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The ultimate autumn cocktail line-up

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 16 Apr 2026

By
Amelia Ball

Holding a skewered cherry above the Black Manhattan

Rich and complex but still refreshing – these 28 recipes are perfect picks for when the weather cools.  

Even die-hard summer people surely appreciate the slow slide into autumn. The cooler mornings and evenings might require a few more layers, but the sunshiney days in between make it all worthwhile. And even though few things rival a balmy afternoon with a Spritz or two, the chance to return to richer drinks is always a welcome shift. 

When it comes to catch-ups at this time of year, it might be a cosy midweek dinner at home or a backyard hang to soak up the last of those warm afternoons. Whatever the occasion, you’ll need a versatile repertoire of drinks, and, for autumn, that means seasonal cocktails with a touch more depth – think layered, complex and gently spiced.      

Here, we’ve rounded up the best autumn cocktails to make at home, perfect for seeing you through the season (and beyond).

The best cocktails to make in autumn
4 MINS READ
1. Spicy Cosmo cocktail recipe
Sure, you can drink Cosmos year-round – just ask Carrie Bradshaw. But if you’re keen to tweak the OG, this spicy number is hard to beat. Vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice remain, with the addition of peach liqueur and hot sauce, creating a very moreish, complex twist. The Tajin glass rim (or side, if you get carried away like us) takes this to the next level.
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2. Mandarin Sour cocktail recipe
If we have to say goodbye to all those summer stone fruits, then you’d better believe we’re making the most of mandarins – one of the best fruits we get in autumn. Get the most of mandarin in this recipe by muddling it with its skin on, and then mix it up in a traditional Sour cocktail with Irish whiskey, egg white, sugar syrup and lemon juice for a frothy, sweet but tart crowd pleaser.
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3. Alcoholic Malt Matcha cocktail recipe
Even Maccas is in on the matcha act, but we’re going one better and heroing it in cocktails. This one was inspired by the Milo Matcha at Melbourne’s Suupaa, keeping that ’grammable creamy, frothy top, but adding Frangelico to the matcha base. It’s loaded with umami and complexity, but also has sweet malty goodness that hits the spot.
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4. Diablo Rojo cocktail recipe
Fans of savoury, spicy cocktails rejoice – this one has everything you want in a drink, and possibly something you didn’t know you needed. Bullhorn peppers are at the core of this cocktail, with a quick puree needed (it’s easy, don’t worry). This gets mixed with mezcal, lemon juice, agave syrup, paprika and Tabasco. Intrigued? It’s super tasty, in the best possible savoury, smoky, spicy way.
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5. Negroni Sour cocktail recipe
Sure, the classic Negroni is bang on for autumn, but we’re keeping things interesting with this Sour riff. A little brighter than the OG, this frothy remix benefits from some fresh orange juice in there, along with the all-important egg white for that texture, both creating a fresher take. This is what we’re making on those sunny afternoons that autumn does so well.
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6. Hot Honey Coco Daiquiri
Think spicy, creamy and tropical don’t mix? This unique twist on the Daiquiri might just change your mind. Spiced rum brings complexity, while hot honey delivers a subtle chilli kick, and lime juice and coconut cream balance it out. This is summery, but comforting, creamy and comforting, and just about perfect for any occasion.
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7. Salt & Vinegar Martini cocktail recipe
If you love a Dirty Martini, you’ll no doubt think they’re great year-round. But when cocktails are as savoury and moreish as this salt and vinegar number, they scream autumn to us. This Martini keeps things classic with your choice of vodka or gin with dry vermouth, but a super easy salt and vinegar seasoning brings depth and extra deliciousness. The chips as garnish also help.
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8. Black Manhattan cocktail recipe
How we got to the eigth cocktail before showcasing amaro, we’re not sure. In fact, they’re so herbal, complex and bloody delicious that we could instead list 28 amaros for peak autumn drinking. But if it’s a cocktail you’re after, this one brings seriously sophisticated vibes with its mix of amaro, rye whiskey and two types of bitters. In a classic coupe with a skewered cherry, this might just become your whole new autumn personality.
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9. Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned cocktail recipe
Imagine you could distil the flavours of a perfectly toasted marshmallow into a syrup and then put it in a cocktail. Well, we’ve done just that with this Old Fashioned riff, which swaps oaky vanillin bourbon for sweeter, richer aged rum. Then combined with bitters, you get even more candied-fruit decadence to the party. And it’s not complete without the ultimate garnish – a toasted marshmallow, of course.
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10. Bourbon Peach Iced Tea cocktail recipe
For many people, autumn means one thing: Masters season. This alcoholic peach iced tea gives a subtle nod to flavours of the American south, where this golf tournament is held, and it’s pitch perfect on sunny autumn afternoons. Peach schnapps and curacao bring the tang, carried by a rich undercurrent of black tea (make sure you brew it strong) and that smooth bourbon.
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11. Enzoni cocktail recipe
The Enzoni is the Negroni’s edgy half-sibling, swapping out the syrupy sweetness of vermouth for a bright twang in the form of freshly-muddled green grapes, which are just hitting the end of their season. The acid in the grapes and lemon cuts through the bittersweet Campari-gin combo like an electric guitar riff through a bassline, leaving your mouth watering in all the right ways.
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12. The Sticky Date cocktail recipe
The Sticky Date is every bit as rich and lavish as the dessert that inspired it. Sweet, spicy rum does a lot of the heavy lifting here, given a lift of butter and dried fruit thanks to the butterscotch schnapps and date syrup. It’s in the cocktail’s decadent, creamy texture – and its whipped cream garnish topped with cinnamon sugar – that its true indulgence lies.
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13. Snake Eyes cocktail recipe
Mezcal, which has all the freshness of tequila mixed with the signature smokiness of the roasted agave used to make this Mexican spirit, is very much suited to autumn. This is especially evident in the delightfully tropical Snake Eyes, which is bright enough for a warmer day but, thanks to the intermingling of smoky mezcal, fresh lime and sweet banana liqueur, complex enough to suit just about any occasion.
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14. Spiced Autumn Highball cocktail recipe
For a seasonal spin on the traditional Japanese Highball, this cocktail pretty much nails it. We’re talking about warm notes from the whisky as well as from the addition of fino sherry, while a citrusy hit from mandarin and herbal notes from thyme round it all out. A versatile drink, this is an ideal light sipper before or after dinner, and the perfect cocktail to enjoy by the fire with good friends.
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15. Umami Old Fashioned cocktail recipe
We’re mad for umami – that fifth basic savoury taste – and we love it in pretty much everything, so we’ve given the classic Old Fashioned a salty kick, thanks to a dash of soy sauce. Yep, the humble pantry staple plays a key role here, joining forces with maple syrup, dark rum and Amontillado sherry. The result is one of the most complex and moreish aperitif cocktails we know.
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16. Pistachio Maple Martini cocktail recipe
Smooth, sweet and nutty, this indulgent cocktail showcases pistachios at their best, thanks to that most superior nut butter, Pistachio Papi. Enriched with maple syrup, Cognac, gin and zingy lemon, this creamy cocktail brings together some big flavours to create the ultimate dessert in a glass. Whip up one of these for everyone after your next big meal and prepare for the adulation to come your way.
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17. Gold Rush cocktail recipe
The Whiskey Sour is about as perfect – and simple – as a classic cocktail gets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still give it a subtle twist every now and then. And one of the best twists, in our opinion, is the Gold Rush, which heroes bourbon and swaps the usual sugar syrup with honey syrup (it’s easy – mix two-parts honey to one-part boiling water, and that’s it!). The result is sweet, tangy three-ingredient autumnal cracker.
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18. Lost Plane cocktail recipe
Made with equal parts rum, Aperol, amaro and fresh lemon juice, our recipe for this rich and vibrant cocktail comes together with a little sugar syrup, although not everyone includes the dash of sweetness. Either way, this cocktail delivers some deep, warming and complex flavours that are bang on for autumn. And it’s a tricky one to mess up, with just a quick shake and strain into a glass (we love it in a coupe).
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19. Sumo in a Sidecar cocktail recipe
Smooth, zesty and with a touch of sour, the Sumo in a Sidecar puts a twist on the traditional Sidecar cocktail with both sake and apricot liqueur. The sake keeps things fresh and light, and we think a junmai ginjo ensures this drink is dry, crisp and balanced. With just three ingredients – and interesting ones, at that – this is a great pick for when friends pop over as it’s something different and oh-so easy to make.
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20. Danhattan cocktail recipe
We couldn’t resist putting our own twist (and name) on the classic Manhattan, so we enlisted the help of Melbourne drinks master Dan Docherty to do just that (it was a popular order at our pop-up Dan’s Diner at MFWF 2024). Here, the Manhattan’s rye whiskey and sweet vermouth make way for Aussie-made expressions, but with the addition of a local macadamia liqueur and the all-important bitters that ties this drink together.
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21. Whiskey Sour cocktail recipe
We know we already included a riff on this classic (see #9), but purists will argue that you shouldn’t tweak recipes until you perfect the OG. So, with that in mind, we bring you the timeless Whiskey Sour. This is a fine, frothy balance of whiskey, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white (or aquafaba, if that doesn’t appeal). The trick is in giving it a good shake without ice before adding cubes to bring it all home.
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22. Fireball Smash cocktail recipe
If you’ve only ever seen the much-loved cinnamon whiskey Fireball served up in a shot glass, you’re in for a treat with this enticing cocktail. Here, lemon juice cuts through the sweetness of the spirit, while maraschino liqueur, sugar syrup and mint leaves join the party to add complexity and freshen things up – all while still letting Fireball’s warming spiced notes shine. Think of it as a cinnamony, citrusy, cherry smash. Delish!
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23. Clarified Piña Colada cocktail recipe
The Piña Colada might scream summer, but this clarified version was made for autumn. And never fear – you don’t need a science degree to clarify cocktails; it’s not as tricky as it sounds. Plus, cooler weekends are ideal for a little home project. Clarifying turns this cocktail from a creamy resort fave into a silky smooth, sophisticated sipper. Brilliant for cosy evenings with friends, the extra effort will make it taste even better.
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24. Cable Car cocktail recipe
The cinnamon-sugared glass rim of this modern classic was enough to win us over, but its mix of spiced rum, orange curacao, sugar syrup and lemon juice takes it to the next level. This is a modern classic, although, having been created in the ’90s, that probably makes this vintage by now. Expect sour and subtly sweet in a combo that manages to fuse contrasting flavours in the most delicious way.
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25. Mexican Mule cocktail recipe
This list continues to prove that, sometimes, the simplest cocktails really are the best. The Mexican Mule – a tequila detour from the age-old Moscow Mule – is another three-ingredient winner, with the bold, spicy kick of ginger beer bringing depth to the grassy tequila and the addition of lime juice rounding it all out. This cocktail is just as refreshing in the peak of summer, but we love its gingery goodness any time.
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26. Melon Apple Fizz cocktail recipe
Midori will always trigger a little nostalgia for us, but when put to use in creative cocktails like this, it more than proves its place in our bar carts. Almost fluorescent, the Melon Apple Fizz turns up the dial on Midori’s signature flavours, combined with tequila’s citrus, peppered notes, and it’s finished with cloudy apple juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda, creating bright and fizzy refreshment.
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27. Imperial Cantarito cocktail recipe
We already included the Mandarin Sour, but one mandarin cocktail is never enough, so we had to include this tequila-based recipe, too. Apart from a little prep ahead of time to make an easy mandarin syrup (it’s just mandarin juice and sugar), this is a simple cocktail to make at home. Combining tequila, syrup and lime soda, or just soda and fresh lime juice, and paired with a salt rim, this is sweet and fruity, but with a little bite.
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28. Pisco Sour cocktail recipe
The Pisco Sour is another take on the classic Sour cocktail we know and love, but with the unique flavours from the South American grape brandy. Sticking to the tried-and-tested Sour format of citrus juice, sugar and spirit, and, in this case, egg white, too – or aquafaba to make it vegan – the Pisco Sour is a cinch to make. It also makes a great circuit-breaker from your usual repertoire if you’re newer to pisco.
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our complete collection of recipes, which are all written and tested by experts. 
Authour image
Amelia BallAmelia Ball is a journalist, editor and former Editorial Director of Halliday Wine Companion, who specialises in drinks, food and travel.
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CocktailsWhisk(e)yGinSweetWinterFruityEasyLiqueursMezcalSummerSour'Best of' lists
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