How To Incorporate Gin Into Your Favorite Fall Cocktails

How to pick the right type of gin for the season

There can be significant differences among various gin brands. When it comes to fall cocktails, Justin Lavenue advises, "It's important to do your homework and discover which gins feature those classic autumn flavors in their botanical mix." He highlights spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, cloves, mace, and star anise as ideal for the season. For herbs, he suggests rosemary, sage, ginger, and licorice. Some gins even include nut flavors, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts, which also pair wonderfully with fall. To enhance the warmth of your cocktail, consider a gin infused with peppercorns.

The most prevalent type of gin is London dry gin, which is often used in the best dirty martinis. Some London dry gins have citrus infusions, which may be a bold choice for a negroni but aren't suitable for fall. As Lavenue points out, "I would steer clear of gins that have a strong citrus and fruit blend, as those flavors are reminiscent of spring and summer." Instead, he recommends aged gins like Ransom Old Tom and Botanist Rested Gin. "The woodiness these gins acquire during aging complements other fall flavors, creating a harmonious autumnal botanical profile." Lastly, be cautious with sloe gins, as they aren't technically classified as gin.

Pair these ingredients with gin for immaculate autumn vibes

After selecting the ideal gin for the season, the next step is to think about what to mix it with. Luckily, Justin Lavenue finds this task quite simple. "It's tough to find something that doesn't pair well with gin," he enthusiastically notes. His preferred spirit to combine with gin is whiskey, especially scotch. Like most gins, whiskey is made from grain and has a robust flavor. Lavenue suggests a ratio of one part whiskey to three parts gin, which results in a taste reminiscent of a fine-aged gin.

Liqueurs—sweetened and flavored spirits—are essential in mixology, and there are numerous options that feature autumn flavors to complement gin. Lavenue highlights Bénédictine, a French liqueur infused with saffron, cinnamon, fir cones, and juniper, as an excellent choice. It shares many flavor profiles with gin while adding extra complexity to the drink. He also recommends Allspice Dram and Amaro as superb liqueurs for fall cocktails, as they both incorporate similar seasonal botanicals found in many gins.

For the simplest additions to gin cocktails, consider fortified wines. "Every type of vermouth, sherry, Madeira, port, and so on makes fantastic modifiers when paired with gin," Lavenue explains. He emphasizes that these flavors naturally align with the season, often providing that enticing, nutty finish that you experience after sipping a fall cocktail.