Fall in the Glass: Seasonal Cocktails for Cozy Gatherings

When the first chill sneaks into the air and the leaves blaze with russet and gold, cocktail season takes a turn toward the rich, spiced, and soul-warming. It’s a season of gatherings, of sharing stories by the fire, and of savoring the rich, warm flavors that this time of year has to offer. It’s time to trade the spritzes and citrusy sours of summer for something deeper — something that feels like flannel shirts, flickering candles, and the hum of conversation over a good cheese board. And what better way to celebrate the abundance of the harvest and the beauty of the season than with handcrafted cocktails shared among friends and family?

This fall, we’re raising our glasses to sweater-weather entertaining with a lineup of Fall-friendly craft cocktails featuring New Deal spirits — from robust bourbons to bright apple brandies and aromatic spiced rums — each one crafted in Portland’s Central Eastside. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party, planning an intimate harvest dinner, or just curling up with a blanket and a playlist full of Nick Drake and Etta James, these seasonal drinks will see you through autumn in style.

The rich, caramelized flavor of maple syrup is a must-have ingredient for the season, and swapping it for simple syrup is a great way to add a dose of fall flavor to your cocktails. In the Maple Bourbon Sour, we blend our Distiller’s Reserve Bourbon with fresh lemon juice and maple syrup for a bright and refreshing cocktail with big autumnal flavor. The result is a cocktail that’s comforting yet complex: Smooth, slightly sweet, and kissed with that unmistakable maple-sugar warmth, it practically glows in the glass.

Those who appreciate a more complex and assertive cocktail will want to try the Jack Knife, a riff on an Old Fashioned that brings bourbon, Cascadia Liqueur, and maple syrup together in a drink that showcases a sophisticated blend of bitter and sweet, with a warmth that will chase away the autumn chill. The heat of the bourbon and the sweetness of maple syrup are balanced by the bitter notes of the Cascadia Liqueur.

Maybe a cool-weather Collins is more your speed? If so, we’d recommend the Hunker Down. Here, sherry shines with Pear Brandy, our barrel-aged Old Tom Gin, citrus, and maple syrup. You’ll love how this bright cocktail seamlessly blends the unmistakable, warming spices of fall with vibrant winter fruits. Think of it as orchard fruit meets elegant effervescence: the pear brandy offers mellow stone-fruit sweetness, the gin brings botanical depth and barrel-aged warmth, the Amontillado sherry adds nutty complexity, and the maple syrup whispers of autumn. Topped with soda water, it’s bright and refreshing yet distinctly seasonal.

Let’s say you’re feeling inspired by the season and you’re absolutely, 100% in the mood for Apple Brandy. If that’s the case, we’d really have to suggest the Apple Jack Rabbit, a recipe we adapted from Jim Meehan’s PDT Cocktail Book. Here, maple syrup and fresh-squeezed citrus meet our small-batch Distiller’s Workshop Apple Brandy for a drink that proves just a few ingredients can deliver big fall flavor. With a name as charming as its flavor, the Apple Jack Rabbit feels both classic and contemporary. The bright citrus and orchard fruit play beautifully together, creating a cocktail that’s sunny yet grounded — perfect for transitional fall days when the air’s crisp but the sun still shines.

Now, we think everyone would agree that fall is the absolute perfect time of year to enjoy Apple Brandy. Ours is made with both Washington and Oregon apples and is an ideal invitation to cozy season. If you're new to this spirit, we have some great cocktails for you to try out. 

How does a Vanilla Apple Sour sound? We think you’ll enjoy the combination of our small-batch Apple Brandy with freshly squeezed citrus, and our house-made spiced vanilla Cola Cocktail Syrup. It really is delightful to sip. The apple brandy lends orchard-fresh flavor with a whisper of oak, while vanilla softens the edges and gives it that “apple pie in a glass” vibe. It’s as pretty as it is delicious, often served up in a coupe with a light dusting of cinnamon.

If you’re a fan of an Old Fashioned, we think you should try out the Hello Wisconsin. This one is muddled with fruit and built right in the glass, a nod to the Great Lakes style of this classic cocktail. This cocktail pays tribute to the Midwest supper-club tradition, where every meal starts with a brandy Old Fashioned. Served over ice with an orange slice and cherry, it’s both nostalgic and elegant — amber in color and endlessly sippable. The result is a crowd-pleasing, smooth, and warming tipple that’s perfect for any fall occasion. 

a gentle reminder of cozy indoor dinners and laughter around the table.

We think it would be particularly tasty when sipped by a fire or after a long walk in the woods.

Much like apples, pears are great anytime of year but always seem to be particularly wonderful in the fall. Perhaps we think that because our distillery is currently filled with the beautiful aroma of Bartlett pears. Every year, over 30 tons of pears are delivered to us from an orchard in Hood River, Oregon. As they ripen, we prepare to ferment and distill our annual batch of Pear Brandy and the newly introduced Spiced Pear Liqueur. 

If you enjoy fresh pear flavor (and have been known to add a splash or two of bubbly to your cocktails), you might want to try the Sparkle Motion. Made with cinnamon, clove, star anise, and vanilla beans, our richly spiced pear liqueur meets bright citrus and a float of sparkling wine in this cocktail that brings effervescence to fall. The taste is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy, with the Spiced Pear Liqueur complemented by the bright and citrusy notes of fresh lemon juice and a touch of sweetness from the simple syrup. The float of sparkling wine adds a touch of elegance.

Gloomy fall day got you down? Maybe a Pear Hot Toddy is what you need? This super cozy recipe splits the base spirit between sunny Pear Brandy and zippy Ginger Liqueur. Add lemon, hot water, and honey, and you’re in business. For this lush twist on a classic cold-weather tipple, Pear Brandy and local honey combine with lemon and hot water, creating an aromatic steam that warms from the inside out. Each sip delivers a soft, pear-like flavor and gentle sweetness, balanced by a citrus tang. Serve it in a mug garnished with a clove-studded lemon slice for full fireside flair.

When the temperature drops and the rain begins to fall, there’s nothing quite like a warm and comforting hot toddy. While you have the bottle of Ginger Liqueur out, keep this Harvest Moon toddy recipe in mind. Our Distiller’s Reserve Rye is stirred with hot water, honey, herbal Cascadia Liqueur, and a generous splash of Ginger Liqueur. The taste is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, herbal, and tart, with the rye whiskey and ginger liqueur warmed by honey and brightened by fresh lemon juice. Add a cinnamon stick and a clove-studded lemon for garnish— as I’m sure you can imagine, it smells just as good as it tastes.

Baking spices are another fall flavor we can’t do without around this time of year, and our New Deal Spiced Rum is loaded with them. Smooth and aromatic, this rum is perfect for fall weather concoctions. In this Baked Apple Sour that you can think of as the boozy cousin of an apple crisp, we shake Spiced Rum with hard apple cider and lemon for a festive, fizzy autumnal sour. A beautiful, golden color, this drink is a feast for the eyes. The taste is a delightful combination of sweet, tart, and spicy, with the spiced rum complemented by the crispness of hard cider and the bright and citrusy notes of fresh lemon juice. And, we must say, the dried apple slice garnish really brings it all together.

If autumn had a signature spirit, New Deal Spiced Rum would be it. The Cable Car cocktail showcases its warm blend of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla with fresh lemon juice and orange liqueur, shaken to frothy perfection. This Sidecar variation skips the Brandy and tastes more like a fall-forward, spiced rum sour: a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, with the spiced rum complemented by the bright and citrusy notes of fresh lemon juice and orange liqueur, and a touch of sweetness from the simple syrup. With its beautiful, amber color, cinnamon-and-sugar rim, and vibrant orange twist garnish, it’s precisely what we want to drink right now. 

Who says punch is just for the December holidays? The Spiced Pineapple Punch is a delicious and refreshing punch that’s perfect for any fall gathering. It brings together New Deal Spiced Rum, pineapple, apple cider, and citrus for a bright yet warming party punch. Cinnamon and clove dance alongside tropical fruit, offering that “holiday-vacation-meets-harvest-table” vibe that instantly livens up gatherings. The taste is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy, with the spiced rum complemented by the tropical sweetness of pineapple syrup, the crispness of apple cider, and the bright and citrusy notes of fresh lime juice. The soda water adds a delightful effervescence.

As the days grow shorter and the air grows colder, there’s no better way to embrace the beauty of the season than with handcrafted cocktails shared amongst friends and family. With our line of locally-made craft spirits, you have everything you need to create unforgettable autumn cocktails that will delight your senses and impress your guests. So this fall, invite friends over, light a few candles, and let the cocktails flow. Because nothing warms the heart — or the hands — like sharing good spirits made right here, and made right.