In the words of the iconic Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, “I am an autumn.” Basically, this time of year is when I, and many other young 20-somethings, absolutely thrive. Not only do we get to pull out our favorite cozy sweaters from their storage boxes, but we also get to indulge in Halloween decorating, pumpkin patch-ing, and apple picking. If you’re like me, you might also be simply delighted whenever August rolls around because it means pumpkin spice, maple, and crisp apple latte season is right around the corner. Frankly, autumnal coffee beverages are to die for and definitely outdo the holiday mocha peppermint flavors that follow them. However, the fall flavors don’t have to end at the PSL, there are myriad ways to adult-ify your pumpkin spice and apple cider by transforming them into cocktails, perfect for morning tailgating all the way to a nightcap. However, if you and your friends are sober-curious or simply not of cocktail age, there are a myriad of exquisite seasonal mocktails to make that will definitely impress your roomies. Here are a handful of easy fall mocktails to make for your upcoming harvest brunch and Friendsgiving parties.
Caramel Apple Mocktail
@ebdetails Recipe here🍏🍎👇🏻 . . 🍏Caramel Apple Punch🍎 1 Gallon Apple Cider 2 Liter of Ginger Ale 2/3 Cup caramel sauce 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice Chopped red and green apples Cranberry apple juice to freeze as ice cubes Sea salt for rim 🍎🍏🍎 Like and Save this recipe! 🍎🍏🍎 Add ingredients and stir! In this video I show you two different cute ways to serve this drink. Creating caramel rings in a glass or a salted caramel rim! Both are tasty and pretty options! The perfect kid-friendly fall party drink! 🍎🍏🎃 . . . #caramelapplepunch #falldrinks #fallparty #fallpartyideas #fallfood #fallpunch
♬ WANNABE X SATISFACTION BY ALTÉGO – ALTÉGO
As a kid, the most exciting trick-or-treat candy was definitely the caramel apple pops wrapped in green. Frankly, I still like to buy my annual bag as an adult. But what if you could get that nostalgic flavor in your fancy glass? You can make a big batch of user @ebdetails‘s Caramel Apple Punch in a pitcher, or you can make a few glasses by mixing three parts apple cider with one part ginger ale. Add in caramel sauce and pumpkin pie spice to taste. Then, add in a few fresh chopped apples and pumpkin-shaped ice if you’re going the extra mile.
Apple Cranberry Mocktail
@partycity ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Mocktails! On Day 7 of our 12 Days of Holiday Recipes we are serving up Cranberry Apple Spritzer Mocktails. create a signature holiday mocktail with six ingredients! #christmastok2022 #christmasdrinks #christmaspartyideas
♬ Christmas standard song – 3KTrack
Some may save cranberry scents and flavors for winter, but realistically, cranberry *is* for fall lovers and should be respected as such. For this fall mocktail, you can make a large batch, or simply fill each glass with equal parts cranberry juice, apple cider, and lemon-lime soda. You can rim your cups with caramel, cinnamon, and sugar, add a cinnamon stick and apple slice, and you’ll be ready for a delicious nonalcoholic toast to the season.
Honey Apple Crisp Mocktail
@mocktailgirlie First Fall mocktail recipe of the season! Here’s one of my absolute favorites. My honey apple crisp mocktail. 🤎 Ingredients • 1oz NA tequila alternative • dash of orange bitters • 4oz apple cider or apple juice • 1/2 lime juiced • 1 tsp maple syrup • Rim: cinnamon sugar #mocktailgirlie #mocktail #mocktails #mocktailrecipe #fall #autumn
♬ original sound – gilmoregirlstok
TikTok creator @mocktailgirlie always has the best recipes for those who love working with alcohol-free spirits. Get your bar set out because you need your shaker for this one. Mix one ounce of nonalcoholic tequila, orange bitters, four ounces of apple cider/juice, fresh lime juice, and a dash of maple syrup with ice, then shake. Pour these easy fall mocktails over ice, add a cinnamon rim, and cheers to you and your autumn mock-a-rita.
Pumpkin Spice Mocktail
@peace.love.hormones This herbal pumpkin spice mocktail is a must make!😍🎃 it is supportive of both gut and liver health. 🌿 #herbalmedicine#liverhealth#fertilityawareness#mocktail#pumpkinspice
♬ original sound – Peace Love Hormones
You’ve had pumpkin spice lattes and PSL cocktails, but what about a pumpkin spice mocktail? This is a great way to use your pumpkin puree if you have any leftovers after making your pumpkin bread and cookies. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, 1/4 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, a dash of pumpkin pie spice, and a splash of vanilla, and shake until smooth. Pour your mixture over ice and fill up the remainder of your glass with ginger beer. It’ll have a delicious ginger bite with the sweetness of a bold cider. What else could you ask for in a mocktail?
Cinnamon “Whiskey” Chai
@mocktail.mom Let’s ring in Fall 🍁 with a mocktail I KNOW you’re going to love! Cozy up with this Cinnamon Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Chai and let me know what you think! 🍂 2.5 oz non-alcoholic cinnamon whiskey – I’m using Beckett’s, which I bought it at @Total Wine & More 🍂 1 oz lemon 🍋 juice 🍂 3 dashes of orange bitters – I’m using @All The Bitter because it’s the best! code MOCKTAILMOM saves 15% 🙌🙌🙌 🍂 1 oz chai concentrate from @Trader Joe’s Stir, garnish with a dehydrated orange 🍊 if you’re feeling fancy, and enjoy! Making mocktails can help you surf 🏄♀️ the urge while you’re not drinking, especially when there are so many delicious non-alcoholic options on the market! .. #mocktail #mocktails #mocktailrecipe #mocktails🍹 #mocktailsandcocktails #mocktailbar #mocktailmom #zeroproof #alcoholfree #alcoholfreelifestyle #nonalcoholiccocktail #nonalcoholicdrink #nonalcoholic #nonalcoholicspirits #falldrinks #falldrink #mocktailsofinstagram
♬ original sound – Mocktail Mom
TikTok user @mocktail.mom is also a whiz when it comes to using nonalcoholic spirits. Here, she showcases the flavor of Beckett’s ’27 Non-Alcoholic Cinnamon Whiskey, akin to Fireball. In a glass filled with ice, pour in one ounce of chai (this user used the Spiced Chai concentrate from Trader Joe’s), one ounce of lemon juice, 2.5 ounces of cinnamon “whiskey,” and a few drops of orange bitters. These easy fall mocktails will definitely warm your chest with the fiery cinnamon notes.
The Witch Elixir Mocktail
This easy Halloween mocktail by themindfulmocktail combines kombucha (or another sparkling tea or beverage of choice) with lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower tea, plus muddled blackberries for color and agave or maple syrup for sweetness, if desired. It’s easily adaptable depending on what you have on hand!
Pumpkin Fizz Mocktail
This Pumpkin Fizz Mocktail by mocktailgirlie has got some spice, and it’s got pumpkin. Mix some pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in a glass, bringing the mixture up the sides to create the “pumpkin’s lines.” Add ice to the glass and fill with ginger beer, then garnish with a cinnamon stick!
Alani Witch’s Brew Mocktail
This one is for the gym girlies. Kelsgracefit makes Alani Nutrition’s Witch’s Brew flavor even spookier by adding fruit-flavored syrup (she uses peach, but also recommends apple or caramel) and edible green glitter for a mocktail straight out of the cauldron.
Olipop Apple Crisp Mocktail
Elevate your afternoon Olipop with this fall mocktail by fuelwithrae. Just combine two cans of Apple Crisp Olipop with one cup of apple cider, one tablespoon of mulling spices, and a dash of ginger bitters (optional), and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick for extra cozy vibes. The recipe makes two servings, so it’s perfect for sharing with your bestie while watching Gilmore Girls reruns and baking fall treats.
Hocus Pocus Mocktail
TikToker olivianoceda makes this bubbly and herbaceous spritz by combining lavender simple syrup (easy tutorial here) with sparkling water, yuzu, butterfly pea flower tea and pouring the mocktail over regular ice. You can add dry ice, too, if you’re feeling extra witchy.
Cranberry Fizz Mocktail
This cranberry mocktail by confidentlycaffeinated is almost too simple, and the perfect drink to transition from spooky season to the holidays. Just combine apple cider with cranberry ginger ale for a sorta sweet, sorta tart, sorta fizzy bev that pairs perfectly with whole cranberries and chopped apples for garnish.