Fall in NYC is sweet and heavy this year. The crisp, autumnal flavors of cider and apple brandy have arrived, and it’s time to fully embrace the cooler weather. These cocktails will mesh perfectly with sweaters and scarves and keep you warm as well as refreshed.

The Wild Bee’s Old Fashioned

Any bourbon drink at this time of year seems to take on the color and attitude of fall. Honey and rosemary vanilla syrup with Angostura bitters make this Buffalo Trace bourbon delightful. (Juliette, 135 N 5th St., Brooklyn; 718-388-9222)

Lounge Act

Flavors of orange and plum, herbs and slight anise will make you think of the seasons changing…from very hot to not so hot. Dudognon Cognac and Rittenhouse Rye will get you drunk on those thoughts. Served stirred in a coupe—classy. (Dram, 177 S 4th St., Brooklyn; 718-486-3726)

 

Stone Fence Boilermaker No.2

Drinking apple brandy with pear cider makes it hard to forget that you’ve entered autumn. Wassail specializes in cider, so the pear and apple beverages don’t stop there. (Wassail, 162 Orchard St.; 646-918-6835)

Casablanca Remake

Moderately sweet Bonal (an aperitif), Palo Cortado (a sherry), and maple flavors all in one cup may surprise you. The result is none too saccharine and feels positively clean. (Pearl & Ash, 220 Bowery; 212-837-2370)

Sparkle & Shine

Moonshine transcends the seasons—even if it’s cherry flavored. Mix it with champagne, vanilla, rhubarb, and somehow, you wind up in fall. Don’t ask me how, though. (Distilled, 211 W Broadway; 212-601-9514)

Pumpkin Martini

What would a list of fall cocktails be if it didn’t include pumpkin? Starbucks knows the drill, and maybe it’s true that pumpkin goes better with coffee than with liquor, but this pie of a martini may be the exception to the rule. It’s made with vanilla vodka, creame liqueur, and pumpkin syrup, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. You can’t get much more fall than that. (Libation, 137 Ludlow St.; 212-529-2153)

Top photo via Wassail; Snow Cap Float photo via Pouring Ribbons