Seasonal Sips: Autumn Cocktails, Wines & Non-Alcoholic Serves

Welcome back to Sip.Serve.Social where we explore hosting ideas and offer our advice to help you elevate your gatherings. This edition of our new series focuses on Autumn - a time of harvest, hedgerow fruits, and cosy evenings.

The equinox marks a turning point in the year: evenings draw in, leaves shift to amber, and the landscape is abundant with orchard fruits and hedgerow berries. Autumn drinks should reflect that - rich, spiced, and comforting, with a nod to the harvest.

Here’s how to bring the season into your glass with cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic options that feel unmistakably Autumnal.

Autumn Cocktails: From Orchard to Glass

British and European autumns offer no shortage of inspiration: apples, pears, plums, sloes, and quinces all lend themselves beautifully to cocktails.

Sloe Gin & Tonic

A simple classic: sloe gin topped with tonic and a wedge of orange. The deep berry notes and subtle almond character feel tailor-made for autumn.

Mulled Cider Cup

Warm local cider gently infused with cloves, cinnamon, and a slice of orange. Serve in mugs for a casual gathering or in glasses for something more polished.

Pear & Thyme Collins

Fresh pear juice with a splash of gin, lengthened with soda and lifted by a sprig of thyme - crisp, fragrant, and very much of the season.

Wines for Autumn Gatherings

Food at this time of year becomes more robust: roasted root vegetables, game, and hearty suppers. The wines that shine are those with texture and warmth, without being overly heavy.

Pinot Noir (Burgundy or German Spätburgunder)

Elegant, light-bodied, with earthy notes that echo the forest floor — perfect with mushrooms or roast poultry.

Viognier

Aromatic, with stone fruit and a touch of spice, this white pairs beautifully with squash or creamy cheeses.

Côtes du Rhône or Grenache blends

Generous, warming reds with spice and berry notes - ideal with slow-cooked stews or a Sunday roast.

Non-Alcoholic Harvest Serves

Not everyone will be drinking, and the season offers plenty of ingredients for sophisticated, alcohol-free alternatives.

Blackberry & Sage Spritz

Blackberry cordial or purée, topped with sparkling water and finished with a fresh sage leaf. Dark, fruity, and herbaceous.

Spiced Apple Pressé

Pressed apple juice gently warmed with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, then served chilled over ice with a splash of soda.

Elderberry Tonic

Elderberry syrup with a squeeze of lemon, topped with tonic water. Tart, rich, and restorative - very much in tune with the season.

Hosting Tip: A Harvest Drinks Table

Set up a drinks station that reflects the autumn harvest itself: bowls of apples and pears, jars of cinnamon sticks, sprigs of herbs, and bottles of berry cordials or sloe gin. Offer a seasonal cocktail, one red and one white wine, and a thoughtful non-alcoholic option. Encourage guests to add their own garnish - it makes the drinks part of the atmosphere.

The Takeaway

Autumn in Europe is a time of abundance - hedgerows heavy with berries, orchards alive with apples, and markets piled high with squash and roots. Drinks that draw on these ingredients not only taste delicious, but they also root your gathering in the season. Whether it’s a warming mulled cider, a glass of Pinot Noir, or a sparkling blackberry spritz, your guests will taste autumn in every sip.

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