There are a few quick-and-dirty methods for making your cocktails feel more fall-appropriate. We've mentioned a few ways to incorporate an apple drink a day into your autumn routine, and we highly encourage mixing a few Concord grape cocktails, too. But if you're going for booze and spice and everything nice this fall, a bottle of allspice dram is a worthwhile purchase.
Having trouble tracking down St. Elizabeth's allspice dram at your local liquor store? No worries, you can also whip up a homemade version using rum and allspice berries, plus cinnamon and brown sugar.
Once you've scored (or made) a bottle of allspice dram, what should you mix with it? Try these five cocktails to start.
Jalisco Pear
Pear spirits and allspice dram are a natural pairing, the way you'd spice a pair before poaching or baking it. This pear cocktail from Gramercy Tavern in NYC is a bit like an autumn margarita, made with silver tequila and lemon, plus rich pear liqueur. The allspice dram completes the picture, and the final result is both elegant and delicious.
Fall Fruit Punch Cocktail
Here's another pear drink, this time mixed with quince and lemon. Use both light rum and dark rum in this cocktail for complex flavors that complement the allspice dram.
The Wildest Redhead
This Scotch drink from New York's Raines Law Room is made with allspice dram, honey, and a little Cherry Heering. The end result has a little bit of spice, a little bit of sweet, and plenty of kick.
The Lion's Tail
Rich and spicy bourbon is a natural for the allspice pairing. In this cocktail, the richness is cut with fresh lime, for a result that's both fresh and autumnal.
The Ancient Mariner
Allspice dram (also called pimento dram) shows up frequently in tiki drinks, like this one, made rich with two kinds of rum. Tart lime and grapefruit juice keep things bright, and the allspice latches in nicely to the boozy core.