Fall Cocktails: Which Are Worth Trying?
Every so often during the fall season you might see an article online titled something like “25 Most Popular Fall Drinks” or “Best Fall Cocktail Recipes” and I’m surely not the only one who has wondered if they are actually any good. The proclamations of rival blogs on the quality of these beverages was intriguing to say the least, and it was about time that somebody tested the authenticity of their articles.
Almost every quality drink adheres to the Golden Ratio of cocktail making, which is put simply 2:1:1. That is two parts alcohol, one part sweet, and one part sour. Sweet or sour can come in a variety of different flavors, but typically boil down to a simple syrup and some type of fruit juice. Variance between drinks might include extra ingredients to create foam or fragrance; often, drinks are topped with sodas and stylish garnishes. All of these options are acceptable twists to put on any given beverage, as long as the Golden Ratio is maintained. Significant departures from the ratio, found in recipes online, should be met with a healthy level of skepticism as they tend to fall short in terms of flavor. Occasionally something will surprise you, but we will see if any of these fall cocktails are up to the challenge.
Apple Cider Old Fashioned
- 2 oz Whiskey
- ⅔ cup Apple Cider
- 2 dashes Bitters
- Cinnamon Sticks and Apple Slices for garnish
This recipe is as simple as making a drink gets, with only two ingredients and a splash of bitters. Simplicity is typical of old fashioneds, but that simplicity typically comes through following the Golden Ratio. The 3:1 ratio of juice to spirits suggested by this recipe was a bit off putting. Skepticism aside, I proceeded through the recipe as directed, save for the garnishes, which I replaced with a more classic orange rind and cherry. As suspected, the drink was overly sweet, tasting solely of apple cider. The overpowering nature of the cider meant that the bitters were not a very noticeable addition to the drink. If making this again, I would reduce the quantity of apple cider to 2-4 oz to create a more balanced flavor.
Spicy Pomegranate Paloma
- ¼ cup Pomegranate Juice
- ¼ cup Grapefruit Juice
- ½ Lime of Juice
- 2 oz Tequila
- 2-4 Tbsp Spicy Ginger Syrup
- Topped with Ginger Beer
Spicy Ginger Syrup:
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Honey
- 1 (3 in) piece Ginger
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 8 Mint Leaves
This recipe was a bit more involved than the others, but well worth the effort. The bitterness of the grapefruit juice paired well with the tartness of the pomegranate and lime. The spicy ginger and mint syrup also added a significant level of flavor to the drink and was not difficult to make. I halved the amount of cayenne pepper to ¼ tsp for the syrup, as to not make the drink overly spicy, and found that this was a good level. With the recommended ½ tsp, a much spicier drink would have been born. Although this recipe departed somewhat from the Golden Ratio, the flavors still felt well balanced, and the drink did not end up being excessively sweet as is common.
Amaretto Sour
- 1 ½ oz Bourbon
- ¾ oz Amaretto
- ¾ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Egg White, whisked
- 2 dashes Bitters
- Lemon Rind and Cherries for garnish
I was most interested in trying this recipe due to its enticing foamy look and the enjoyable almondy fragrance of Amaretto, but that expectation only led to an elevated sense of disappointment. Perhaps if made with a sweeter amaretto, this would have been better, but in my experience the resulting product was quite bitter. The tartness of the lemon juice felt overpowered by the alcohol mixture, and there was not enough sugar in the drink to create an enjoyable foam layer, however appealing it looked aesthetically. If making this again, significant changes would be in order. Firstly, balancing the alcohols with 1 oz Bourbon, 1 oz Amaretto, then increasing the sourness with 1 oz Lemon Juice, and bringing up the sweetness with 1 oz Simple Syrup.
Cranberry Whiskey Sour
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Ginger Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
- Orange Rind for garnish
Ginger Syrup:
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 (3 in) piece Ginger
The flavors of this drink blended together very nicely. The cranberry juice provided a pleasant level of sourness, melding perfectly with the bourbon. The ginger simple syrup added a slight spice to the beverage that was as enjoyable as it was easy to make. Out of all the drinks, this one certainly felt the most seasonal of the bunch. The orange rind and candied ginger were both nice touches for garnishes, adding a great deal of fragrance to the beverage.
Apple Cider Sangria
- 1 Granny Smith Apple, sliced
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 Orange, sliced
- 1 can Ginger Beer
- 1 Bottle White Wine
- 2 cups Apple Cider
- ½ cup Brandy (optional)
This was an easy pitcher to make, and it would fit right in at any fall party. Once the ingredients have sat together for at least an hour, the flavors of the fruit meld nicely with the white wine and cider, making for a refreshing, sweet and citrusy beverage that is pleasantly reminiscent of the fall season. For an extra boozy version you can add ½ cup of brandy to the mix, and the apple slices will soak some of it up, satisfying anybody who enjoys snacking on the garnishes of their cocktails.
Are They Worth Trying?
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