Photo: Amir Shafii
Whether you’re looking to mix things up with a signature cocktail at your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner or just looking for a seasonal sip to enjoy on a cozy night at home, you’ll want to check out this roundup of autumn-inspired cocktail recipes. The mixologists at Código 1530 Tequila and NOLET’S Gin have created these drinks that mix in seasonal flavors and are dressed up with glass rim treatments and a variety of garnishes to help tequila and gin fans keep things interesting.
Pumpkin Spice Margarita
1.5 oz. Código 1530 Reposado Tequila
1 spoonful pumpkin purée
0.5 oz. cinnamon syrup
1 oz. lemon juice
maple syrup, for rimming glass
pie crust mix, for rimming glass (see Note)
apple slices, for garnish
First, dip the rim of the glass in maple syrup and then pie crust mix (or spice mix). Shake Código, pumpkin purée, cinnamon syrup and lemon juice andstrain over fresh ice. Garnish with apple slices.
Note: Alternately, if you don’t have pie crust mix, you could use pumpkin pie spice mix.
Photo: Amir Shafii
Cranberry Fiesta
2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
1.5 oz. cranberry juice
0.5 oz. lime juice
3 oz. soda water
Shake Rosa, cranberry juice, lime juice and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Fill with soda water.
Photo: Amir Shafii
Ginger Blanco
2 oz. Código 1530 Blanco Tequila
0.75 oz. maple syrup
1 oz. lemon juice
4 oz. ginger beer
Shake Blanco, maple syrup, and lemon juice and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Fill with ginger beer.
NOLET’S Gin
Thanksgiving Gin and Soda
1.5 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
soda, to top
frozen cranberries
dehydrated orange wheel
anise, cinnamon stick, sprig of juniper, cloves, and juniper berries, to garnish
Pour NOLET’S Silver over ice, top with soda water, and garnish.
NOLET’S Gin
Apple Cider Punch
1 (750 ml) bottle NOLET’S Silver Dry Gin
2.25 L fresh apple cider
2 whole lemons, juiced
lemon wheels
green apple wheels, for garnish
cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with a large ice block. Stir well to combine. Serve over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a thin slice of green apple and cinnamon stick.
NOLET’S Gin
Apple Cider Fizz
2 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
1 oz. apple cider
0.5 oz. lemon juice
dash of cinnamon
0.25 heavy cream (or sub with unsweetened almond milk)
1 egg white (or 1.5 oz. aquafaba)
1.5 oz. club soda, to top
For the Glass Rim
¼ cup demerara sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
lemon wedge
Prepare the glass by combining the demerara sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Moisten the rim of the glass with a wedge of lemon, and dip into sugar mixture, turning to distribute evenly.
Combine all ingredients but the club soda in a mixing tin without ice. Shake vigorously for about a minute (seriously), add ice, and continue to shake until the outside of the tin frosts up and the liquid inside is cold and frothy. Strain into the sugar-rimmed glass, leaving a little room for soda. Gently pour soda in and spoon remaining froth on top, then garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Thirsty for More?
Check out these recipes I have also highlighted on this site:
Paradis Cocktail and Autumn Wassail
While the kids may still have their fun-size treats, the grown-ups can raise a glass with cocktails that mix in these flavors of the season.
