Hey, everyone! It's me, Hannah, your boozy best friend, here to give you the scoop on some exquisite fall beverages you're gonna want to get your hands on this season! So let's say goodbye to summer and hello to the greatest time of the year! 😎
I've rounded up some of the most exceptional alcoholic and nonalcoholic fall beverages I've had the pleasure of sampling so far, and now I'm ready to share my findings with you. Some products are brand new to the scene, and others are returning fall favorites. So without further ado, here are the 🍁autumnal🍁 drinks I think you'll want to sip all season long:
Get crafty with a festive cocktail, or keep it simple and sip your liqueur over ice. I fell in love with that bright orange color before I even took my first sip. After all, aesthetics are a part of the experience, are they not? Then I gave it a try, and ooooh la la. I felt like I was enjoying a chocolate pumpkin truffle. It was creamy, decadent, and smooth. The warm pumpkin spice flavor was dominant, but it didn't overpower the notes of chocolate or caramel. It was like dessert in a glass, but the sweetness wasn't overwhelming or off-putting. You know how some liqueurs are *so* sweet that your jaw clenches a little when you take a sip? You won't have that problem here! It was sweet in an inviting but not overpowering way.
Though I'm not necessarily a kombucha fan, I'm always willing to give something a try, especially when ginger and lemon are part of the flavor profile. The color was a beautiful hibiscus pink, but the flavor was dominated by the spicy ginger and zesty lemon. There were some light floral notes, but overall, the flavor was sharp and tart. Folks who really love kombucha won't bat an eye or pucker a lip at that zingy flavor. Since I'm a kombucha novice, I felt the potency of every sip. With that being said, it was still very crisp and refreshing! But if you're looking for subtle or sweet, this won't be your speed. This beast is bold.
Look at that gorgeous star anise in the tea bag!! The whole tea canister smelled so fresh and inviting. I enjoyed my cup nice and hot, with a splash of milk and a bit of honey. The taste and smell were very reminiscent of chai or other spiced black teas. But the best part of all for me: It's caffeine-free. I have a caffeine sensitivity and tend to avoid caffeine 99% of the time, so it's super important for me to find aromatic, spicy, robust teas that have flavors similar to chai without all the caffeine. What a win!
I don't think I've ever had another sweet potato ale, so this was a milestone! 🍠 Even though the color was a rich amber, the flavor was definitely heavier, like a stout. The sweet potato flavor was more subtle, but it gave the ale rich, caramel notes that were just lovely. Imagine taking a bite of a sweet potato casserole (charred marshmallow topping and all) and then washing it down with a dark, hearty beer. So scrumptious and comforting!
You can add this nonalcoholic mix to hot water or tea, or you can splash in some booze for a cozy cocktail. I kept it simple and added the mix to a mug of hot water (three parts water, one part mix) and sipped with breakfast. Wow — so much flavor from so little mix! As a singer and actor, I was immediately reminded of all the home remedies I'd drink to soothe my throat before or after performances! The ginger was more subtle, but the honey and lemon flavor was incredibly warm and calming. This would be delicious with a little bit of whiskey, too!
These are some HEFTY shots!! Look, no complaints here. The more, the merrier, I always say. I popped mine in the fridge to let it cool down before diving in. I was able to take it like a shot — no mess and no fuss necessary. What makes these so wicked good (and, perhaps, a bit dangerous!) is how delicious they taste! It was like a big ol' bite of cinnamon candy with no alcohol burn or unpleasant aftertaste. So please make sure you're throwing your shots back responsibly!
I 👏 love 👏 a 👏 cranberry 👏 cocktail. I kept it simple (and lazy) for my first tasting and decided to mix the liqueur with a bit of ginger ale. I know this might seem boring, but it was honestly a perfect drink all on its own! The ginger ale was a great vehicle for showcasing the brightness of the liqueur. It was very fragrant and perfumy — almost like potpourri — and the tartness of the liqueur balanced beautifully with the sweetness of the soda. Though it was flavorful and distinct, I can also see this liqueur being very versatile and mixing well in a variety of holiday cocktails. I can't wait to surprise my family members with some custom cranberry cocktails this Thanksgiving!
Similar to a kombucha, this sparkling beverage sure packs a punch. Underneath the sweet pomegranate and berry flavors, I got tangy notes of apple cider vinegar that totally made my lips pucker. Even though it has a little kick, you can rest assured knowing it's totally alcohol-free and safe to sip during the workday. It was unique, a little sour, and an exciting spin on your traditional sparkling water. Though it was a little sharp for my everyday taste, a cool, crisp glass would really hit the spot after a walk or while cooking dinner!
Oh yeah, buckle up, because this is a wild one! Chocolate tequila — have you ever heard of such a thing? It was brand new to me! Well, it really delivered on its promise. It does taste and smell like chocolate (it reminded me of a chocolate-scented marker from those elementary school days). I went all in and tried it straight up, which was certainly an overwhelming flavor experience. I will be deferring to Salt's recipes online next time so I can enjoy it in a cocktail. I'm skeptical about how many of the recipes use orange juice, and I may opt to make my own cocktail creation with cherry seltzer as the main mixer. I think chocolate and cherry is more my speed. Anyway, this is sooooo wild; you just have to try it!
Between the cinnamon and the 7% ABV, this beer had me feeling quite warm and fuzzy! Pumpkin beers and apple cider (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) are some of my absolute favorite fall treats, so I get very excited when they hit the shelves each season. I loved how smooth and rich this beer was, and I couldn't help but feel like I was on a hayride, sitting by a fire, or carving a jack-o'-lantern when I smelled and tasted it.
Upon first whiff, I knew this cider was for me. I cracked open the can and was immediately greeted by the sweet aroma of an apple pie. Seriously, it was as if someone had lit a candle. I went in for a taste and was NOT disappointed. I promise you, this cider is apple pie in a can. They absolutely nailed the flavor! It felt more elevated than your average cider. I got notes of all the spices, and I even swore I could taste a buttery, flaky crust. Just dynamite!
I can't get enough of this drink! Coconut water is already so lovely and refreshing, but the added hint of apple gives this beverage a sweet, crisp, autumnal flavor that I just can't put down. It's nutty, fresh, and luscious, not to mention that pretty pink color! It's the perfect drink for transitioning from summer to fall.
The pack contains four incredible flavors: cranberry apple, cranberry grapefruit, cranberry orange, and classic cranberry. I couldn't help but fall in love with the cranberry apple flavor specifically because it perfectly captured the nostalgic, warm, comforting taste I associate with autumn. Sweet, yet tart, this vodka seltzer was like diving into your mom's homemade cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving (but with a fun, boozy kick!).
I always love my Oktoberfest beers! They're so light, golden, and refreshing. This Samuel Adams is certainly no exception! I immediately picked up on subtle notes of honey, then read the beer's formal description, which aptly states, "like a biscuit spread with honey." There's nothing I could tell you that would paint a more perfect picture than that. Imagine taking a bite of a fresh-baked biscuit slathered in honey butter. Now imagine drinking that! Yeah, this is why I love beer.
I'm a gal who likes a good Guinness. I appreciate a heartier stout beer, especially around the holidays and as the temperature drops. I was very excited to find a drink that replicates all the rich flavors of a dark beer but doesn't contain any alcohol. It was dense, dark, and bitter. How many more adjectives can I give it? It was also very robust and earthy. I think you get the picture!
16. Finally: Chido Pumpkin Spice Latte
As soon as I popped the can open, the smell reminded me of the general store inside a Cracker Barrel restaurant. Hear me out! You know how those stores are always full of seasonal knickknacks and candles? More times than not, "seasonal" smells contain cinnamon or other yummy spices. For some reason, this was a major nostalgic trigger for me, and I haven't even been to that many Cracker Barrels. I guess that's my long-winded way of saying this pumpkin spice latte drink smelled like a Yankee Candle and a cup of coffee. It tasted pretty identical to how it smelled, but I was surprised by the lack of an alcoholic aftertaste. Tequila isn't always the most subtle alcohol flavor, so I expected to get more of a bite from it. It was really smooth, and though I'm not a coffee drinker, I could totally see the appeal of drinking one of these around a campfire with my friends.
Whatever you choose to sip this season, I hope it brings you plenty of joy! Cheers! 🥂
Note: BuzzFeed received products to sample for free but was under no obligation to publish a positive review.