๐ Fall is Here! So I Tried Making Autumn Cocktails in the Dark, and Letโs Just Sayโฆ It Was *Interesting* ๐๐ธ
Itโs finally September 22, and that meansโฆ *Fall has officially arrived!* Time for cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and all the warm, comforting flavors weโve been waiting for. So I thought, why not celebrate the start of fall by doing something a little *unhinged* again? ๐ Last time, I made spooky cocktails in the dark for Halloween, and it was chaotic fun. This time, Iโm bringing the same energy, but with autumn-inspired cocktails. Letโs just say things got *real* cozyโฆ and messy. ๐
**The Vibe: Moody Fall Evening ๐๐ฏ๏ธ**
Imagine this: the room is dim, candles everywhere, cinnamon-scented smoke hanging in the air. Iโm ready to mix up some fall flavors but, just like last time, Iโm doing it all in the dark. No peeking, no lights, just me, my questionable mixology skills, and a dream of autumn perfection. ๐โจ
Mixing fall cocktails in the dark feels like trying to bake a pie without ever looking at the recipe. Itโs weirdly exciting, but also a bit stressful when you canโt tell if that bottle you grabbed is bourbon or, uh, apple cider vinegarโฆ yikes.
**Cocktail #1: Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned ๐๐ฅ**
First up, I had to kick things off with a cozy classic. The **Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned**. Itโs a mix of bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters, topped off with a cinnamon stick for that perfect fall touch. Sounds foolproof, right?
Yeah, until I tried to pour maple syrup in the dark and ended up with half of it on my hand. Not gonna lie, I briefly considered licking it off because *fall is about indulgence,* okay? ๐ But after getting my act together, I managed to stir up a drink that honestly tasted like a hug in a glass. Spicy, sweet, warmโbasically everything I love about fall.
**Perfect Movie to Pair:** *Practical Magic (1998)* โ A cozy, witchy vibe that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and bourbon warmth. ๐ฎ๐
**Cocktail #1: Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned ๐๐ฅ**
**Ingredients:**
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz maple syrup
2 dashes of aromatic bitters
Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
Orange twist (optional)
**Instructions:**
In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
Fill the glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
Strain into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange twist, if desired.
**Cocktail #2: Pumpkin Spice White Russian ๐โ**
I know, I knowโ*pumpkin spice* is basic, but I canโt help it, okay?! The **Pumpkin Spice White Russian** is everything good about fall in one creamy, boozy glass. Itโs got coffee liqueur, vodka, and a homemade pumpkin spice syrup that makes you feel like youโre sipping on a liquid autumn candle.
Exceptโฆ making it in the dark meant I accidentally doubled the coffee liqueur. ๐ฌ So what started as a cozy pumpkin drink quickly turned into โletโs stay up all night with way too much caffeine.โ Still, the pumpkin spice flavor was *on point*, and thatโs what matters, right?
**Perfect Movie to Pair:** *Sleepy Hollow (1999)* โ Dark, eerie, and perfectly autumnal. Plus, youโll need the caffeine to stay awake through all the twists. ๐โ๏ธ
**Cocktail #2: Pumpkin Spice White Russian ๐โ**
**Ingredients:**
1 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
2 oz cream (or milk)
1 oz homemade pumpkin spice syrup (see below)
Pumpkin pie spice (for garnish)
**Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup:**
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
**Instructions for Syrup:**
In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice.
Heat over medium until sugar dissolves, then let simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain and cool.
**Instructions for Cocktail:**
In a glass filled with ice, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, and pumpkin spice syrup.
Top with cream and stir gently.
Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top for garnish.
**Cocktail #3: Spiked Apple Cider ๐๐**
Next up, weโre getting *real* classic with a **Spiked Apple Cider**. Itโs hard to go wrong hereโhot apple cider, a splash of spiced rum, a cinnamon stick, and an orange slice. Sounds simple, but trying to heat up cider in the dark? Letโs just say there was a moment where I thought Iโd set the kitchen on fire. ๐ฅ
Luckily, I avoided disaster, and the result was like drinking liquid apple pie. So warm, so comforting. *Would drink again* while wrapped in a blanket, watching the leaves fall outside.
**Perfect Movie to Pair:** *When Harry Met Sally (1989)* โ Itโs not horror, but itโs cozy, itโs fall, and itโs a classic. Sip this cider while swooning over Central Park in autumn. ๐๐
**Cocktail #3: Spiked Apple Cider ๐๐**
**Ingredients:**
2 cups apple cider
1 oz spiced rum
1 cinnamon stick
Orange slice (for garnish)
**Instructions:**
In a small saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium heat.
Once warm, stir in the spiced rum and add the cinnamon stick.
Serve in a warm mug, garnished with an orange slice and an extra cinnamon stick if desired.
**Cocktail #4: The Harvest Moon ๐๐**
For the final drink, I wanted to get a little ~fancy~. The **Harvest Moon** combines pear vodka, ginger beer, and fresh pear juice. Itโs light, crisp, and kinda feels like the first cool breeze of the season.
Mixing it in the dark, though, was a *disaster*. I might have poured ginger beer *everywhere*. ๐ But once I got it together, the drink was *chefโs kiss*. It had that perfect balance of fall flavors with a hint of ginger spice.
**Perfect Movie to Pair:** *Over the Garden Wall (2014)* โ This oneโs *not* a movie, but a short series thatโs *pure* autumn aesthetic. Itโll hit you right in the fall feels, and this crisp cocktail pairs perfectly. ๐๐
**Cocktail #4: The Harvest Moon ๐๐**
**Ingredients:**
1.5 oz pear vodka
3 oz ginger beer
1 oz fresh pear juice
Fresh pear slices (for garnish)
**Instructions:**
Fill a glass with ice.
Pour in the pear vodka and fresh pear juice.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with fresh pear slices.
**Bonus Drink: Caramel Apple Martini ๐๐ธ**
Okay, I couldnโt resist adding this extra one. The **Caramel Apple Martini** is ridiculously fun to makeโand drink. Mix caramel vodka, apple liqueur, and a splash of butterscotch schnapps, then garnish with a caramel-dipped apple slice. Itโs like going to the fall fair, but in liquid form. *Just maybe donโt do it in the dark, like me, unless you want sticky hands for days.* ๐
**Perfect Movie to Pair:** *Coraline (2009)* โ Slightly creepy, slightly whimsical, and filled with fall vibes. Sip this while watching Coraline explore her spooky world. ๐๐ธ๏ธ
**Bonus Drink: Caramel Apple Martini ๐๐ธ**
**Ingredients:**
1.5 oz caramel vodka
1 oz apple liqueur
1 oz butterscotch schnapps
Caramel sauce (for garnish)
Caramel-dipped apple slice (for garnish)
**Instructions:**
Rim a martini glass with caramel sauce.
In a shaker filled with ice, combine caramel vodka, apple liqueur, and butterscotch schnapps.
Shake well and strain into the prepared martini glass.
Garnish with a caramel-dipped apple slice.
**Would I Do It Again?**
Look, mixing fall cocktails in the dark was pure chaos, but it was also *so much fun*. Fall is all about coziness and comfort, and this whole experience was like turning up the adventure factor. Sure, I may have spilled more drinks than I actually mixed, but the ones I did manage to make were totally worth it.
**Have any favorite fall drinks I should try? Let me know in the comments! I promise next time Iโll *try* to leave the lights onโฆ maybe. ๐๐ธ๐**
**Happy Fall, Reddit! Hereโs to cozy nights, warm drinks, and lots of movie marathons. Cheers! ๐๐น๐ฌ**
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