Persimmon Sour

When incorporating persimmons into seasonal cocktails, the first step is to make a purée. This slightly thick, bright orange liquid that has notes of sweet earthiness. To bring a little punch to the cocktail, I added lime and gin to create a persimmon sour. The final cocktail is a bold, orange-hued drink that is at first sour, then earthy and rich. It's the kind of drink that will keep you on your toes.

The Pan American Clipper

Originally from Charles H. Baker's The Gentleman's Companion and adapted by Erik Adkins from Heaven's Dog in San Francisco for the new book, A Taste for Absinthe, the Pan American Clipper is rich with the flavors of apple brandy and pomegranate syrup. A perfect drink for an autumn weekend.

Harvest Moon

"When we get to this season," says PDT's Jim Meehan, we switch from white spirits like tequila or white rum to brown ones like rye, and move toward stirred cocktails instead of refreshing, hydrating shaken ones." This fall drink uses Lillet Blanc as a counterweight, picking up the orange flavors and connecting the base spirits to the liqueur and bitters.

Eve

Created by Audrey Saunders, co-owner of Pegu Club and the mind behind some of the best cocktails in current circulation, Eve relies wholly on a base of dry vermouth, its herbal flavor enhanced by a slow maceration of fresh apples. Lower in alcohol than a cocktail or a scotch on the rocks, and with a complexity of flavor that sets the stage for the meal to come, Eve has a delicate character perfectly suited for the season.

The Supreme

The Supreme is a cocktail that shows off the spirit's abilities: crisp with citrus and with the ethereal nuttiness of orgeat, a French almond syrup usually laced with orange flower water. The Supreme promotes the rich and fruity flavor of apple brandy to a well-deserved starring role.

Todd Maul's Polaris

This cocktail from Todd Maul of Clio in Boston is refreshing and complex, and would also be delicious served over ice.

Beretta's Pamplemousse

We're always a bit wary of elderflower liqueur, but it doesn't take over in this supremely balanced and fresh-tasting gin cocktail, a signature brunch drink at Beretta in San Francisco.

Gramercy Tavern's Goodfellow

This simple-looking cocktail from Gramercy Tavern's fall lineup boasts a surprisingly complex flavor profile. The elegantly layered drink mixes belly-warming Scotch with slightly sweet pear liqueur, plus nutty walnut liqueur and Oloroso sherry.

Pisco Punch

Described by Rudyard Kipling as "compounded of the shavings of cherub's wings, the glory of a tropical dawn, the red clouds of sunset and the fragments of lost epics by dead masters," Pisco Punch is a legendary drink from late 19th century San Francisco.

Honeymoon Cocktail

The Honeymoon Cocktail is essentially an apple brandy sour, boozy and sultry but balanced with fresh acidity.