5 Cozy Fall Cocktail Recipes from Boston Bartenders

By Eric Twardzik · 10/15/2020

We have nothing against pumpkin beer, but we much prefer to sip on a rich, warming cocktail come autumn. Whether made with robust spirits like Cognac or apple brandy, spiced modifiers like pimento dram, or homemade ingredients like Concord grape syrup or apple compote, the following drink recipes from Boston bars and restaurants capture that crisp fall feeling—without pumpkin-anything in sight.

Concord Hymn
Who says that spritz season has to end with summer? Certainly not Toro, which mixes up this pre-dinner dram with gin, Spanish vermouth, Concord grape syrup, and a splash of bubbly cava. Bonus: The grape syrup makes a great addition to tasty non-alcoholic drinks, too.

Una Pimenta
This spin on the Sidecar from SRV eschews Cointreau in favor of a Jamaican pimento dram and an Italian bianco vermouth, both of which are chock-full of warming spices. A dash of apricot bitters and a demerara sugar rim provide the metaphorical icing on the cake. Lemon juice, of course, provides tartness and helps to bind the ingredients together.

Apple of My Pie
This drink recipe comes from Straight Law, the cocktail bar inside Taberna de Haro. Apple of My Pie is a sherry cobbler-inspired blend that mixes palo cortado with a whisky aged in sherry casks, lemon juice, orgeat, and a homemade apple compote. (The latter is easy to make at home with Granny Smith apples, sugar, and cinnamon.) If you’ve ever wanted to drink an apple pie, this one’s for you.

Lumberjack Rabbit
A little maple syrup can push any drink into autumnal territory, but the team at Café du Pays (now Vincent’s Corner Grocery) got extra creative when they created the Lumberjack Rabbit. This twist on a classic Jack Rabbit includes maple syrup, apple brandy, lemon and orange juices, and just a touch of smoky mezcal. Bonus: You can now order it via takeout from Vincent’s.

Appleseed Lane
Bambara Kitchen & Bar’s Appleseed Lane is an autumnal twist on the Suffering Bastard, a potent tiki classic. This fall weather-variation swaps out bourbon for Cognac and the traditional tiki syrups for allspice dram and Licor 43. It also features an apple shrub that you can easily replicate at home.

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