Just as we bundle up when the air turns crisp in the fall, bartenders add layers to autumn cocktails. They stir in warm, dark spirits, as well as comforting spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and clove. Some also include the bounties of autumn’s harvest in their drinks, and even the essence of smoke.
Here are 11 seasonal pick-me-ups to sip in Atlanta.
Credit: Whitney Flockhart Photography
Credit: Whitney Flockhart Photography
Gatecrasher at Third Door
Marietta’s Third Door offers a menu of Prohibition-style cocktails and a speakeasy vibe. In the bar’s Gatecrasher, the mix of rye whiskey, amaro, Pedro Jimenez sherry and black pepper is almost velvety smooth and a little bitter, with a touch of heat. A dramatic spritz of peaty scotch brings subtle smokiness, making the big, boozy sipper a welcome visitor at the table.
131 Church St. NE, Marietta. 470-361-0370, thethirddoor.net.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
PS Alexander at Little Bear
Can we talk about fall drinks without including pumpkin spice? Summerhill’s Little Bear always is playful with its menu descriptions, but the resulting flavors are seriously inspiring, and show creative and skilled technique. This riff on a Brandy Alexander is based around crème de cacao, made with husks from Xocolatl Chocolate. Brandy is infused with the seeds, innards and tops of local and seasonal Woodlands Gardens pumpkins — scraps that normally would go to waste. Overproof rum cream and a dash of spice add to the richness.
71 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-500-5396, littlebearatl.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Spiked apple cider from Nakato
This drink combines the fall tradition of North Georgia apple picking with the dry, smoky tradition of Japanese whisky. A sliver of peak season apple rests atop this yin-yang mixture. With a delicate silkiness, the froth of egg white brings all the ingredients together in perfect harmony.
1776 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta. 404-873-6582, nakatorestaurant.com.
Credit: Terry Koval
Credit: Terry Koval
Sweater Weather from Deer and the Dove
Bar Director Matt Watkins’ nutty, herb-spiced take on a Manhattan aptly is named Sweater Weather. The concoction, which brings to mind leather-bound books and pipe tobacco, has a taste only an expert could create. He stirs together an enchanting balance of Asheville-made Eda Rhyne Rustic Nocino, sherry and 1821 Havana & Hide bitters, along with rye whiskey.
155 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-748-4617, deerdove.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Ace in the Hole at Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
Jonathan Fox said the addition of scotch to a traditional bourbon cocktail helps add another dimension to the Ace in the Hole, offered on the Westside location’s drinks menu. The mix of bourbon, Hogshead scotch, Meletti amaro and Old-Fashioned bitters has a surprising amount of depth, for such a simple construction. It’s rich, aromatic and almost spicy — a perfect complement to Fox Bros.’ menu of smoked meats and veggies.
204 Chattahoochee Row, Atlanta. 770-755-5099, foxbrosbbq.com.
La Madrilène at Bulla Gastrobar
Bulla’s version of a whiskey sour is packed with warming spices. Mingling together are Old Forester bourbon, house-made apple-cinnamon-infused syrup, grated cinnamon and Amarena Italian black cherry, all balanced with the addition of Manzanilla sherry.
60 11th St. NE, Atlanta. 404-900-6926, bullagastrobar.com.
Credit: Kevin Bragg
Credit: Kevin Bragg
Back to Black at Southern Belle
In Southern Belle’s Back to Black, Averna amaro, rye whiskey, bitters, and Szechuan and black pepper cherry fuse for a clever, thoughtful variation on a reverse Manhattan. The drink swaps amaro for vermouth as well as the proportions with rye.
1043 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-698-3961, southernbelleatl.com.
Credit: Sterling Graves
Credit: Sterling Graves
Applewood at Aziza
Bar Manager David Chapman’s cocktail menu reflects the memorable spices of Aziza’s main dishes. In the Applewood, which is richly layered and seamless, Chapman trades the vermouth of a Manhattan for pommeau de Normandie (a French apple-based aperitif), oloroso sherry and Luxardo amaro Abano added to rye whiskey. The drink is garnished with a sliver of Georgia apple, compressed with lemon, honey, apple brandy and warm spices.
1170 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-968-9437, aziza-restaurant.com.
Credit: Nick D’Andria
Credit: Nick D’Andria
Granny’s Harvest at Wood’s Chapel BBQ
A Granny’s Harvest is a simple, homey, seasonal complement to a bowl of the restaurant’s Brunswick stew. Sip on spiced rum, apple cider, lemon and rich simple syrup for homespun vibes.
86 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-522-3000, woodschapelbbq.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Espresstacio at the Blind Pig Parlour Bar
This espresso martini is dark, creamy and velvety. The nostalgic drink, which is making a comeback, gets a touch of nuttiness from pistachio simple syrup.
128 E. Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-848-9100, theblindpigparlourbar.com.
Credit: Angela Hansberger
Credit: Angela Hansberger
Holy Smokes at Atlas
Swirling together in a pecan wood-smoked glass are bourbon, Cardamaro, Benedictine and Aztec Chocolate bitters. It looks like an Old-Fashioned, but is a spice-persistent, boozy way to warm up. It tastes like the aroma of burning leaves on a crisp fall evening under a full moon.
88 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta. 404-600-6471, atlasrerstaurant.com.
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