September 1, 2016 | People
As the temperatures start to cool down, away go the beach towels and rosé, and out come cozy sweaters and fall-appropriate cocktails. We caught up with 13 local mixologists to get their top picks for the season.
"Nothing goes better with crisp, cool air and the changing leaves than bourbon! Add in subtle flavors of maple syrup (smoked in-house), and the irresistible allure of chocolate, and you have yourself one of the finest fall cocktails around. Pair this with a 28-day dry aged rib eye over dinner, or simply enjoy in our bar lounge for a perfect autumn evening." —Jeff Bowell, bartender at Barclay Prime
"When creating fall-inspired cocktails, I aim to blend together drinks that highlight a whirlwind of peat and complex malty flavors. ArtBar’s autumn rhythm is a riff on the old fashioned, a seasonal favorite. The citrus notes in the Ardbeg 10 complement the muddled oranges and cherries perfectly, creating the perfect balance of a smoky, yet sweet scotch cocktail." —Bud Hammann, ArtBar at Sonesta Philadelphia
"The Tenku is the perfect transitional cocktail as the days get shorter and the evenings cooler. Lemongrass, peach bitters, and blueberries balance and complement the refreshing, fruit-forward, winter-warrior sake. This elegant fall cocktail is the perfect drink for all diners: from weekend visitors catching a show to weeknight guests seeking respite from the work week." —Adam Colón, beverage manager at Buddakan & Continental Atlantic City
"Fall cocktails, to me, encompass the best of both worlds. You can still get the light refreshing flavors of crisp fall fruits while being able to incorporate a spicy and warming kick." —Erica Noss, beverage manager at Bing Bing Dim Sum (Gimme The Loot, pictured above)
"One of my favorite cocktails on our fall menu has to be the Black Beard's Tea. Using the coffee lover's tea from our Mary Cassatt Tea Room, I made a tea syrup that has a rich coffee flavor with hints of almond and vanilla. Then, I paired it with a Venezuelan rum and a bit of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram to complete the seasonal flavor profile. The addition of egg whites makes the cocktail frothy [with more] body, and the freshly grated cinnamon on top completes this perfect fall drink, like a spiced latte in cocktail form." —Jesse Dureka, bartender at Library Bar
"There is nothing I like more than a good pumpkin cocktail during the fall season. We prepare our It's the Great Pumpkin cocktail with fresh pumpkin purée and Four Roses Bourbon which is the perfect combination for this standout cocktail." —Leo Barbuto, general manager at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse
"[For La Rosita] we use Milagro tequila, Dolin Dry, and Dolin Rouge with Campari. If you like tequila and negronis, you will love this cocktail. The Campari gives it a herbaceous and bitter taste that complements the sweetness of the Dolin and tequila. The hint of orange gives it the zesty, refreshing flavor. This bold classic will warm your heart on a crisp fall day." —Jackie O’Hare, bartender at Bar Bombón
"Vibrant Visions is a perfect combination of rich flavor and spices. The mezcal and carrot juice blend together to create a full, smoky base, while the addition of ginger and apple add that perfect fall spice. The sake elevates the drink into a truly standout cocktail." —Rob Day, Aqimero
"This signature cocktail is made with a base of dried figs and clove-infused bourbon. [Then we stir] sweet vermouth and Campari, and serve it over one big ice cube with a toasted orange twist. This is my favorite autumn cocktail because it's boozy and warming with a rich spice aroma that makes it perfect for fall." —Alexa Amendolagine, beverage manager at Scarpetta
"The Devil’s Tail is an ideal fall cocktail. Whiskey makes for a great drink any time of year, but the addition of Pedro Ximénez sherry lends the drink a sweet warmth while a few dashes of black walnut bitters and a rinse of absinthe provide spicy, earthy notes."—Codi Bixler, assistant general manager at Twisted Tail
"Laird’s Apple Brandy is synonymous with fall. I take a whiff and I automatically want to put on a sweater and step on some crunchy leaves. One of my favorite classics using Laird’s is the Diamondback, made with apple brandy, rye, and yellow chartreuse." —Jesse Cornell, lead bartender at SkyGarten
"Personally, I absolutely love fall cocktails. It means the end of summer but the beginning of crisp mornings! With the leaves on the ground, I can't help but tap into my 'earthy' side! Put away the key lime martini and bring on the bourbon. Our Sicilian Cowboy is made with the juice of one blood orange, bourbon, amaro, bitters, and orange blossom water. Shake and serve with the blood orange peel!” —Charlene Tokheim, lead bartender at Capofitto
"The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and our Crimson Rye is the perfect fall cocktail. The warming spiciness from rye whiskey, Scottish botanicals from the Botanist Gin, black strap molasses, bitters, and licorice notes from the star anise make the Crimson Rye perfect for autumn in Philadelphia." —John Witmer, bar manager at Ocean Prime
photography via facebook.com/TheRittenhouse (Library Bar); yelp.com/capofitto-philadelphia-3
