Autumn is in full swing. The weather is crisp, the leaves are falling, and everyone's buzzing with the anticipation of the coming holidays. We've been waiting all year to taste the comforting flavors of cinnamon, pumpkin, and apple, especially in our favorite cold-weather cocktails. But, some days we need to be on top of our game. Fall mocktails are the perfect way to fit in all the indulging you want and still do everything on your to-do list.
Whether you're being an inclusive host or simply love cocktails, these non-alcoholic drinks have all the fall flavors you crave. Shall we?
Magic Apple Mocktail
This mocktail recipe was crafted with Autumn in mind: something that can be enjoyed hot or cold, served up or in a warm coffee mug. Apple, cinnamon, bitters, and Ritual Whiskey Alternative hit all the marks.
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 2 oz. apple cider or juice
- 2 dashes bitters
- Cinnamon stick
- Apple slice
Combine first three ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Stir until cold. Pour over fresh ice, garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice, and serve.
Want your apple mocktail hot? Heat the apple cider or juice on the stovetop (or microwave if you’re in a hurry) and skip the ice for something you'd want to drink around the campfire.
Death & Axes
Death and taxes might be the only two certain things in life (or so thought Benjamin Franklin), but so is how great this fall mocktail will look at your Halloween party. This recipe combines fruity citrus with the spicy fall flavors of bitters and cinnamon. Keep it spooky this October!
- 1 1/2 oz Ritual Rum Alternative
- 1 oz. cinnamon syrup
- 1 oz. blood orange juice
- 1/3 oz. lime juice
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- axe swizzle stick garnish
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a rocks glass and top with ice. Add garnish...and another dash of Peychaud’s for that spooky blood-splatter effect.
Apple Cider Spiced Rum Punch
Rum punch is stereotypically a summer drink, but this apple cider version is perfect for keeping in the fall spirit. The citrusy apple and orange flavors are perfectly complemented by fall flavors like nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Recipe serves: 2
- 3 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 large orange
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for rim (optional)
- sage leaf for garnish (optional)
Add apple cider, Ritual Rum Alternative, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks to a pitcher or extra-large cocktail mixer with ice and stir. Slice orange in half and run the inside of the orange along the rim of two Old Fashioned glasses. Dip the wet rim into cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (this step is optional). Squeeze the fresh orange juice into your mocktail and serve in a prepared glass with ice. Garnish with sage (optional) and enjoy it cold!
Basic Witch
Any recipe with pumpkin spice and orgeat is guaranteed to be delicious, but the Basic Witch is even better: you can drink as many as you want and still get up in time for 6 am pilates. As an autumn cocktail should, it has a cinnamon stick garnish that we like to pretend is a little witch's broom. Enjoy.
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. pumpkin spice syrup
- 1/4 oz. orgeat
- freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon stick garnish
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Pour into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
The Drink Abides
What says fall better than a toasted marshmallow cocktail? For the sweet tooths out there, this scrumptious concoction is creamy, chocolaty, and totally insta-worthy.
- 1 1/2 oz. Ritual rum alternative
- 1/4 oz. cold brew concentrate
- 3/4 oz. chocolate syrup
- 1/2 oz. graham cracker-infused heavy cream
- Garnish: roasted marshmallow
Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe. Add garnish.
Cozy Fall Highball
Crisp, refreshing, and spicy, this sparkling beverage tastes like the original but is made with Ritual non-alcoholic spirits. Enjoy a mocktail that's got just as much bite as the real thing.
- 1 1/2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1/2 oz. pandan syrup
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Ginger beer
Combine all ingredients minus the ginger beer in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with ginger beer (about 4 oz) and enjoy.
Dark Seas
Celebrate spooky season with a drink that sets the tone. The black color comes from activated charcoal powder, so it's healthy and delicious. Ritual Rum Alternative, pineapple, and lime taste like summer in a glass that looks like Halloween.
- 1 1/2 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 2 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
- 3/4 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. demerara syrup
- 1/4 tsp. activated charcoal powder
- Pineapple fronds for garnish.
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
Blood Orange Grog
Grog is a classic winter drink in some parts of the world. In other parts, it's known as nothing more than a diluted rum drink. Nevertheless, Grog is one way that old pirates used to stay warm on the seas, and you can use it to stay warm from the autumn cold. This take on a Grog adds a bit more sophistication and sobriety to an old classic.
- 1.5 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 3/4 oz. blood orange juice
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. vanilla syrup
- 1 tsp. grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters (or non-alc bitters)
- Blood orange wheel for garnish
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
Orange Hot Toddy
Citrusy zest from orange and lemon entwine flawlessly with the fiery edge of cinnamon and clove in this festive blend. Whether you're after a natural cold remedy or just want something to sip on after Thanksgiving dinner, Hot Toddies do the trick. Upholding our tradition of zero alcohol, we've replaced whiskey with Ritual Whiskey Alternative. So, go ahead and let the toddies flow —you'll feel as good as new tomorrow.
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1/2 oz. orange juice
- 2 oz. hot water
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. honey
- Cinnamon stick, orange wheel, and clove for garnish
Squeeze orange juice and lemon juice into a warm glass (pour hot water into glass then discard). Add Ritual Whiskey Alternative. Add honey and stir. Garnish with cinnamon stick, orange wheel, and clove.
Flannel Daiquiri
The whole point of a fall cocktail is to warm up, right? But, your drink doesn't have to be hot to make you feel like you just put on a fuzzy flannel.
- 1 1/2 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 3/4 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. grapefruit juice
- 3/4 oz. spiced syrup
- Star anise for garnish
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe. Add garnish.
Them Apples
A non-alcoholic drink with apple cider, Zero Proof rum, and allspice - How bout them apples? After you go apple picking this fall slice one up and throw it on top of this fall cocktail. It doesn't get much more festive than that.
- 1 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 2 oz. apple cider
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. allspice syrup
- Fresh grated nutmeg & apple slice for garnish.
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
Spicy Toddy Ginger
Another toddy for cold November nights. If it's a unique fall flavor you crave, you can end your search with this spicy ginger mocktail. Packed with tangy orange juice, zesty ginger syrup, and perfectly blended Ritual Tequila Alternative, this drink is dancing with flavor.
- 2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
- 1 1/4 oz. orange juice
- 3/4 oz. ginger syrup
- 3-4 oz. hot water
- Pineapple fronds for garnish
Combine all ingredients minus the hot water in a mug. Top with hot water, stir gently, and add garnish.
Off-Season Pina Colada
Your palate will savor the familiar sweetness of pineapple, playfully tied in with warming Ritual Rum Alternative. To bring the classic autumn feel, this cocktail incorporates a dash of pumpkin spice coconut syrup. Your friends will be torn between donning a sweater or a swimsuit.
- 2 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 oz. pumpkin spice coconut syrup
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Fresh grated nutmeg, pineapple fronds for garnish.
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
Whiskey Bourbon Smash
Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking day of the year, but you don't have to stop indulging just because you've hit your limit. This Whiskey Bourbon Smash can be made low-abv or no-abv by swapping whiskey for our Zero Proof alternative and/or swapping triple sec for more OJ.
- 3/4 cup Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 1/2 cup ice (plus more for serving)
- 2 tbsp. preserves or jam of choice (we went with organic raspberry)
- 2 tbsp. bourbon
- 1 tbsp. triple sec
- 2-3 tbsp. orange juice
- Orange segments
- A splash of club soda
Add ice, preserves, bourbon, triple sec, and orange juice to a shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour into serving glass with a few ice cubes and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with orange slices and enjoy. Repeat for more drinks.
Darn the Weather
For cold autumn days when you miss the warm summer sunshine, you need a drink that is just as bummed about the weather as you. Make it low abv or no abv with the option to swap in or out gin, vermouth, and triple sec. Substitute unsweetened grape juice for the vermouth and orange juice for the triple sec if your heart desires.
- 2 oz. Ritual gin alternative
- 1 oz. Sweet vermouth
- 1 oz. Orange juice
- 3 Dashes triple sec
- Orange twist, optional
Combine all in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.
Rum Eggnog
Fall's chill calls for something warm, hearty, and fragrant. Merrily indulge in a non-alcoholic version of this traditional holiday treat.
Serves two
- 4 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Add to two glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Blood Orange Whiskey Smash
Blood orange brings out the complex flavors of our Ritual Whiskey Alternative in this delicious low abv whiskey cocktail! Sub in some non-alcoholic champagne for a completely Zero Proof version.
- 2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
- 3/4 oz. maple syrup
- 3 blood orange quarters
- 4 mint leaves
- Ice
- Champagne (to top)
Muddle blood orange quarters and mint in a shaker. Add ice, maple syrup, and Ritual Whiskey Alternative. Shake and strain into a glass with ice. Top with champagne.
Bartender Bonus
Bartending is a lifestyle whether it's from a busy bar or right in your kitchen. If you really want to take your non-alcoholic cocktails to the next level, we've got some simple syrup recipes that complement the full scope of fall flavors. With notes like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and apple, these easy-to-make simple syrups can turn your everyday mocktails into fall-infused masterpieces.
Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin
- 2 tsp. good quality cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. cloves
Combine all ingredients over the stove in a saucepan, set to medium heat. Stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour through a mesh strainer to remove any chunkiness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 cinnamon sticks, broken into large pieces
Bring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool. Discard cinnamon sticks, strain into a clean glass jar, and cover. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Ginger Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1-inch fresh ginger chopped
- Mint leaves
Boil water, honey, and ginger over heat. Simmer 1-2 minutes, remove from heat, and add mint. Wait 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger and mint.
Orange Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Combine the water, sugar, and orange juice in a small saucepan and heat over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup is clear, take the pan off the heat and pour the syrup in a mug to cool to room temperature. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge until use. The syrup will keep, tightly sealed in the fridge, for at least 2 weeks.
Cardamom Simple Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups of water
- 6 cracked black cardamom pods
Simmer all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature and fine strain into a clean glass bottle. Cover and keep refrigerated for up to 2 months.
