With a Twist: Fresh Twists on Favorite Fall Cocktail Recipes

Entertaining with fresh twists on classic cocktails is a delightful way to create some excitement at your next gathering. Imagine serving a timeless old-fashioned but with vanilla-infused bourbon and a spritz of fragrant orange blossom spray. Simple yet innovative ingredients and garnishes not only add a burst of fresh flavor but can also provide a sensory experience that makes each drink feel special. Twisting a zest over the cocktail releases essential oils, enhancing the aroma and overall drinking experience. Whether it’s a classic cocktail recipe with more unique ingredients or adorned with a seasonal citrus spiral, these modern interpretations breathe new life into beloved drink recipes. The process of crafting cocktails can be a fun, creative activity, turning mixology into an art form. Guests will appreciate the attention to detail and added flair, making each sip a memorable moment. In this perfect blend of tradition and innovation, we’ve curated a few drink recipes to ensure a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Eastern Old-Fashioned

(Pictured above)
Adapted from @frenchandstormy; Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

For the Eastern Old-Fashioned:

• 2½ oz. vanilla-infused bourbon
• 1 oz. date syrup
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange blossom water
• Orange peel garnish

For the date syrup:

• 6 c. water
• 4 c. Medjool dates

Directions

For the date syrup:

Makes 1 cup

Bring water and dates to a boil in a large pot; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and pressing dates with the back of a spoon. Line a large colander with a double layer of cheesecloth leaving about 6 inches overlap at the top. Place over a bowl that’s slightly smaller so the bottom of the colander sits above the bowl. Carefully ladle or pour dates and liquid into the colander. Press well with the back of a spoon to force liquid into the bowl. Fold over cheesecloth and place a very heavy pot or bowl directly on the dates; set aside for 1 hour to drain. When cool enough to handle, gather excess cheesecloth at the top and twist tightly to enclose dates; squeeze dates firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. Pour liquid into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30–40 minutes or until mixture has reduced to just slightly over 1 cup, stirring frequently. As mixture reduces, lower heat and stir frequently to avoid scorching. Syrup will thicken as it cools.

For the Eastern Old-Fashioned:

Stir all of the ingredients together and strain into a cocktail glass over ice. Spritz the orange blossom spray over the drink and garnish with an orange peel.

Editor’s Tip: In place of the date syrup you can use simple syrup.

Normandy Old-Fashioned

Adapted from Erik Hakkinen, Roquette; Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

• 1½ oz. Calvados
• 1½ oz. apple brandy
• ¼ oz. simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1 dash pimento bitters
• Orange twist garnish
• Cherry garnish

Directions

Stir all of the ingredients together with ice to chill and strain into a glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange twist and cherry.

Star Daisy

Adapted from Joaquín Simó; Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

• ¾ oz. high-proof London dry gin
• ¾ oz. apple brandy
• ¾ oz. dry Curaçao
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• ⅓ oz. simple syrup

Directions

Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake hard with ice until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Bourbon Spritz

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

• 1 oz. bourbon
• 1 oz. elderflower liqueur Prosecco
• Club soda
• Lemon twist, garnish

Directions

Add ice to your glass and add bourbon and elderflower liqueur. Top with prosecco and club soda to taste. Stir and add lemon twist garnish.

Flannel Season

Adapted from Evan Wolf, The Company Burger; Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

For the Flannel Season:

• 1½ oz. bourbon
• ½ oz. Averna
• ¾ oz. cider syrup
• ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

For the cider syrup:

• 4 oz. apple cider
• 4 oz. raw sugar
• 2 oz. honey
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise pods
• 1 Tbsp. whole allspice
• 1 tsp. whole cloves

Directions

For the cider syrup:

Dissolve the sugar and honey in apple cider over low heat and steep with spices to taste. Once cooled, strain out the spices and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

For the Flannel Season:

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake to chill. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice.