As the leaves change, so do cocktail menus in San Joaquin County.
Explore some of our favorite festive cocktails showcasing signature fall flavors.
Towne House Restaurant
Apple Bourbon Smash
Scotch lends warmth to this cinnamon and apple infused celebratory libation.
Ingredients: 2 oz. Chopped Apples, 1 oz. Cinnamon Syrup, 1 oz. Blended Scotch (Chivas Regal 12 Year), ¾ oz. Domaine de Canton, ¼ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice, two oz. Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider
Directions: Muddle apple and scotch in the bottom of a glass. Pour the remaining ingredients into the apple mixture and shake. Pour over an ice-filled bucket glass. Garnish with three apple cubes on a bamboo toothpick.
Bartender Tip: Make your own cinnamon simple syrup. Combine equal parts water and sugar until it reaches a boiling point. Add the ground cinnamon and simmer for a couple of minutes.
What Teresa loves about this drink? “Everything! I love the different layers of flavor from the ginger to the cinnamon to the fresh apples. I also love the Scotch…Chivas Regal 12 Year is smooth, subtle, and sexy.”
Know Place
Paper Plane
Four quality ingredients combine to yield an elegant and potent cocktail finished with a classic twist.
Ingredients: Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, and lemon juice.
Directions: Combine equal parts Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker. Shake vigorously and serve in an old-fashioned martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
What to expect: This drink has all the fall feels. The bourbon has hints of vanilla and cinnamon while the Amaro is packed with aromatics of orange peel, mountain herbs, and honey.
Bartender Tip: Be sure to chill the glass ahead of time, use quality ingredients, and twist the lemon peel to release its aromas.
What Jessica loves most about this cocktail? “It has all the Fall feels, with the perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, but is still refreshing enough to enjoy on a warm day.”
Wine Social
Vin Brule
Primitivo wine warmed with mulling spices and Pomegranate complete this quintessential fall sipper.
Ingredients: One package Blu Pomegranate Mix (available at Wine Social), One bottle Sorelle Winery 2013 Primitivo, ½ bottle Cran-Pomegranate Ocean Spray Juice, One bag of Mulling Spices, Orange Slices.
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large beverage container and allow the mixture to mull for a couple of hours. Serve in a wine glass with an orange slice over the rim.
Bartender Tip: Keep it simple. Use a fruit forward Lodi wine like Sorelle’s 2013 Primitivo and don’t forget to garnish with the orange slice!
Why does the staff at Wine Social like making the Vin Brule? “What isn’t to like? It’s a grown up version of the hot apple cider served up to us as kids…only this one has Lodi Wine in it!“
Waterloo Restaurant
Drunken Apple
It doesn’t get more apple pie than this comforting cocktail of warm apple cider combined with Fireball. Manufacturer guaranteed to spice up your holiday.
Ingredients: One c. Hot Apple Cider, 2 oz. Fireball, Fresh Whipped Cream, Cinnamon, Sugar, and Sliced Apple
Directions: Heat up apple cider and add fireball to mix. Garnish with freshly made whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and garnish with a sliced apple.
Bartender Tip: Be sure to use lots of Fireball!!
What Mo loves most about the Drunken Apple? “It’s simple to make and we enjoy it each year at Thanksgiving with family. And it’s really good!”
Rosewood
Pomegranate Jalapeno Martini
The perfect balance of sweet and spice rounds out this lip-puckering pomegranate jalapeno cocktail capable of warming you up on a chilly night.
Ingredients: 3 Olives Pomegranate Vodka, Triple Sec, POM Juice, a dash of Simple Syrup, and Fresh Jalapenos.
Directions: Gently muddle the vodka and jalapenos in the bottom of the glass (keep in mind the more you muddle, the spicier it will be). Combine the rest of the ingredients, shake and strain into a traditional martini glass. Garnish with a fresh jalapeno.
Bartender Tip: Remember that this cocktail has freshly muddled jalapenos! While the spice is finished with the sweet of the pomegranate, it is not for the faint of heart.
Why Shannon loves this martini? “Because just looking at it gets me in the mood for Holiday parties! It’s a daring seasonal twist on the basic Cosmopolitan.”
Midgley’s Public House
Apple Brandy Sidecar
This cool weather cocktail combines apple infused brandy and layers of citrus to create a bright but soothing potion of goodness.
Ingredients: Apple Infused Brandy, Fresh Lemon Juice, Cognac, Triple Sec, and a Splash of Orange Juice.
Directions: Coat rim of the glass with fine sugar. Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker and strain into an old-fashioned martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Bartender Tip: Be sure to use quality ingredients, it makes all the difference!
What Maria says sets this cocktail apart? “No question, it’s the Midgley’s apple infused brandy made in-house. It is amazing!”