5 Fun Fall Cocktails - Start the season right!

Living in Wyoming, we all understand how important it is to soak in everyday that it isn’t snowing or 15 degrees below zero! As the kids head back to school and the hustle and chaotic bustle of summer comes to a halt, we all start to think about crisper temperatures, changing leaves,

and the slower pace of town as tourist season starts to peter out. For many the change of the season also signifies a change in mood and taste. No longer am I quite as drawn to fresh grilled vegetables or tangy citrus drinks. Now I want warm comfort foods and spicy and aromatic beverages. Today, to celebrate the change of the season and prepare myself for the inevitably gorgeous autumn days ahead, I thought I would put together a list of some great fall cocktails to start this fall off right.

Smokey Apple Cider Margaritas

Ingredients

1 1/2 - 2 ounces Patron Silver Tequila

4 ounces apple cider 1/2 cup

1-ounce fresh lime juice

1-2 teaspoons agave nectar or more to taste

cinnamon + granulated sugar + kosher salt for the rim

slices apple + cinnamon sticks for serving

Instructions

In a shallow bowl, mix equal parts, cinnamon sugar and salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and coat in salted cinnamon sugar.

Combine the Patron Silver Tequila, apple cider, lime juice and agave in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and then strain into your prepared glass. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Recipe & Photo Courtesy of the Half-Baked Harvest

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Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) Four Roses bourbon

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice

2 to 4 teaspoons maple syrup, to taste (I like 3 teaspoons, which is the equivalent of ½ ounce or 1 tablespoon)

Pinch of ground cinnamon, optional

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker or mason jar about two-thirds full with ice. Pour in the Four Roses bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Securely fasten the lid and shake well.

Pour fresh ice into your cocktail glass and strain the cold whiskey sour mixture into the glass. Enjoy!

Photo and Recipe Courtesy of Cookie + Kate

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Cranberry Thyme Gin & Tonic

Ingredients

3/4 cup fresh cranberries

1/4 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

Splash of orange juice

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Fresh English Thyme leaves

Hendricks Gin

Tonic of choice

Instructions

In a small saucepan, mix together the cranberries, sugar, water, splash of orange juice and vanilla extract. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, pressing the cranberries with the back of your spoon until they pop (beware--they'll splatter!). Add the fresh thyme and smash with the back of your spoon--this will release its aromatics. Note: The mixture should be much looser than traditional cranberry sauce. Pour the mixture through a strainer, discarding the solids, and reserving the cranberry syrup.

To assemble the cocktail, add about 1 fluid ounces of syrup to each glass. Top with a few cubes of ice, 2 fluid ounces of Hendricks gin and then top with tonic. Mix and garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme.

Photo and Recipe Courtesy of A Cozy Kitchen

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Spiked Apple Cider (w/ Vodka)

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Campari

1-ounce Green Apple Smirnoff vodka

3 ounces apple cider

orange peel garnish

ice

Instructions

Fill a standard rocks glass with ice, add the Campari, Green Apple Smirnoff vodka, and top off with 3 ounces of your favorite apple cider. Stir cocktail with a bar spoon. Express the oil from an orange peel onto the rim of the glass and garnish with an orange peel. Serve.

Photo & Recipe Courtesy of This Worthey Life

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Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients

2 large red apples -cored and sliced thin I used Honeycrisp apples

1 large orange - thinly sliced and quartered

1 Bartlett pear - cored and diced

1 cup frozen cranberries

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 cinnamon sticks

2 cups spiced apple cider

1 bottle Danzante Pinot Grigio or a Chardonnay

Ice

For garnish - cinnamon sticks star of anise pods

Instructions

Add the apples, orange, pear and cranberries to a large pitcher or wine decanter.

Place the cinnamon sticks on top of the fruit.

Add the lemon juice, white wine and spiced apple cider. Stir a few times.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before serving to allow all of the flavors to blend.

To serve, place 2-3 ice cubes into each glass and add the apple cider sangria. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star of anise pod.

Photo and Recipe Courtesy of Crafty Morning

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Written by: Alyx Raven Zgurich