Easy Fall Cocktails
Simple, seasonal drinks for when the leaves start changing
BY: JOSHUA GANDEE
Beverage Director, Watershed Kitchen & Bar
If you are anything like me, you only need the slightest wisp of cool air to dance past your nose to exclaim it fall from wardrobe, to movie choices. Well, like an autumnal Punxsutawney Phil, I saw my fall shadow and declared at once, “at least six weeks of pumpkin spice,” to those within shouting range. These cocktails are sure to delight, and you won’t even have to wait until the Harvest Moon to begin enjoying them. So don your favorite L.L. Bean flannel, put on the Sleepless in Seattle Soundtrack, find your favorite spice grinder, and let’s get to it.
Our Apple Brandy is made with all Ohio apples.
The Apple Brandy and Tonic is so easy I don’t even really have to include a recipe, but here we are. It’s everything you love about the gin and tonic, but with more tweed, herringbone, and rustic panache—basically Ralph Lauren in a glass. The subtle sweetness of the brandy pairs nicely with the bittersweetness of the tonic. Feel free to change up different tonic flavors to really make it your own. We typically have three varieties of Fever-Tree tonic available for sale in our bottle shop, so swing by if you want some help pairing with something fun.
Apple Brandy & Tonic
APPLE BRANDY & TONIC
2oz Watershed Apple Brandy
4-6oz Tonic Water (We like Fevertree, but find what works for you.)
Mix over ice in a collins glass and gently stir to combine. Garnish with an apple slice and a book of poetry.
You won’t need a crockpot to fire up this hot toddy inspired sipper, but if you feel like hosting you can certainly scale up this recipe for larger crowds. Warm apple cider replaces the hot tea in this cool air cocktail, making the only thing missing a roll-neck sweater and duck boots. Add the spices in when warming the cider for a heartier blend, or simply drop them in after the fact for a more subtle flavor.
WARM BOURBON CIDER
1.5oz Watershed Distillery Bourbon
6oz Warm Apple Cider
.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Cinnamon Stick
1 Star Anise
Add bourbon, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and anise to a glass for warm drinks like an Irish coffee glass, or that mug you got for donating to the fall membership drive. Bring apple cider to a boil, then a low simmer before pouring into mug/glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy.
If you are looking for a cool weather sour, I definitely recommend the Brown Derby. Typically made with bourbon, this cocktail calls for bourbon barrel aged gin and grapefruit juice, a combination citrusy and refreshing enough to cool you off on those days you severely overdress even though you know the sun will be shining the whole time you’re in the pumpkin patch. Pick up some local honey from the farmer’s market to make this cocktail hyper-seasonal #buylocal.
Watershed Brown Derby
WATERSHED BROWN DERBY
2oz Watershed Bourbon Barrel Four Peel Gin
.75oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
.25oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.75oz Local Honey
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin and shake with ice until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel you cut with a pocket knife while listening to crunching leaves on your front porch.
If fall is so close you can taste it, these cocktails are just the push you need to find yourself fully immersed into the season. Start a fire in the backyard, bust out your guitar, grab your Watershed Distillery spirits and sing the song of Autumn to the sky.* Cheers.
*Song of autumn is just whatever Bon Iver song you know the chords/words to.
Josh tests the structural integrity of a pumpkin on which someone worked really hard to paint our logo.