Hope you had your fill of bike rides and beach days, ‘cause summer is definitely over – it’s finally fall! Cooler temps and crisper days mean harvest season flavors (think: apple, pear, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg) are making their annual debuts on cocktail lists across the city. Peep the collection to see how local watering holes are celebrating the start of sweater weather and get yourself into an autumnal state of mind with some tasty drinks.
Althea – Pear-ly Dead & Pumpkin Drublic
If you’re more into a graveyard stroll this time of year than a hay ride, check out a pair of autumn tipplers that’ll get you geared up for the spooky season. The Pear-ly Dead, made with chai infused Four Roses bourbon, hits all the seasonal notes with ginger juice, lemon and roasted pear syrup. If you’re looking for something a little more on the gourd-y side, go for a Pumpkin Drublic made with rum, roasted pumpkin, lemon, Montenegro to get your harvest juices flowing.
Amba – Spiced Pomegranate Lemonade
The East Cambridge crew at Amba knows all about those early fall days when there’s a chill in the morning but it’s summery hot in the afternoon, so they’ve come up with the Spiced Pomegranate Lemonade to help you sip your way between the seasons. Made with sweet pomegranate juice, warm cinnamon and bright lemon, you can feel refreshed anytime this season — and they’ll even make it boozy with a splash of vodka if you’re feeling a little extra spicy.
Bar Pallino – Dulce de Calabaza
The peeps at Bar Pallino, little sister and downstairs neighbor Faccia a Faccia, knows that tequila can do it all — even fall, which is why they’re mixing up Tequila Ocho Añejo, honey pumpkin + cinnamon to make their Dulce de Calabaza. Stop by next time you’re window shopping for your new autumn wardrobe on Newbury Street for a sip. They come garnished with a traditional Mexican pumpkin candy and they’re the perfect sweet finish to a stroll in the Back Bay.
Casa Verde – Spice World
When you’re feelin’ sad and low, JP’s Casa Verde is where you gotta go to get a Spice World cocktail made with arbol chili-infused blanco tequila, lime leaf cordial, guava, lime and ginger. Whether you’re feeling Posh, Scary, or Sporty, this little concoction will definitely spice up your life.
Citrus & Salt – Forbidden Fall Marg
Let the masses line up for pumpkin spice drinks — you, my friend, have some tequila to sip at Citrus & Salt. Their Forbidden Fall Margarita, made with Patron, cider, cinnamon, lime, and a fall spice rim will get you in the mood for apple picking, or pumpkin carving — whatever floats your boat.
Five Horses Tavern – Apple Cider Spitz
Get the warm hug of spiced cider without all the heat with Five Horses Tavern’s Apple Cider Spritz. The South End and Somerville watering holes are stirring up vanilla vodka with apple cider, spiced simple syrup, and a splash of Prosecco for some bubbly fun this fall that’s a lot easier going down than a day of apple picking.
Garrison House – Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
Don’t let the PSL haters sway you — pumpkin spice is delicious in everything, and The Garrison House in Brookline has even worked it into an espresso martini so you can switch from your breakfast bevvie to night time drinks without missing a beat. Their Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini is made with Graingers Deluxe Vanilla Vodka, Irish cream, house-made pumpkin spice syrup and 2 ounces of cold brew, creating a creamy, dreamy mix of coffee and fall flavors.
The Hourly – Dark Paradise
If the earlier sunsets and shorter days are getting you down, get over to Harvard Square and belly up to the bar at The Hourly for a Dark Paradise. Made with Grand Ten Medford Rum, allspice, demerara and caramelized pineapple, it’s like a boozy little beacon of hope to brighten your day.
Loco South Boston – Frozen Pumpkin Espresso
You can enjoy the best of both worlds – whatever the weather – with the Frozen Pumpkin Espresso at Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. Warming fall flavors get a slushy, summery twist (and a bit of caffeine) in this season-bridging combination of Bacardi, Rumchata Pumpkin, Coffee Liqueur and Cold Brew. Get over to Southie for a bit of autumnal brain freeze before the temps dip for real.
The Longfellow Bar – Getaway Car
Taylor Swift says that “nothin’ good starts in a getaway car,” but the team at The Longfellow Bar in Cambridge begs to differ. Check out their Getaway Car, a tasty sipper made with Clarified Pear, Del Maguey Vida De Muertos mezcal, Palo Santo, turmeric-infused dry curaçao, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, citric acid and Peychaud’s. It’ll turn any autumn afternoon into a stylish eras-esque adventure.
The Merchant – Whiskey Wannabe
Fall is all about a proper whiskey cocktail that’s warm and comforting, kind of like The Merchant’s Whiskey Wannabe. Made with bourbon, cinnamon, nutmeg, passionfruit, maple syrup and lemon, it’s the perfect way to wind down after a day of raking leaves or putting out some pumpkins on the stoop.
Moona – Urfacado
If you happen to be on a foliage walk through Cambridge, pop into Moona for a taste of their Urfacado cocktail. Made with smoky mezcal, avocado, Ancho Reyes, Urfa and lime, it’ll be the perfect pick-me-up to carry you through a day of crunching through leaf piles and snapping social pics with the hashtag #foliage.
Northern Spy – Hot Mulled Apple Cider
It’s really not fall until you’ve wrapped your hands around a mug of Hot Mulled Apple Cider at Northern Spy in Canton — after all, the place shares a name with one of the world’s most iconic, heirloom cider apples. Their version blends warm mulling spices with fresh-pressed cider and a dash of apple brandy to make every visit to the historic Revere Copper Mill a memorable one this season.
Novara – First Frost
It’s going to happen any day now — the first frost — but you can warm right up at Novara with their seasonal sipper of the same name. Cover up your porch plants and head to Milton for a mixture of Star & Key Single Cask rum, falernum, orgeat, lemon, pineapple and bitters. First Frost will give you a bit of an island vibe right when you need a boost to break down the garden beds for the season.
OAK Long Bar + Kitchen – Pie in the Sky
The crew at Oak Long Bar + Kitchen at the Fairmont Copley Plaza invites you to add an element of philanthropy to their fall sipping with their Pie in the Sky cocktail. This lovely combination of Tito’s Vodka, St George Spiced Pear, pumpkin purée, maple syrup and milk tastes like pumpkin pie in the glass. Pop in before the end of November to try it and they’ll donate $1 for each order to Community Servings, in support of their mission to provide meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Pammy’s – House of the Three Woodlarks
Named for the historical Czech home where Becherovka was created, House of the Three Woodlarks is Pammy’s fabulous fall offering made with Russell’s Reserve 6yr Rye, Brown Butter, Becherovka and Pecan-Chicory Bitters. If you’re into amaros and other herbal, bitter flavors in need of a fall-go to, head to Cambridge because this is the one!
Post 1917 – Post PSL
If you could squeeze the whole season of fall into a martini glass, you’d get the Post PSL at Reading’s Post 1917. Made with vanilla vodka, cold brew concentrate, heavy cream, pumpkin spiced whipped cream made with Pimento Dram Allspice liqueur, and apple cider demerara, it covers all the autumn flavors you crave — with a little kick of caffeine to boot!
Prairie Fire – Disappearing Act
Don’t be sad that the days are getting shorter this season, celebrate the sun’s vacation instead with a Disappearing Act at Prairie Fire in Brookline. Their elegant coupe is a mix of house-infused cardamom gin, Pear Eau de Vieand lemon, which will warm you up like a cozy wool sweater on the first day of school.
The Smoke Shop – Sweater Weather
Autumn is whiskey’s time to shine, and The Smoke Shop’s got plenty to go around, including inside of their Sweater Weather cocktail made with Keeper’s Heart whiskey, apple, caramel and cinnamon. It’s one of those “warm you from the inside” kinds of drinks, so while you might be bundled up when you arrive (you can get the drink at the Seaport, Assembly Row and Harvard Square), be sure to wear some short sleeves under wool getup so you can shed a layer or two later.
Sogno – Vesuvius
Forget the sticky sweet ciders and PSLs this season — go for a Vesuvius martini at Sogno instead. They’re made with vodka, pepperoncini juice, a splash of tomato, and garnished with a garlic & herb stuffed pepperazzi, which will keep the chill at bay when the temps start to dip outside.
Steel & Rye – Across the Bog
If crisp, cool air gets you in the mood for bright, tart flavors, get yourself to Steel & Rye in Milton for an Across the Bog. Made with vodka, Bogg cranberry liqueur, cinnamon, lemon, gomme and angostura bitters, it’s a vibrant and delicious ways to enjoy New England fall flavors.
Talulla – Lawson
Level up from spiced cider to the Lawson at Talulla, the pocket-sized Cambridge restaurant from chef Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer. This Cognac-based cocktail has a splash of Oloroso Sherry mixed with apple chai and lemon to create an elegant concoction that’ll ease you out of summertime and right into fireplace season.
Tip Tap Room – Hello Gourdgeous
Decorative gourd season is going to taste extra good this year in Beacon Hill with a stop at the Tip Tap Room for a Hello Gourdgeous. Their take on a PSL martini is made with house-infused vanilla vodka, espresso liquor, cold brew coffee, spiced fall syrup and a pumpkin spiced cold foam with some grated nutmeg on top, and it’s the perfect pop before a show at TD Garden so you can dance the night away without turning into a pumpkin.
Ward 8 – Goblin’s Cup
Even mythical creatures like to kick back with a well-made cocktail this time of year, and you can drink like an underworld king for the fall with Ward 8’s Goblin’s Cup. This North-End-adjacent spot’s fae-bulous sipper is made with rye, Aperol, spiced plum, jerk bitters and cider, which is just right for clinking glasses with your whole Gob (that’s a group of goblins in D&D, btw).