Post-Daylight Savings (and post-election) seems an appropriate time to hunker down with something autumnal to sip. Boston bartenders have just the drinks to warm your soul in the early evening darkness. Turn to the bar wizards at restaurants around town for sweater weather-worthy concoctions that make the most of seasonal flavors in shades of brown, orange, red and gold.
Alden & Harlow –
Take on the shortening days with something a little sweet and a little bitter with a little spice. Alden & Harlow’s Piedmont Tussle lays a bourbon base then adds dark vermouth, Punt e Mes, tart grapefruit and autumn spice – cardamom and cinnamon – for a complex and tasty cocktail.
The Bancroft –
Get a little toasty at The Bancroft with their smoky take on a Tiki classic. Their Toasted Mai Tai mixes Privateer rum with orange curacao then adds island favorites almond orgeat and allspice dram. The “toasted” comes from the orgeat, which is smoked for depths of flavor.
Henrietta’s Table –
Over in Harvard Square, the Henrietta’s Table bar team turns to a favorite fall pairing for their Cinnamon Apple Cider Martini. The drink features vodka, house-infused with apples and cinnamon, plus apple cider, triple sec, whiskey barrel-aged bitters and a sweet cinnamon-sugar rim as the finishing touch.
Mooo –
The aptly named Harvest Moon Manhattan at Mooo… showcases fall tastes like earl grey tea syrup and walnut bitters. Bitter and earthy Amaro Averna joins with Berkshire Mountain bourbon for a red-hued take on the classic stirred, dark drink.
Scampo –
Not nearly as well-known as the apple – but just as tasty – quince makes an appearance on the Scampo beverage menu with the Autumn’s Quince Gin Fizz. Egg white gives the gin and lemon drink a creamy froth, topped with a bite of quince.
State Street Provisions –
State Street Provisions flips for fall. Their luxurious Lucano Flip shakes egg with Italian liqueur Amaro Lucano and warming chai tea syrup. The decadent drink is topped with grated nutmeg for a final autumnal spice touch.
Teatro –
Get wise to the season with Teatro’s Sage Spritz. The downtown beverage team infuses Bombay Dry gin with the earthy herb, then combines it with Lillet Rouge, grapefruit bitters and Prosecco for an effervescent sipper that balances savory and tart tastes.
Tavern Road –
The Zio Adio at Tavern Road features a medley of creative flavors indicative of the season. A trio of aromatic Italian liquors play nice, blending herbal Fernet with orange-y Aperol and Carpano Bianco vermouth. Hibiscus and pineapple bring floral and fruity accents while garam masala adds savory spice notes.
Trade –
Trade taps into bold flavors for an autumnal beer-tail. Bulleit Rye is bolstered by a splash of Wormtown IPA and tempered by a touch of honey in The Smoky Tap.
Waypoint –
Waypoint elevates root vegetables – and the standard gin and tonic – with one of their house originals, the High Altitude. Gin serves as the base spirit, which is mixed with fresh carrot, autumnal herbed cranberries, lemon and Argentinian tonic.
Woods Hill Table –
The drink pros at Woods Hill Table switch up their seasonal palate with a dark-hued drink. The Black Currant Cup gets a little bit of funk from black currant kombucha, blended with Pimms No. 1 and organic lime juice – making it a crushable cocktail for the brunch table.
Belly up to the bar at the above spots to raise your spirits as the daylight wanes and settle in to heartier autumnal tastes.
