Cocktails, Wine Pairings, and Ciders to Welcome Fall

As the leaves turn and the temperatures drop, autumn invites us to indulge in its rich flavors and cozy comforts. This season is perfect for exploring a diverse array of beverages and dishes that complement each other beautifully. We’ve gathered our top recommendations for fall cocktails, wines, and spiked ciders, and some delicious fall foods to elevate your gatherings. No matter the occasion, these fall favorites will be sure to impress. 

Fall Flavors: Top Fall Cocktails 

While vodka and gin remain perennial favorites, it's time to let some of those fine, brown liquors take the spotlight along with apples, cranberries, and cider. 

The Boulevardier Cocktail

• 1½ oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• Garnish: orange slice, lemon twist, or cherry

Stir all the ingredients well with ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish.

Hard Cider Sangria

• 1 cup quartered and thinly sliced unpeeled apples (perfect for apple-picking season!)
• 1 navel orange — quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1 cup apple juice, chilled
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup apple brandy
• One 22-oz. bottle hard apple cider, chilled
• Ice

In a pitcher, combine the apples with the orange, apple juice, lemon juice, and brandy letting the flavors blend. Just before serving, add the hard cider. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Perfect Pairings: Wine & Food for Fall

As the weather cools and the colors of fall emerge, there's no better time to enjoy the art of pairing wine with seasonal foods. Whether you prefer the boldness of a red, or the crispness of a white, these pairings are designed to bring out the best in your favorite fall foods. 

Lockwood Pinot Noir + Game Birds

Pheasant, grouse, and the like tend to have a bit fuller flavor than your average poultry. Any wine that goes with it needs to be able to go toe-to-toe, and the Lockwood is up to the challenge. Flavors of ripe berries, spicy cardamom, and Bergamot lead to a long finish that complements your favorite game birds.

Les MurièresCôtes du Rhône Blanc + Walleye

This Côtes du Rhône is rich, but not quite as heavy as chardonnay. Where a fuller-bodied wine risks overpowering the seafood on your plate, this white wine sits right next to the succulent, delicate taste and mouthfeel of just-caught walleye with its fruity nose and citrusy notes.

Flechas de los Andres Gran Malbec + Bison

Going big with bison this fall? We can't blame you. It's one of the best red meats you'll ever eat, rich and intense like no other. Luckily, this Argentinian malbec is robust enough to not just complement the beast but add to it with acidity, fruitiness, and chocolate notes to savor.

Spiked Ciders: Seasonal Sips for Fall

When the leaves begin to change hues from a bright green to a vast array of reds, yellows, and oranges, it can only mean one thing: it's apple-picking season in Minnesota. With apples comes cider. But not just any cider — hard apple cider. Here are some delicious ciders to try this fall.

Traditions Ciderworks Amity Rose Dry Cider

Minnesota’s fertile, beautiful landscapes and affinity for apple production may be compared to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where you’ll also find delicious apple ciders. To get a taste for the West Coast bounty, try Traditions Ciderworks’ Amity Rose Dry Cider. Bittersweet apples with tannins for texture make it more complex than your average cider, but that’s a good thing. Can you find the touch of honey notes?

Yellow Belly Hard Apple Cider

Sapsucker Farms, located in Mora, Minnesota, makes a variety of ciders under the name Yellow Belly Small Batch Hard Cider, including ginger, barrel-aged, and lemon basil. But of course, they have a classic semi-sweet you probably ought to pick up — and it’s even gluten-free. If you’re ever in Mora, swing by the farm, which also features maple syrup, Minnesota wildflower honey, wild rice, and yes, certified organic apples. Talk about a one-stop shop for the road-tripper.

As autumn unfolds, there’s no better way to embrace the season than with these flavorful cocktails, wines, and spiked ciders. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply enjoying a cozy night in, these combinations will elevate your experience. Visit Haskell’s to find everything you need to create memorable fall moments with friends and family. Here’s to savoring the season with every sip and bite.