Cheers to autumn! As early fall colors and crispness take hold, here are three cocktail recipes to help you savor this fleeting golden season. Pairing ideas follow each recipe, but a simple cheese board would also be great with each cocktail.
1. EASY PEASY: APPLE-PROSECCO SPRITZ
- 2 ounces cider (non-alcoholic or hard)
- Prosecco
- Cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish
- (Other optional additions: a little Aperol and/or soda water)
Pour the cider into a coupe, flute, or stemless wine glass. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or apple slices.
PAIRINGS: Easy Baked Brie, with crackers, jam, and walnuts or Trader Joe’s Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions.
2. SIMPLE AND ELEGANT: SMUGNUN ESPRESSO MARTINI
- 1 ounce Smuggling Nun Irish Poitín
- 1 ounce coffee or espresso liqueur
- 1 ounce cold brew or cold espresso
- Espresso beans for garnish (optional)
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and shake vigorously until icy cold. Then, strain it into a martini glass.
PAIRINGS: Farmer’s market tomatoes in a simple salad or bruschetta, biscotti, or a slice of cheesecake.
2. ELEVATED MIXOLOGY: FIG OLD FASHIONED
Make ahead fig simple syrup:
- 2 cups sliced, dried figs
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- Splash of vodka
Add figs, water, sugar, and lemon to a saucepan and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Let cool for one hour, then strain the figs and stir in the vanilla and vodka. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
To make the cocktail:
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye
- ½ ounce fig syrup (above)
- 2-3 dashes of orange and fig bitters
- Expressed orange peel—and fresh figs, if you have them for garnish.
Pour the liquor, syrup, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass that contains one oversized ice cube.
PAIRINGS: Smashburger sliders with caramelized onion on Hawaiian rolls, pigs in a blanket, or steamed soup dumplings.
What is your favorite fall cocktail and food pairing?
Maura Clare is the creator-founder of award-winning Smuggling Nun Poitín, a premium Irish liquor that she distills in County Down and imports to the U.S. Maura lives in Fairfield County and also spends time in her “homes-away-from-home,” Colorado and Ireland.
