We were sitting in Liberty last night having a gin and tonic, when all of a sudden we felt like we were wearing white after Labor Day. The g&t has been a wonderful, refreshing summer drink, but it's probably time to move on. To what, though? Irish coffee? A Manhattan? Hot buttered rum is too mid-winter. What's a good autumnal drink? Maybe something that goes with a earth-toned scarf or a green cap, if we're not getting too specific.



Last night I had a Maker's and ginger, and that certainly did the trick.
doesn't absolute have a pumpkin spice vodka? they should!
A Jameson Manhattan is a great fall drink.
Also, if you're a beer drinker, pumpkin beer is yummy and seasonal. Hard Cider also tastes better on a rainy day.
Satay Separator served at the Triple Door: Grand Mariner, Brandy, Kahlua, and whipped cream, served in a chilled martini glass. Heaven.
I make cucumber vodka at home and it seems to me that you could probably use the same method to make pumpkin spice vodka pretty easily. A couple of cups of diced pumpkin, some cloves, some allspice berries, some nutmeg maybe. Put it in a glass jar with a seal and pour in one bottle of decent but not expensive vodka which you maybe ran through the britta once or twice. Let it sit for a few days, turning it over now and then. Taste. Let sit longer if need be. When it's done, strain it through a thick layer of cheesecloth, then through a coffee filter. Put it back in the original bottle and start inventing cocktails.
Okay but be honest, would this be something you'd drink all the time? The g&t was a great default drink--not showy, refreshing, simple. The Jameson Manhattan and Maker's & ginger seem to fit that bill.
@Simonian: Holy shit, I'm not a chef! But if you make it, I'll try it out for you. ;)
Whiskey bitters on the rocks!
Or, I like anything in coffee (brandy?).
I think Blueberry Tea makes a good fall cocktail. Grand Marnier, Amaretto, and Earl Grey tea.
@tenshiemi: okay I love Earl Grey tea...and blueberries! This is on my list to try out.
are we limiting ourselves to mixed drinks? if not i'd say pumpkin ale.
@MvB: Actually, I don't even like pumpkin pie. I was just suggesting it in case Kim wanted to try. That said, I still might try making some, but I'll only use a .375 bottle. That ought to cover you, me and Kim with no pesky leftovers in case it sucks.
Since I'm heading to Italy this weekend, I'll say the Negroni (equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth and gin; garnished with an orange twise).
I'm an Old Fashioned girl, myself. Anything you can put bourbon and maraschino cherries in is aces with me. Much better in wintry and autumnal weather, but I've been known to knock them back in the summer, too.
For my money, Jameson-rocks straight-up. Beer-wise, it's the perfect season for a pint of Old Rasputin Imperial Stout down at Brouwer's.
That would be a rye Manhattan, from Josh at Lotties.
Mulled wine? Actually I don't even know what that is. How about a nice dark Chianti?
whiskey soda with bitters
Maggie M knows what's up.
Wait until the winter holidays... I have a drink for you. It's fucking candy.
Oh I'll be waiting!
To add to the list, I had the perfect pint of hard cider at Pyramid last week. ZOMG.
I'm from bourbon country (Louisville) so I'm biased but I humbly suggest the Broken Leg. The unfortunately named drink is a lovely combination of bourbon and hot apple cider. It's a perfect cocktail for brisk fall weather.
@michellej: Damn! that makes me regret it's only noon. But I know what I'll be drinking while bowling later.
around our house the requisite fall drink is a glass of warm spiced cider with a shot of whiskey or calvados (spanish apple brandy).
A sidecar, preferably in a hotel bar!
Sidecar: brandy, triple sec, lemon juice, sugared rim
This is terrific. If people keep contributing ideas, I can just try a new drink every other day (or so) until winter sets in!