Solve your fall cocktail cravings with 10 seasonal drinks

Say so long to summer’s light concoctions. This season’s drinks are all about rich flavors like apple, chestnut, chai and, of course, pumpkin. Whether you’re looking for a way to warm up a chilly evening or wind down for the weekend, we’ve found 10 of the city’s top cocktails for getting you in the autumn spirit.

The Monkey’s Fist

Made with Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whiskey and Krupnikas spiced honey liqueur, shaken with fresh lemon and Woodford Reserve’s barrel-aged spiced cherry bitters.

Find it at Pint Central.

YAMhattan

Served chilled in a martini glass, the smooth drink is a potent twist on sweet potato pie, featuring Old Forester 86 bourbon, cardamom honey and sweet potato simple syrup.

Find it at The Cowfish.

Carriage Cooler

Made with Calvados Apple Brandy, organic apple nectar and sarsaparilla, with a sprig of rosemary.

Find it at Soul Gastrolounge.

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Burning Leaves

This cold drink is a mix of Vida mezcal, green chartreuse, fresh sour mix, and cherry bitters. But the seasonal cincher is the addition of a sweet fall syrup, made with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove.

Find it at Heist Brewery.

Stags Sangria

Brandy, cherry liqueur, lemon, orange, apples, cinnamon and brown sugar are added to Italian red wine for a boozy drink.

Find it at Stagioni.

Rum & Rummer

The smooth sweetness of vanilla liqueur is a mellowing match for the spicy kick of the chai tea simple syrup. Mixed over ice with Queen Charlotte’s Reserve Rum, and served strained in a Nick & Nora cocktail glass.

Find it at The Ritz-Carlton’s Punch Room.

Nuts and Honey

Housemade black walnut bitters and the restaurant’s chestnut-infused Queen Charlotte’s Reserve Rum give the iced drink an inviting nutty flavor. But the Krupnikas Spiced Honey Liqueur and a cinnamon and ginger syrup offer a hint of heat.

Find it at Heirloom.

This just isn't any @opentable Diner's Choice Award. Today @heirloomrestnc was named one of the top 100 restaurants in the country for foodies by Open Table diners. Alongside restaurants like @curatetapasbar @townsmanboston @mvinkla and Manresa by @davidkinch restaurants we have so much respect for we are beyond thrilled our guests think so highly of us and we will continue to push daily for them. Thank you to our guests and @opentable for this honor. Link to the full list is in my profile.

A post shared by Clark Barlowe (@clarkbarlowe) on Sep 1, 2015 at 6:49pm PDT

Punk’n Pecan Mule

Created with a housemade pumpkin syrup and cinnamon tincture, mixed with Cathead Pecan Vodka and ginger beer.

Find it at Crepe Cellar.

Pear + Ginger

Made with Absolut Pears, ginger liqueur, spiced pear syrup and fresh lemon.

Find it at The Asbury.

Yammy Davis Jr

This mix of Jack Daniels, Cointreau, sweet potato syrup and lemon juice packs a punch.

Find it at Good Food on Montford.

Is it 5:30 yet? ⌛️ Our cocktails on tap will be here waiting for you! #tgif #goodfood #gooddrinks #cocktailsontap #cltdrinks #cltfood #cltdining #cltcocktails #clt #weloveclt #charlottesgotalot #mycharlotte #eatdrinkclt #goodfoodclt

A post shared by Good Food on Montford (@goodfoodclt) on Oct 23, 2015 at 12:07pm PDT

Photos: JUSTINdPHOTOS.com, Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Solve your fall cocktail cravings with 10 seasonal drinks."