Hot Caramel-Popcorn Bourbon Apple Cider

A caramel popcorn–enhanced spiked cider for a chilly day.

Peppery Ginger Cider

This warm cocktail is spiked with bourbon and ginger liqueur. Cracked black pepper underscores the ginger's subtle burn.

Pom Pomme

Pomegranates (the pom) and apples (the pomme) are the stars of this sparkling drink.

Cider Cocktail: Young Buck

The Young Buck combines semi-dry sparking cider and ginger beer for a cocktail that is full of flavor but light in alcohol.

Sazerac and Cider

The true apple flavor of hard cider is a natural partner for a warming spirit like rye and even plays well with the anise and botanicals in Pernod, which can be a bit of an oddball to mix.

Candy Apple

Toasty, malty, and a little nutty, brown ale is a natural partner for hard cider. Combined in this simple two-ingredient cocktail, they produce a mouth-coating caramel richness cut with a sharp rinse of tart cider.

Falling Leaves

Created by New York mixological maestro Audrey Saunders, the Falling Leaves is a great autumn drink that works well as a conversation starter as guests arrive. Not only rich and flavorful, the Falling Leaves packs less of an alcoholic wallop than a typical cocktail, so you'll be able to enjoy your drink without throwing yourself off stride while putting the finishing touches on the meal--and maybe even mix a second round at halftime.

Fallen Leaves

This is a perfect autumn cocktail. With the color of its namesake foliage, the Fallen Leaves has a rich, delicate flavor derived from that most seasonal of spirits, aged apple brandy. It's fine to use Calvados in one of these, but I like to reach for the 8-year-old Eau de Vie de Pomme, from Oregon's Clear Creek Distillery. At a time when the autumn chill is becoming a little more apparent each night, a Fallen Leaves can be a great evening companion.

Hard Cider and Crème Yvette Sparkler

The classic pairing of Crème Yvette and something bubbly without buying a bottle sparkling wine.

Sparkling Apple Sherry Cocktail

Juicy apples meet bubbly prosecco, rich sherry, and sweet orange liqueur in this fall cocktail.