Drink menus in Atlanta are transforming from summer pinks and lavenders to the rich color scheme of the season, complemented by warming spices and perhaps a hint of smoke. Here are a dozen autumnal pick-me-ups to sip on during peak season in Atlanta.
Brown thrasher at Eleanor’s
The speakeasy vibes can feel quite autumnal when sipping the classic brown thrasher at Eleanor’s, tucked behind Muss & Turner’s. 4 Roses Bourbon sweetened with maple syrup, lifted by lemon and tempered by bittersweet Amaro Averna is offset by a housemade smoked apple shrub that puts everything in fall flavored harmony. 1675 Cumberland Parkway SE, Smyrna. 770-434-1114, mussandturners.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Fight Club
Credit: Courtesy of Fight Club
Bourbon campfire cider at Flight Club
Flight Club’s bourbon campfire cider has everything but a flannel shirt to conjure autumnal vibes. Buffalo Trace bourbon lightly sweetened with maple syrup and brightly offset with lemon juice and apple cider comes garnished with a toasty marshmallow, smoked rosemary and a cinnamon sugar rim. 1055 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-301-8003, flightclubdartsusa.com.
Butternut squash at Gunshow
Beverage director Jeramie Eubanks names cocktails for the local ingredients used in each. Butternut squash shakes together savory toasted rice-infused whiskey with a house-made butternut squash sorghum syrup, the spice of gochujang and a citrus bolt of lemon juice. It’s strained over a large King Cube ice cube with a drop of saline solution. 924 Garrett St. SE, Atlanta. 404-380-1886, gunshowatl.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Third Door
Credit: Courtesy of Third Door
Harvest moon at Third Door
Just right for the fleeting season, harvest moon beckons with bourbon, apple brandy and pear liqueur balanced by lemon juice and simple syrup. 131 Church St., Marietta. 470-361-0370, thethirddoor.net.
Credit: Angela Hansberger for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Credit: Angela Hansberger for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hoola hoop at Kindred
Georgia-distilled Longleaf vodka is stirred together with thyme, fig, lemon honey syrup and heated kick from jalapeño in Kindred’s hoola hoop. It’s balanced and sophisticated enough to pair with a hearty entrée. 2751 Lavista Road, Decatur. 404-975-3542, kindreddecatur.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Ela
Credit: Courtesy of Ela
Foreign exchange at Ela
The foreign exchange is an autumnal riff where Tentura Antica cinnamon liqueur brings out the spicy side of ASW Rye and lets the soft aromatics of Fiddler bourbon mellow. It opens into woodsy fernet, while baharat spice mix adds earthy zing reminiscent of rustling leaves. 1186 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-873-4656, ela-atlanta.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Distillery of Modern Art
Credit: Courtesy of Distillery of Modern Art
Karma at Distillery of Modern Art
Pairing their amaro peach and DOMA bourbon with chocolate bitters, chai, cinnamon honey and ancho chili salt, DOMA’s drink sips like front porch sweet tea swept up in a breeze of fall warming spices. 2197 Irvindale Way, Chamblee. 404-482-2663, distilleryofmodernart.com.
Credit: CAMEREN E. ROGERS / cameren.e.ro
Credit: CAMEREN E. ROGERS / cameren.e.ro
American pie at Southern Belle
Apple brandy mingles with cherry, rhubarb amaro and a housemade apple graham cracker shrub in Southern Belle’s apple pie. 1043 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-698-3961, southernbelleatl.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Tio Lucho's
Credit: Courtesy of Tio Lucho's
Lost in the maize at Tio Lucho’s
Chicha, the Peruvian purple drink made from fermented corn, is the base of Tio Lucho’s lost in the maize. Fruity, spicy and colorful, it becomes autumnal when mixed with 4 Roses bourbon, Nixta corn liqueur, lime juice and a cinnamon stick garnish. 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-343-0278, tioluchos.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Cooks & Soldiers
Credit: Courtesy of Cooks & Soldiers
The city of 4 quarters at Cooks & Soldiers
Manhattan-esque with a woodsy, dark backbone and an herbal finish, the city of 4 quarters is a nod to Barcelona’s nickname. The base spirit of sherry cask-aged brandy is balanced by Cynar artichoke amaro and a combination of Angostura and black cardamom bitters. Luxardo cherry juice brings soft sweetness to the concoction poured over a large ice cube. 691 14th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-996-2623, cooksandsoldiers.com.
Forgotten castaway at Indaco
Indaco’s forgotten castaway mixes brown buttered Jamaica rum, bittersweet Luxardo Amaro Abano, coconut liqueur, apple cider and tiki bitters. A charred cinnamon stick leads the heady aromatics. 725 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta. 404-205-5183, indacorestaurant.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Vesper
Credit: Courtesy of Vesper
Dried meadow flower at Vesper
Summer’s flowers have faded, but one can reminisce along the Beltline by ordering a dried meadow flower at Vesper. Soft and sweet Cocchi Americano aperitif plays off floral elderflower liqueur with 21 Reposado tequila lending earthy elements in a composed ode to yesterday’s blooms. 924 Garrett St., Atlanta. 404-963-6902, vesperatl.com.
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