5 Cocktails Perfect For Labor Day Weekend at the Cabin

Labor Day Weekend signals the seasonal change from summer to, well... not summer. Depending on the mood of Mother Nature, the weekend can be our last hurrah of G & Ts or our first big dip into our hearty porters and ales by the fire. It’s a time of transition where the lingering warmth of summer meets the crisp beginning of fall making it easy to enjoy both a refreshing or robust, crisp flavor.

So whether you're thinking about autumnal ales, warming whiskeys, or looking for one last fun cocktail to shake, we have a few different ideas on what to stock for your weekend away as we celebrate America's labor movement and the contribution workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

5 Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Labor Day Weekend:

Pumpkin Spice White Russian 

• 2 ounces Mozart Pumpkin Spice
• 1.5 ounces Kahlua
• 1.5 ounces vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces half and half
• cinnamon stick to garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the Pumpkin Spice, Kahlua, vanilla vodka, and half and half. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if you’re feeling fancy.

Rusty Nail

• 1½ oz. Scotch
• ½ oz. Drambuie
• 1 twist lemon peel (optional)

Pour the Scotch and Drambuie into an old-fashioned glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well, allowing the different flavors to blend. If you're feeling fancy, garnish with the lemon twist.

 Classic Hot Toddy

• ¾ cup water
• 1 ½ ounces whiskey
• 2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste
• 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
• 1 lemon round
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)

In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug. 

Add the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice. Stir until the honey has dissolved into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon of honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for some added zing. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick.

Classic Screwdriver

• 1½ oz. vodka
• Orange juice
• Orange slice for decoration

Mix the vodka and orange juice in a shaker, then strain into an old-fashioned or Collins glass filled with ice cubes. For a decorative flair, add a slice of orange on the rim. This staple crowd-pleaser is easy to make and perfect for any summer gathering. 

Whiskey Sour

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 2/3 oz. lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar

Shake the bourbon, juice, and sugar well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass (or a traditional sour glass if you have one) and enjoy. This classic drink can be enjoyed at any time but is particularly satisfying during the transition from summer to fall. 

Now that you know what drinks you’re going to make, it’s time to gather all your ingredients! Haskell's has multiple stores located throughout the greater Twin Cities area, so you can stop by whichever is most convenient for you! Cheers to a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.