When the leaves start turning gold and there’s a chill in the air, I know one thing—you and I both need something cozy in a cup (or glass). That’s where fall bourbon drinks come in.
These are rich, warm, and comforting — the kind of drinks that taste like crackling fires, soft blankets, and long talks with friends. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or hosting a fall get-together, these fall bourbon cocktails hit all the right notes.
Let’s get into ten that make every autumn night taste even better.
1. Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
- Ice
Looks and Tastes:
Amber gold with a slow-melting ice cube. It’s warm, smooth, and slightly sweet — a classic old-fashioned with cozy fall depth. The maple gives it a caramel glow, and the orange peel adds a light citrus lift.
How to Make It:
Add maple syrup and bitters to a glass, pour in bourbon, and stir with ice until chilled. Drop in a large ice cube and finish with a twist of orange peel.
2. Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3 oz apple cider
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¼ oz rosemary or fig simple syrup
- Apple slice or cinnamon stick for garnish
- Ice
Looks and Tastes:
Golden and crisp, this one looks like autumn in a glass. Sweet apple and bourbon blend perfectly with a hint of citrus and herbs. It’s refreshing yet warming — ideal for a cool evening.
How to Make It:
Combine bourbon, cider, lemon juice, and syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake lightly, strain into a glass filled with fresh ice, and garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.
3. Pumpkin Spice Bourbon Latte
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz pumpkin spice syrup
- 6 oz steamed milk (any kind)
- Whipped cream and cinnamon for topping
- Optional: a shot of espresso
Looks and Tastes:
Creamy orange and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. It’s sweet, spiced, and tastes like a fall dessert meets your favorite coffee shop drink.
How to Make It:
Steam the milk, then stir in pumpkin spice syrup and bourbon (plus espresso if you like a kick). Pour into a mug, add whipped cream, and finish with cinnamon on top.
4. Cranberry Bourbon Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz maple syrup
- Ice
- Fresh cranberries or lemon twist
Looks and Tastes:
Vibrant red and bright. Tart cranberry balances with smooth bourbon and a splash of maple. It’s bold, colorful, and festive.
How to Make It:
Shake bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup with ice. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with cranberries or a lemon twist.
5. Brown Sugar Sage Bourbon Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz brown sugar syrup
- 3 sage leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- Club soda
- Ice
Looks and Tastes:
Light brown and aromatic, with a sage leaf floating on top. It’s earthy, slightly sweet, and soothing — a fresh twist on bourbon.
How to Make It:
Muddle sage leaves with brown sugar syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon and ice, shake well, strain into a glass, and top with club soda. Garnish with a sage leaf.
6. Cinnamon Roll Bourbon Cold Brew
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz cold brew coffee
- ½ oz cinnamon syrup
- Cream or milk
- Ice
Looks and Tastes:
Deep coffee brown with a creamy swirl. The cinnamon gives it that “just-baked” vibe while bourbon smooths it out. It’s dessert and caffeine in one sip.
How to Make It:
Fill a glass with ice, add bourbon, cold brew, and cinnamon syrup. Stir, then top with cream or milk for a creamy finish.
7. Caramel Pecan Bourbon Flip
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz caramel sauce
- ½ oz pecan syrup
- 1 egg yolk (optional, for extra richness)
- Nutmeg for garnish
- Ice
Looks and Tastes:
Golden-brown and silky with a sprinkle of nutmeg. It’s nutty, buttery, and rich — like pecan pie in a glass.
How to Make It:
Combine bourbon, caramel, pecan syrup, and egg yolk in a shaker. Shake hard without ice, then add ice and shake again. Strain into a chilled glass and sprinkle nutmeg on top.
8. Smoky Maple Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- Hot water
- Cinnamon stick & lemon slice
Looks and Tastes:
Warm amber color, steam rising from the mug. It’s sweet, smoky, and bright — the kind of drink that hugs you from the inside out.
How to Make It:
Add bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice to a mug. Fill with hot water and stir gently. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lemon slice.
9. Spiced Pear Bourbon Collins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz pear juice or nectar
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz honey syrup
- Club soda
- Ice
- Pear slice and cinnamon stick
Looks and Tastes:
Pale gold and bubbly. The flavor is crisp and lightly sweet with honey, pear, and bourbon working together beautifully.
How to Make It:
Shake bourbon, pear juice, lime juice, and honey syrup with ice. Strain into a tall glass with ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a pear and cinnamon.
10. Dark Chocolate Bourbon Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz dark chocolate liqueur
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
- Ice
- Chocolate shavings
Looks and Tastes:
Velvety dark brown with a glossy finish and chocolate shavings on top. It’s rich, silky, and tastes like adult hot chocolate served cold.
How to Make It:
Add bourbon, chocolate liqueur, and coffee liqueur to a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with chocolate shavings.
Final Sip
There you have it — ten cozy fall bourbon drinks that taste like autumn nights. Each one brings something special to the table — maple warmth, spiced fruit, smoky sweetness, or creamy indulgence.
From simple, easy fall bourbon cocktails to rich dessert-style sips, these bourbon fall cocktails are everything you need to celebrate the season. If you’re looking for inspiration, try a classic bourbon cocktail recipe to warm things up perfectly.
So grab your favorite bottle of bourbon, light a candle, and make your next chilly evening taste like fall.
Cheers to warm drinks and cozy nights!
