NYC’s Most Festive Fall-Inspired Cocktails

As New York City says goodbye to the sweltering heat of summer, restaurants and bars throughout the city launch their autumn-inspired menus, which are always accompanied by seasonal libations.

From apple and cranberry to ginger and coffee, the flavors of the season meet their match with wines, ciders, bourbons and more.

So when you decide you’re over the classic pumpkin spice latte, here’s a roundup to help you find the perfectly spiced, warming drink substitution.

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The Campbell

Situated within Grand Central Terminal, The Campbell is a masterfully restored New York institution with a luxe, swanky atmosphere. Warm up with a coffee old fashioned with Suntori Toki Japanese whisky, coffee syrup and coffee bitters, garnished with a citrus twist.

The Flying Cock

A Murray Hill gastropub, The Flying Cock is a popular hotspot that offers a pretty epic boozy brunch. However, if you want to swing by for just the boozy part, you won’t be disappointed. Order the seasonally appropriate Pants On Fire, which is a mix of bourbon, root beer liqueur, cinnamon, angostura bitters and ginger beer.

Mr. Purple

On the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side is Mr. Purple, an ultra-chic rooftop bar and restaurant. Enjoy panoramic views of the city as you sip on The Blood and Sand, a stiff libation with Macallan 12 year scotch, vermouth, Cherry Heering and orange juice.

Loews Regency New York Hotel

Upscale, art deco inspired Loews Regency New York Hotel is featuring two fall cocktails that highlight favorite autumn flavors.

For a strong cocktail, check out the Autumn Old Fashion which incorporates orange, cranberry nectar, bourbon and Angostura bitters in a glass, then garnished with an orange peel and finished with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Interested in a sweet treat? Order the Baked Apple Pie cocktail. With muddled apple, cinnamon sugar syrup, mezcal, bourbon and cider, this cocktail is the ideal dessert substitution for a slice of apple pie.

If these two drinks don’t do it for you, take advantage of Flavor by Loews Hotels, a newly launched experience giving guests the chance to try out local flavors, by tasting one of the many Brooklyn Gin cocktails offered.

Dullboy Bar

If you're looking for something that feels seasonal without the usual coffee and pumpkin spice flavors that dominate October, check out The Bold & Smokey by Gabriel Rieben of Dullboy Bar in Jersey City.

With Paul John Bold Whisky, Stolen Smoked Rum, Gran Classico bitter liqueur and St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, it’s a fun twist on the typical brown spirit cocktail.

The Stanton Social

Known for chef-owner Chris Santos’ menu of eclectic tapas, The Stanton Social is offering the Fall to Pieces this autumn season. This libation has a nice tropical twist thanks to its splash of Coconut Oil Washed Monkey Spiced Rum and is accompanied by lime and cinnamon flavors.

SUGARCANE raw bar grill Brooklyn

Old Havana-inspired SUGARCANE raw bar grill in Brooklyn is offering a Tobacco Rum Old Fashioned with Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, maple syrup, Angostura bitters and homemade cigar bitters. Between the maple syrup and the tobacco-infused flavors, it’s akin to sitting next to a fireplace in Vermont.

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Hudson’s at Pier 81

Want to cozy up with a warm drink while admiring views of the Manhattan skyline? Take a seat aboard Hudson’s at Pier 81, a lounge and rooftop situated on a 3-story, 160 ft. yacht.

While cruising on the river, why not take in the unobstructed views of the city with a hot Hull of a Mulled Wine in hand? With spices, a hint of lemon and red wine, this beverage is all sorts of comforting.

Bar Moga

Bar Moga is a hip, newly opened “1920s Japanese cocktail bar,” that features Japanese-influenced libations in a retro, glam setting.

A fall specialty that can’t be missed? The Harvest Sour which is a potent concoction of lemon, applejack, rye whiskey, egg white and Angostura and Peychaud bitters.

Runner & Stone

Local favorite Runner & Stone is a neighborhood restaurant, bakery and bar in Brooklyn. If you find yourself in the Gowanus area, pop in and order the inventive Build Me Up Butternut with Old Overholt Rye, butternut squash syrup and allspice dram.

Saxon + Parole

The East Village’s Saxon + Parole is an equestrian-themed American eatery offering a menu full of meat-centric dishes in a lively atmosphere.

For a caffeinated cocktail to get your evening started, order the Take That, Dark & Storm. With espresso-infused rum, ginger beer, lime juice and candied ginger, it’s a sweet zinger of a cocktail.

P.S. Kitchen

Whisky and hearty autumn vegetables go hand in hand. Curious about how roots complement the spirit’s peaty notes? Then head to P.S. Kitchen, a vegan restaurant where 100 percent of profits go to charity, to try The XO.

This libation is made with smoked single malt whisky, fresh beet juice, orange juice, muddled raspberries and maple syrup.

Gloria

This Hell’s Kitchen locale is a cozy, contemporary restaurant dedicated to sustainable seafood plates. For a cocktail that showcases the herbal earthiness of a good gin, pair your meal with the Featherbottom. This libation combines gin, cardamaro, bonal and spruce, creating a minimally sweet, crisp drink.

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Mastro’s Steakhouse

In the mood for creamy, indulgent after dinner cocktails? Mastro’s Steakhouse is your best pick with two dessert-like cocktails to choose from.

The salted caramel martini features vodka, Gabriel Boudier liqueur de caramel and whipped cream served up with a sea salt rim. The espresso martini consists of Patron XO Café, Svedka vanilla vodka and fresh espresso shaken cold and served up.

Ai Fiori

Altamarea Group’s Ai Fiori is rolling out “Fall Fridays” this season. Every Friday, after 3 p.m., guests can come in and enjoy a NY Whisky Flight and select ciders and fall cocktails.

In addition, it’s offering Apple Cider Madeleines paired with Orchard Hill Cider Mill, Ten66 Red Label Pommeau.

The Late Late

Located in the Lower East Side, The Late Late is a retro, Irish-inspired pub that prides itself on being a “local” establishment. Start your night with an almost traditional Irish coffee with Irish whiskey, mezcal, espresso liqueur, whipped cream and Cadbury chocolate dust.

Want to stay in? Here are a handful of cocktails you can make in the comfort of your own home.

Baked Apple Old Fashioned

—2 oz - Stillhouse Apple Crisp Whiskey

—half oz - Brown Sugar Syrup

—2 Dashes - Angostura Bitters

—2 Dashes - Apple Bitters

Add Stillhouse Apple Crisp, brown sugar syrup, bitters and ice into a mixing glass. Stir until cold and diluted. Strain into a rocks glass with large format ice. Garnish with lemon peel.

The Great Maple Pumpkin

—1 and one half parts Sugar Island Spiced Rum

—1 part Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

—1 and one half part maple syrup

—1 Egg White

—1 parts Pedro Ximénez Sherry

—1 Spoonful Pumpkin Puree

—1 part Cream (or half and half)

Combine all ingredients and dry shake, add ice and shake again; strain in a lowball and garnish with pumpkin spice.