Fall is upon us! It’s the time for apple picking, pie baking, and pumpkin spice everything. We ask you: what pairs better with the flavors of fall than a perfectly complementary wine cocktail? These 9 fall wine cocktails are the perfect addition to your fall happy hour. More than anything, this transitional season calls for variety. So, our favorite seasonal wine cocktails have a little something for everybody. Whether you’re looking for a low-ABV drink for your next pumpkin carving party or a warming wine cocktail for a chilly night, we’ve got you covered. Red, white, and sparkling wine fans alike, gather round and check out these delectable fall wine cocktails.
Light & Crisp
Bursting with fall flavors, these low-ABV cocktails are perfect for your next happy hour.
1. White Wine Apple Spritzer
What better way to end a day at the apple orchard than with this light and delicious white wine apple spritzer? Simply mix one part apple juice and two parts white wine with a splash of club soda. Then add thin slices of your favorite kind of apple to each glass. For this cocktail, use a white wine with notes of apple and citrus, like Riesling or Chenin Blanc.
We like to make this fall wine cocktail with Bright Cellars' own Gladiolus Riesling. The flavor notes of lime, peach, jasmine, and tangerine.
2. Dose of Autumn
This low-ABV cocktail makes the perfect digestivo on a fall night. Combine a light red wine like Pinot Noir with the popular Italian liqueur Amaro Montenegro, apple cider, and a dash of cinnamon bitters. Garnish with an apple slice.
We like to make this fall wine cocktail with Hazelaire Pinot Noir. This light-bodied red wine has flavor notes of raspberry, vanilla, black cherry, and earth.
3. Honey Roasted Pear Sparkler
This delicious cocktail combines the warm flavors of fall with a chilled sparkling wine. Yum. It requires a bit of prep work, but believe us: It’s worth the effort. First, cut some pears in half, and spread onto them a mixture made from honey, balsamic, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Bake the seasoned pears for 20 minutes at 400° and then let them cool. Blend the pears with vanilla extract and apple juice until you get a puree. Combine the pear puree with Cava or your favorite sparkling wine. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme.
Bold & Smooth
These wine cocktails are perfect when you want something a little stronger.
4. Second Circle
Dark and smooth, this devilish cocktail will take the chill out of a cold night. Combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with a bold red wine. You can use a dessert wine like ruby port, or a dry wine like full-bodied Shiraz or jammy Zinfandel. Garnish with a cherry.
We like to add Bright Cellars Bushtelly Shiraz to this fall wine cocktail. The flavor notes of raspberry, plum, smoky campfire, and blackberry go perfect with this devilish cocktail.
5. Spiced Pear Collins
This spiced pear cocktail is a bit less labor intensive than the Honey Roasted Pear Sparkler, but just as flavorful. Plus, it has a little extra kick. Blend up some pears, lemon juice, sugar, water, and fall spices. Combine the pear puree with simple syrup, dry gin, and a sparkling wine like Prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
6. Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
Building upon the already wonderful hot toddy, this fall cocktail includes apple brandy – a distilled wine. Combine the brandy with whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters, and top with hot water. Garnish with a lemon wedge, a cinnamon stick, or apple slices.
Fall Sangria
Turn your evening up a notch with a pitch of fall sangria.
7. Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria
Red wine and fresh cider? Sign us up. This sangria calls for apple cider, a light red wine like Pinot Noir, and fresh apple slices. You can add spiced rum, or nix the hard stuff to keep it a low-ABV cocktail. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.8. White Wine Fig Sangria
White wine lovers will love this sangria. Combine apple cider and an aromatic white wine like Chenin blanc or Gewürztraminer. Add a sliced apple, orange, pear, and handful of figs. Allow the fruit to infuse the sangria for at least four hours before serving. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
9. Cranberry Sangria
Last but certainly not least, cranberry sangria might just make its way into your heart and onto your Thanksgiving table. Add fresh cranberries to a pitcher, and then pour in cranberry juice, sparkling water, and a fruit-forward red wine like Merlot or Beaujolais. Stir and enjoy.
For this fun fall wine cocktail we like to add the Bright Cellars Jetbird Merlot. This red wine has flavor notes of strawberry, cherry, baking spices, and raspberry.
