use it for more drinks? Try the Fall Margarita!

Apple cider Old Fashioned: the quick way!

Don’t have 30 minutes to spare and want to whip up this apple cider Old Fashioned on demand? You can do that too. Follow the recipe below but use 1 tablespoon apple cider and 1 tablespoon simple syrup. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.

Step it up with clear ice

Want the very best Old Fashioned? Use clear ice. These are crystal clear ice cubes you can cut into organic shapes that make your drink look like it’s from a fancy bar. These contrast from the cloudy ice cubes that come from an ice try. They’re an absolute must for an Old Fashioned! Here’s how to do it:

• Make clear ice in a small cooler. Go to How to Make Clear Ice for instructions! The cooler just needs to fit inside your freezer.
• Use a clear ice tray. We use this clear ice tray and it works well! It also fits easily into your freezer.

More fall cocktails

This apple cider Old Fashioned is great for any occasion, be it Thanksgiving, apple picking, or any fall gathering. And there are so many ways to use apple cider into cocktails! Here are a few more fun fall drinks that incorporate cider and other fall flavors:

• Go for a Fall Margarita
• Opt for an Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail, Apple Cider Mule, Apple Cider Martini or Apple Cider Mimosa
• Try a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
• Go for Hot Toddy, Apple Cider Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum or Spiked Apple Cider

01

30 Fall Cocktails & Drinks

02

Apple Cider Hot Toddy

03

Apple Cider Cocktail

04

Hot Buttered Rum

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Syrup Prep: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

The apple cider Old Fashioned is a fall spin on the classic! Spiced apple cider syrup sweetens this whiskey cocktail.

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Ingredients

For the apple cider Old Fashioned

• 1/2 to 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below or variation*)
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces** bourbon or rye whiskey
• Orange peel
• Apple slices and cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional)
• Large clear ice cube, for serving

For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)

• 4 cups apple cider
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks

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Instructions

1. To make the apple cider syrup*: Place the apple cider, granulated sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then maintain a low boil for 30 to 35 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Use immediately or refrigerate until using (stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
2. To make the Old Fashioned: Add the apple cider syrup, bitters and whiskey to a lowball glass and stir to combine. Add a large ice cube.
3. Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass. If desired, garnish with a cocktail cherry for additional sweetness.

Notes

*Variation: For a quick version, follow the recipe above but in place of apple cider syrup, use 1 tablespoon apple cider and 1 tablespoon simple syrup, then adjust flavors as desired.

**To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

• Category: Cocktail
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Apple cider Old Fashioned

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s a fun drink that’s easy to whip up and packs a massive flavor punch: the Skeleton Key cocktail! This combination of bourbon, elderflower and ginger beer is a unique highball drink that’s bubbly, floral, and bittersweet! Topping it off with bitters creates a floating orange haze. It’s a modern classic invented in Detroit that has a spooky origin story, but we think it works any time of the year. Here’s how to make this easy cocktail.

What’s in a Skeleton Key cocktail?

The Skeleton Key cocktail is a highball cocktail made with bourbon, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and ginger beer, topped with bitters to form an orange haze that floats eerily on the top of the drink. The Skeleton Key was invented in 2011 at the now-closed Detroit restaurant Roast. Then bartender Brian Volmer created a cocktail for a local Halloween competition, which went on to become popular at bars around Detroit.

The name of the drink is inspired by its rusty color, which made Vollmer think of the skeleton keys that opened the locks in his grandparents house. This highball cocktail is a beautiful balance between bourbon, floral elderflower liqueur and spicy ginger beer. While it’s the perfect Halloween cocktail, we think it’s even more fun any time of the year! The ingredients for a Skeleton Key cocktail are:

• Bourbon
• St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• Lemon juice
• Ginger beer
• Angostura bitters

Tips for making the drink

Want to whip up a Skeleton key cocktail? Here are a few quick notes on this drink:

• It can be built in the glass! Any time we can get away without dirtying a cocktail shaker, we do it! This one is perfect for entertaining.
• Add the ginger beer right before serving. To preserve the bubbles, don’t mix in the ginger beer until right before serving.
• Generously shake in the bitters (and if desired, stir!). The fun part about this drink is the haze of bitters that hangs at the top of the drink. However, it tastes best when the bitters are integrated into the drink, so you may want to stir before drinking.

More about St Germain

This drink requires a bottle of St Germain elderflower liqueur, but it’s absolutely worth a purchase! This tasty liqueur is a favorite of ours that you can use to make a French Gimlet, Hugo, and these 10 Best St Germain Cocktail recipes.

• St Germain is a liqueur that’s made with elderflowers, the small white flowers of an elderberry plant. The flavor is light, sweetly floral, and fragrant. To pronounce it, say “Sahn-jer-MAHN”.
• Fun fact: it’s relatively new to the scene. St Germain was invented in 2007! The vintage-looking bottle makes it seem like it has hundreds of years of history, but a guy named Rob invented it in the 2007. (Here’s the story behind it.)
• How much does it cost? That beautiful bottle will set you back about $20 to $30.

Best ginger beer

There are lots of ginger ale brands on the market, but not all are created equal! We have a few favorites when it comes to ginger beer:

• Q Ginger Beer: This is our top choice! It comes in small cans so you only have to use a little at a time.
• Fever Tree Ginger Beer: Fever Tree is made with real ginger and has no artificial sweeteners.

More highball cocktail recipes

Love highball cocktails? These simple drinks are easy to build in the glass! Here are a few more long drinks we love:

• Try a Transfusion Drink
• Go for a Finnish Long Drink
• Opt for a classic Tom Collins Cocktail
• Make a Long Island Iced Tea, Screwdriver or Gin Rickey

01

Tom Collins Cocktail

02

Classic Transfusion Drink

03

Long Island Iced Tea

04

15 Essential Highball Cocktails

Skeleton Key Cocktail

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 3 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

The Skeleton Key cocktail is the ideal blend of bourbon, elderflower, and ginger beer! This fun drink is easy to mix up right in the glass.

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Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 to 5 ounce ginger beer
• 6 to 8 dashes Angostura bitters

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Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice (or clear ice). Pour in the bourbon, St Germain, and lemon juice. Top with the ginger beer.
2. Shake in 6 to 8 dashes Angostura bitters. Serve immediately.

• Category: Cocktail
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Skeleton key cocktail

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Looking for a spooky drink to impress? Try this Halloween Sangria! We are all about scary Halloween cocktails, and this one is a new favorite. Pair red wine with cinnamon sugar, fruit and sparkling cider for a tasty drink that everyone will love! The best part? Rim the glasses with DIY colored sugar and top with fun cocktail picks. The flavor is pure, bold, and lightly cinnamon spiced: and we’ve got two variations for a sweeter or more dry drink!

What you need for Halloween sangria

Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic version is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. Many American spins add loads of sugar to this drink, which is traditionally quite dry and nuanced. This Halloween sangria is in the style of the traditional Spanish drink, but we’ve got a variation that is a little sweeter for those who like sweeter drinks. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Apple
• Blood oranges
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Dry red wine, such as Rioja
• Sparkling cider (dry variation) or ginger ale (sweet variation)
• Ice, for serving
• Colored sugar and Halloween cocktail picks, for the garnish (optional)

How to make sangria…the Spanish way

This Halloween sangria method is inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and started many successful restaurants here in the US. Per Chef Andres, the “Spanish” way to make this wine punch this:

• Macerate fruit for 20 minutes: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and let it macerate or stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
• Add liquids: Add the red wine.
• Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
• Serve with bubbles. Traditional Spanish sangria uses soda water, but here you’ll add sparkling cider or ginger ale to the glass when serving!

Ways to customize the sweetness

Our addition to the Spanish sangria formula? When serving, mix the red wine mixture with sparkling apple cider or ginger ale. This sweetens the drink and adds bubbles! The sparkling apple cider makes for a dry flavor, whereas the ginger ale makes for a sweeter drink.

Another way to customize the sweetness? Use a fruity sweet red wine instead of a dry red wine.

Halloween sangria drink garnishes

The best part of this Halloween sangria? The drink garnishes! You can use the ones we’ve used here, or get creative with some of your own ideas. Here’s what we did:

• Make DIY colored sugar. A colored sugar rim makes the look! Use purchased sugar or go to our DIY colored sugar tutorial for instructions. We made both orange and purple for a festive look!
• Use an orange slice and festive cocktail picks. These Halloween cocktail picks (aka cupcake toppers) really set the tone! We used a blood orange slice to fasten our cocktail picks. If you can’t find them, a regular orange works just as well!

This Halloween sangria is perfect for parties because it makes a big pitcher to share. Try it out, or try a Halloween margarita pitcher if you’re a tequila lover!

More Halloween drinks

Want more ideas for spooky drinks? Here are a few Halloween cocktails we love:

• Opt for a Halloween Margarita
• Try this bright Witches Brew Drink
• Go for a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
• Make a cauldron of Halloween Punch

01

Halloween Margarita

02

Witches Brew Drink

03

Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail

04

Halloween Punch

This Halloween sangria recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Halloween Sangria

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Rest Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 8

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Description

This Halloween Sangria recipe is a spooky drink that’s ideal for parties! Whip up a pitcher to impress everyone.

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Ingredients

• 1 apple
• 2 blood oranges, plus 2 more for garnish
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 750 ml bottle dry red wine, such as Rioja
• 1 750 ml bottle sparkling cider (or ginger ale for a sweeter sangria)
• Ice, for serving
• For the garnish: colored sugar, Halloween cocktail picks (optional)

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Instructions

1. Thinly slice the apple and orange. Place them into a medium bowl and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Transfer to a large pitcher. Allow to stand for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Pour in the red wine. Stir and refrigerate for 1 hour, or as long as 4 hours. (Don’t go beyond 4 hours or the fruit texture starts to degrade.)
3. If desired, place colored sugar on a plate, wet the rims of the glasses, and dip them into the sugar (DIY or purchased; we made orange and purple).
4. To serve, fill a glass with ice. Fill halfway with sparkling apple cider, then halfway with red wine mixture (or you can pour them both together in a pitcher). Or, add the wine mixture to a glass and top off with ginger ale. 
5. Garnish with blood orange slices and Halloween cocktail picks. When you’ve polished off the sangria, you can snack on the sweetened fruit.

• Category: Drink
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Halloween sangria, Halloween sangria recipe

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