10 best whisky cocktails for autumn

As the days get shorter and the leaves start to turn red and topple from the trees, many of us turn to cosy nights in and small comforts. 

What’s cosier than drinking an autumn-inspired whisky cocktail by the fire? Nothing! That’s why we’ve put together a list of our 10 best autumnal whisky cocktails that you can make from home, with the help of our whisky tasting sets, of course.

We’ll guide you through each delicious drink and a simple step-by-step guide on how to make it, so you can add a bit of flavour to your nights in. 

Browse our whisky-tasting sets in time for autumn festivities! 

Key takeaways

• Autumn whisky cocktails commonly pair whisky with apple, pear, blackberry, maple, ginger, and warming spices.
• Bourbon works particularly well with sweeter flavours, while rye brings extra spice and Scotch can add malt or smoke.
• Autumn cocktails don't all need to be hot; stirred, shaken, and long drinks can work just as well.
• Classics such as an Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, and Hot Toddy can easily be adapted for autumn.
• Most of the recipes in this guide can be made with basic home-bar equipment.

Which whisky is best for autumn cocktails?

As the colder weather arrives, we start moving away from summery drinks towards deeper fruit, spice, and warming flavours. 

The good thing about whisky is that different styles naturally hold flavours that complement autumn ingredients: vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, oak, spice, and smoke. 

These work well with apple, pear, maple, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and blackberry, but different whiskies will bring out different notes. Here are some pairings that go beautifully together in cocktails for autumn:

• Bourbon: Its typical notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking spices pair well with ingredients such as maple syrup, apple, cinnamon, and orange.
• Rye whisky: Rye often has a peppery, herbal character compared with bourbon, so it works well with spices and sweeter ingredients like maple syrup or vermouth.
• Scotch whisky: A lighter, fruity Scotch can work nicely with apple, pear, citrus, and honey, while richer whiskies with dried fruit or sherry-cask notes suit deeper autumn flavours such as blackberry, orange, and warming spice.
• Irish whiskey: Many Irish whiskies have a smooth, approachable character with notes of fruit, vanilla, honey, or gentle spice that works well with apple, coffee, and ginger.
• Japanese whisky: Many styles offer fruity, floral, malty, or lightly smoky notes that pair nicely with ingredients such as pear, apple, ginger, and citrus.

10 best autumnal whisky cocktails

Browse our top picks for autumn, from warming Hot Toddies to Maple Old Fashioneds, fruity sours, and easy-to-make seasonal serves.

1. Maple Old Fashioned

If you like a classic Old Fashioned, this autumn-inspired version is an easy one to try. 

Swapping the usual sugar or simple syrup for maple syrup gives the drink a richer, slightly deeper sweetness that works well with the vanilla, caramel, and oak notes often found in bourbon.

Ingredients

• 50ml bourbon or rye whisky
• 5–10 ml pure maple syrup, depending on how sweet you like it
• 2–3 dashes of aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Orange peel, to garnish

How to make a Maple Old Fashioned

1. Add the whisky, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass or tumbler filled with ice.
2. Stir for around 20–30 seconds until the drink is chilled and slightly diluted.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, or simply serve it over fresh ice.
4. Finish with a strip of orange peel. Twist the peel over the glass first to release citrus oils, then drop it into the drink as a garnish.
5. Add a cinnamon stick for a fun touch or a light dusting of grated nutmeg for extra warmth.

2. Apple and Ginger Whisky Highball

An Apple and Ginger Whisky Highball is the go-to if you want a cocktail that's refreshing rather than rich and heavy. 

It combines crisp apple with warming ginger and whisky, giving you a drink that still feels seasonal without being overly sweet, and it’s the easiest cocktail on this list to make!

Ingredients

• 50ml whisky (bourbon or irish whisky)
• 75ml cloudy apple juice
• 75ml ginger beer
• 10ml fresh lemon juice
• Ice
• Thin apple slices or a lemon wedge, to garnish

How to make an Apple and Ginger Whisky Highball

1. Fill a highball glass with plenty of ice.
2. Pour in the whisky, cloudy apple juice, and fresh lemon juice, then give everything a gentle stir.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir once more, taking care not to knock too much fizz out of the drink.
4. Finish with a thin slice of apple, lemon wedge, or a small piece of fresh ginger for garnish.

3. Blackberry Whisky Sour

If you love a classic Whisky Sour, then a Blackberry Whisky Sour is its autumn equivalent. 

Fresh blackberries bring a deeper, slightly tart fruitiness to the drink, while lemon juice keeps it bright, and the whisky adds warmth and depth underneath, creating a drink perfect for early autumn. 

You can make it with fresh blackberries muddled directly into the drink, or use blackberry syrup for a smoother texture and more consistent sweetness.

Ingredients

• 50ml whisky (bourbon or scotch)
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 4–5 fresh blackberries
• 15–20ml egg white or aquafaba (optional)
• Ice
• Fresh blackberries or a lemon twist, to garnish

How to make a Blackberry Whisky Sour

1. Add the blackberries and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle them to release their juice.
2. Pour in the whisky, fresh lemon juice and, if you're using it, the egg white or aquafaba.
3. If you've added egg white or aquafaba, shake the ingredients first without ice. This is called a dry shake and helps create the soft, foamy texture of a traditional sour.
4. Add plenty of ice and shake again until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
5. Fine-strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, or serve it without ice in a coupe glass if you prefer.
6. Finish with a few fresh blackberries, a lemon twist, or both!

4. Spiced Manhattan

A Manhattan is already well suited to autumn thanks to its rich combination of whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters. 

Adding a subtle touch of warming spice makes it feel even more seasonal without losing the classic bold, smooth character of the cocktail. This is one of the stronger cocktails on the list, so be warned: it packs a punch!

The key is not to go overboard with the spice; Cinnamon, orange, and aromatic bitters should complement the whisky and vermouth rather than make the cocktail taste like a Christmas candle.

Ingredients

• 50ml rye whisky or bourbon
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
• 1 dash of orange bitters (optional)
• Ice
• Orange peel or a cocktail cherry, to garnish
• Cinnamon stick (optional)

How to make a Spiced Manhattan

1. Add the whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir for about 20–30 seconds, until thoroughly chilled and slightly diluted.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Martini glass.
4. Finish with an orange twist or cocktail cherry. If you want to emphasise the autumn flavours, add a cinnamon stick as a garnish.

5. Irish Coffee

An alcoholic twist on your favourite morning beverage, an Irish coffee is a popular cocktail for a reason: rich coffee, Irish whisky, sugar, and lightly whipped cream come together to create a warming cocktail that sits somewhere between an after-dinner drink and a dessert.

It’s perfect for cold autumn days, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. You only need a handful of ingredients, but getting the balance right makes a big difference.

Ingredients

• 40–50ml Irish whisky
• 120ml freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1–2 teaspoons brown sugar, to taste
• 30ml lightly whipped double cream
• Freshly grated nutmeg or chocolate (optional)

How to make an Irish Coffee

1. Start by warming your glass with hot water, then empty it just before making the drink to help stop the coffee from cooling down too quickly.
2. Add the brown sugar and Irish whisky to the glass, then pour in the freshly brewed coffee.
3. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
4. Lightly whip the double cream until it thickens slightly but is still pourable. Slowly pour it over the back of a spoon so it sits on top of the coffee rather than sinking straight into it.
5. Finish with a light grating of nutmeg or chocolate if you want an extra autumn touch.

6. Classic Hot Toddy

Made with whisky, hot water, lemon, and honey, a Classic Hot Toddy is cosy, comforting, and ideal for colder autumn evenings.

Unlike richer cocktails such as an Irish Coffee or Manhattan, a Hot Toddy is light and straightforward, with the whisky remaining the centre of the drink. The honey adds a touch of sweetness, and the lemon brings some freshness to balance everything out.

You can keep it traditional or add subtle autumn flavours such as cinnamon, cloves or fresh ginger.

Ingredients

• 50ml whisky (Scotch, Irish, or bourbon)
• 120–150ml hot water
• 15ml fresh lemon juice
• 10–15ml honey
• Lemon wheel or peel, to garnish
• Cinnamon stick (optional)

How to make a Classic Hot Toddy

1. Add the honey and whisky to a heatproof mug or glass.
2. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, then top with hot water.
3. Stir thoroughly until the honey has completely dissolved.
4. Taste and adjust as needed. Add a little more honey if you prefer it sweeter, or another squeeze of lemon if you want more acidity.
5. Finish with a lemon wheel or strip of lemon peel. You can also add a cinnamon stick if you want a more seasonal aroma.

7. Penicillin

The Penicillin is a modern whisky cocktail that feels almost made for autumn. 

It combines Scotch whisky with lemon, honey, and ginger, then finishes with a small amount of smoky Scotch floated on top. The result is a warming, citrusy, slightly sweet, gently smoky cocktail, with the ginger adding just enough spice to feel perfectly suited to cooler evenings.

Ingredients

• 50ml blended Scotch whisky
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 20ml honey and ginger syrup
• 10ml smoky or peated Scotch whisky
• Ice
• Candied ginger or lemon peel, to garnish

How to make a Penicillin cocktail

1. Add the blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-and-ginger syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake thoroughly until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, ideally one large cube.
4. Slowly pour the smoky Scotch over the back of a spoon so it floats across the surface of the drink. This helps keep the smoky aroma noticeable with each sip.
5. Finish with a piece of candied ginger or a strip of lemon peel.

8. Boulevardier

The Boulevardier combines whisky with sweet vermouth and a bitter Italian aperitif, creating a drink with plenty of depth, warmth, and complexity.

It’s a rich, bittersweet whisky cocktail that feels particularly well suited to autumn, with the whisky bringing notes of oak, spice, vanilla, or caramel depending on the bottle you choose.

It’s a good option if you prefer cocktails that are strong, slow-sipping and not overly sweet!

Ingredients

• 45ml bourbon or rye whisky
• 30ml sweet vermouth
• 30ml bitter Italian aperitif
• Ice
• Orange peel, to garnish

How to make a Boulevardier

1. Add the whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitter aperitif to an ice-filled mixing glass.
2. Stir for around 20–30 seconds until the drink is thoroughly chilled and slightly diluted.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, or serve it without ice in a chilled coupe glass.
4. Finish with a strip of orange peel. Twist it over the glass first to release the citrus oils, then drop it into the drink.

9. Pear and Rosemary Whisky Smash

A Pear and Rosemary Whisky Smash is a lighter autumn cocktail that brings together juicy pear, fresh herbs, citrus, and whisky.

Pear has a softer, more delicate flavour than apple, which makes it a good choice if you want something seasonal without leaning too heavily into rich syrups or warming spices. 

Rosemary adds a fresh, slightly woody aroma that works great with whisky's natural oak, vanilla, and herbal notes.

Ingredients

• 50ml whisky (bourbon or blended scotch)
• 40ml pear juice or pear nectar
• 20ml fresh lemon juice
• 10ml simple syrup
• 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary
• Ice
• Pear slice and rosemary sprig, to garnish
• Splash of soda water (optional)

How to make a Pear and Rosemary Whisky Smash

1. Add the rosemary and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and gently press the herb with a muddler or the back of a spoon.
2. You only need to bruise the rosemary slightly to release its oils. Avoid crushing it too aggressively, as this can introduce bitter or overly herbal flavours.
3. Add the whisky, pear juice, lemon juice and plenty of ice.
4. Shake thoroughly until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
5. Fine-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
6. For a longer, lighter drink, add a small splash of soda water.
7. Finish with a fresh pear slice and rosemary sprigs.

10. Cranberry and Orange Whisky Punch

Cranberry and Orange Whisky Punch combines tart cranberry, fresh citrus, and warming whisky with a light fizz, making it refreshing enough for a party while still feeling seasonal.

Cranberry and orange are both naturally suited to cooler-weather drinks, and they pair especially well with whisky styles that bring vanilla, spice, oak, or caramel notes.

Unlike more spirit-forward cocktails such as a Manhattan or Boulevardier, this punch is lighter and easier to sip over a longer period, making it great for autumn gatherings or Bonfire Night drinks.

Ingredients

• 50ml whisky (bourbon or blended scotch)
• 75ml cranberry juice
• 25ml fresh orange juice
• 10ml fresh lemon juice
• 50ml ginger ale or ginger beer
• Ice
• Orange slice and fresh cranberries, to garnish

For a larger batch, scale up the quantities based on how many people you are serving.

How to make a Cranberry and Orange Whisky Punch

1. Fill a large glass with ice.
2. Add the whisky, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemon juice, then stir gently to combine.
3. Top with ginger ale or ginger beer and give the drink one final light stir.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and a few fresh cranberries if available.
5. If you’re making a larger batch, combine the whisky and fruit juices in a punch bowl or large jug first. Add the ice and fizzy mixer shortly before serving so the drink stays fresh and doesn’t become too diluted.

Get cosy with our whisky-tasting sets

Fancy exploring more whisky flavours this autumn? 

Take a look at our range of whisky tasting sets and discover a selection of drams from the comfort of home. They’re a great way to compare different styles, find new favourites, and get a little more from your next whisky night.

We also have some Halloween whisky sets, perfect for autumn festivities.