These cocktails are perfect for fall entertaining since they are rich with traditional autumnal flavors such as nutmeg, apple and pumpkin. These drinks are a perfect excuse for inviting some friends over on a cool fall night. Whip up some warm comfort food like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, light the fire and enjoy the pleasure of being warm and cozy on a cold evening.

Cheers!

Smashing Pumpkin

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

1 oz. pumpkin puree

3 segments of tangerine with peel

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

1/2 oz. brown sugar simple syrup

nutmeg for garnish

Directions:

First, make brown sugar simple syrup by mixing two parts brown sugar with one part water. Bring to a boil and then let cool down before mixing into drink. Once the sugar has cooled, muddle it with the tangerine pieces in a glass. Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake and pour into glass. Garnish with nutmeg.

Created by lead bartender Robert Leavey from The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

We recommend iittala's Ultima Cocktail glass to serve this drink.

Bourbon Cider

Ingredients:

1 tsp to 1 tbsp sugar

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

4 1/2 oz. dry hard cider

maraschino cherry and orange slice, for garnish

Directions:

In a champagne glass, stir together the sugar and the bitters until the sugar dissolves. Add Maker's Mark bourbon. Top with cold cider. Garnish with a cherry and slice of orange.

Created by Anthony Caporale, Art of the Drink host.

iittala's Aarne Champagne Glass is perfectly stylish.

Give these drinks a try then let DidiRIks know if you liked them by leaving a comment on the blog.