Ah autumn, a season focused on cosy nights, trying new pumpkin carving designs, the shedding of leaves and Hygge. It’s a season we look forward to and one we really take in its stride. There’s no better feeling than huddling around a crackling bonfire in autumn or trying out tasty new drinks that will warm our cockles.
We’ve put our heads together to bring you delicious autumn drinks recipes that you can make at home, from warming, non-alcoholic beverages to fancy autumnal cocktails. Yes, we know, you’re excited about this one, so we’ll dive straight in…
Warming autumn drinks to make
With the weather changing and the leaves falling, you just want to wrap up in your dressing gown and feel all toasty with a hot autumn drink. If you’re a sucker for a warming drink sitting by the fire, you’re in luck, we’ve got a brilliant selection of delicious drinks that are filled to the brim with flavour.
Pumpkin spiced latte
How could we discuss autumn drinks without a mention of the all-important, forever-craved pumpkin-spiced latte? This trick-or-treat-inspired tipple marks the beginning of autumn, so being able to make it at home is a great trick to have up your sleeve.
As well as offering heart-warming Halloween birthday cards to treasure this season, we also know how to treat your tastebuds for the occasion. So if you’re wondering how to make a pumpkin-spiced latte, we’re here to make your dreams come true!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp of pumpkin purée
- A pinch of ground ginger
- 250ml of milk (or plant-based alternatives)
- 30ml of espresso
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 2 dashes of ground cinnamon – one for the latte, one to garnish (or you can use pumpkin spice)
How to make a pumpkin spiced latte
Get your pumpkin purée and pop it in a heatproof mug (or glass), just make sure it’s a fairly big one to cram in all the goodness! Next, you’ll need to add the ground ginger, nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon, mixing this in with your espresso.
Grab a saucepan, pour in the milk you’re using, and boil it on low heat until it starts to froth and steam. Once ready, pour the mixture into your mug (or glass) and make sure you transfer any remaining froth.
Using a spoon, stir your pumpkin spiced latte and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon – or actual pumpkin spice across the top. And there you have it, you’ll be a whizz at making the most popular autumn drink around!
Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte
Spiky slow-cooked hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is a real autumn drink, popular cafes like Starbucks and Costa bring out new flavours in the fall, but what if we told you there’s a new way to make it for yourself? All hail the slow cooker, which brings even richer flavour to this hot drink of dreams.
Ingredients
- 1l of milk (or plant-based alternatives)
- 300ml of double cream
- 100g milk chocolate, chopped
- 200g dark chocolate, chopped
- Fluffy marshmallows and whipped cream, to serve
- Grated chocolate (this makes it spiky), to garnish.
Get your thick double cream and milk and pour it into your slow cooker, before adding the milk and dark chocolate – this is the start of something beautiful. Pop the cover over the top and set the timer to cook for two hours on a low heat, and remember to stir it halfway through.
Before the full two hours are up, remove the cooker’s lid and stir it up. You can then set a timer for 15 more minutes to keep it bubbling. When it’s all cooked and ready to drink, grab a ladle (or a small measuring jug if you don’t have one) and transfer the chocolatey goodness into mugs.
Here comes the best part: add dollops of cream on top of this yummy autumn drink and sprinkle marshmallows on top. Do the same with the grated chocolate to create the spiky, bark-like look. Sip up and enjoy!
Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-hot-chocolate
Alcoholic autumn drinks
Looking to mix it up with some tasty tipples to enjoy this season? These alcoholic autumn cocktails will give you that fall feeling, and you’ll just love the different flavours running through each one.
A fragrant hot toddy
First up is the traditional hot toddy, a warming autumn cocktail packed with the flavours we typically associate with the cosiest months of the year. Easy to make (and master), this autumn drink is perfect for when your pals pop over, or for you to just enjoy as a nice little nightcap.
Ingredients
- 50ml of whisky
- 200ml of boiling water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 juiced lemon
- ½ a lemon, sliced to garnish
- 3 tsp honey for added sweetness!
Start making your tipple by mixing the sweet honey with your favourite whisky – just whisk the two together before splitting the liquid in half in two heatproof glasses (heatproof is key here).
Next, break your fragrant cinnamon stick in half, put each half in your glasses, and then pour in 200ml of boiling water. Juice your lemons and add a dash to each glass to really get that zesty flavour, just give it a quick taste to see whether or not you need a bit extra.
Once you’ve garnished your glasses with a slice of lemon, your warming autumn drink is ready to slurp. You can even stud two cloves in your lemons before serving if you like, but it’s just as tasty without.
Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/hot-toddy
Spiced apple fizz
The Aperol spritz might be as orange in colour as the leaves in this season, but there’s a new contender in town: the spiced apple fizz. To feel like you’re apple bobbing without the mess, try one of these amazing autumnal cocktails.
Ingredients
- 50ml of Aquavit (but you can use gin as an equivalent)
- 200ml of sparkling wine
- 4 tbsp of soft cloudy apple juice
- A handful of ice cubes
- ½ of a small apple, finely sliced
- ¼ of a lemon, squeezed
- 2 dashes of ground cinnamon.
First things first, you’ll need to pour your Aquavit (or gin – depending on which you prefer) into a cocktail shaker. And you can also use a large jam jar if you don’t own a shaker yourself.
Add the squeezed lemon juice along with the apple juice, a dash of cinnamon and your ice cubes and give the mixture a good shake. Then strain this autumn drink into two glasses (flute glasses work best) and pour in the sparkling wine for ultimate fizziness. Pop the apple slices in your tipple (and the rest of the cinnamon) and viola, you’ve got a spritz of dreams.
Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-apple-snaps-fizz
Now you’re an expert in making autumn drinks, more and more of your friends (and family) will be dropping by for a cheeky pumpkin-spiced latte. And if you’ve revealed your newfound love for making autumnal cocktails, expect plenty of knocks at your door this season!
Like what you see? Have a read through our other handy how-to guides and become an expert in a whole range of topics. You can even find out what your go-to drink says about you.
