by
Monica Stonehouse | Oct 06, 2023
With the weather getting noticeably cooler and the sun dipping its head earlier and earlier each day, it’s getting harder to deny that summer is coming to an end. And whilst we love the long languorous days of summer, there’s no denying the romanticism that autumn brings, and those early evenings are begging for some cosy cocktails to ease the transition.
One BIrdcage Walk Autumn cocktails
Our team have compiled recipes for our favourite fall potions just for you. So, curl up on the sofa with good friends and these cosy cocktails that are sure to make the most of the season.
Manhattan
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A good Manhattan is truly a thing of beauty, and while they can come sweet or dry, we like ours perfect:
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60mL Bourbon (Woodford Reserve or Bulleit are favourites, but any bourbon you love will do)
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12.5ml red/sweet vermouth (such as Martini Rosso – Dubonnet also works)
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12.5ml dry vermouth (Noilly Prat or Martini)
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2-4 dashes of Bitters
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Garnish with either Morello or Maraschino cherry or 1 strip of orange zest
Pour all liquids into a cocktail shaker with ice and stir. Strain into a glass of your choice. Martini coupes are traditional, but I prefer over ice into a low-ball tumbler. Garnish, sip, enjoy.
Much like the original, this drink takes a bit of time and care to get right, but the payoff is huge. A smokier, richer sibling to the classic Old Fashioned, this drink uses Mezcal and tequila to bring a 21st century spin on a classic.
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45mL Reposado tequila
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15mL Mezcal
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1 teaspoon agave syrup (or simple syrup will do)
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2 dashes bitters (Angostura or mole)
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Garnish with 1 strip of orange zest
Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice and stir (don’t shake). Gently strain into a glass with one large ice cube. Light a match or lighter and run along the sides of the orange peel. Drop into the glass and serve.
A grown-up mocktail based on everybody’s favourite Italian summer tipple, this spritz gives you all the glam with some more autumnal flavours for those nights where you want more than a cup of tea but can’t face a headache the next day.
We find the spices in the Seedlip compliment the aromatic tonic perfectly and the fruity tea adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Brew the tea according to instructions and let cool. Pour the Seedlip and cooled tea into a tall glass over ice, top with tonic and stir gently.
Who says a G&T is exclusively a summer drink?? Make the most of this late-season berry and enjoy this cocktail year-round.
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30mL Gin
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5mL Lime Juice
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5 Blackberries
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100-150mL Tonic Water
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1 sprig of rosemary
Add 2-3 blackberries to the bottom of a glass. Using a muddler or spoon, muddle the berries until lightly smashed. Fill the glass with ice and add gin and lime juice, then top with tonic. Gently stir so the muddled berries combine with the liquid,
top with remaining berries, garnish with a sprig of rosemary and serve.
If you crave a little pathetic fallacy with your cocktails, then look no further. The cold autumn weather is the perfect accompaniment to this brisk and warming spiced drink.
Fill a lowball glass with ice and pour in your ginger beer and lime juice, then add your drops of bitters and rum, and stir for a dramatic dark and stormy effect. Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy.