The leaves are changing colors. Pumpkin patches are busy as it gets. But there’s something you’re forgetting about autumn. How did you not automatically think of what drinks will you order during this time of year? It’s not the season for a piña colada nor is it the optimum time for an iced tea.
No, it’s the best time of the year. Not only are we chugging pumpkin spice lattes, but there are plenty of other fantastic alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.
From your local coffee shop to a bar or brewery, the selection of fall-inspired drinks on Long Island are plentiful. But sometimes, you have to try on a new hat. If you don’t usually like pumpkin, give a pumpkin spice latte a try and support your local coffee shop. If you don’t like apples, why not try a locally brewed cider beer? The options are endless.
We’re ready to break down the five best drinks that you should order throughout the fall, and you certainly can’t go wrong with any of them.
Moscow Mule
Who’s ready to travel overseas? Just kidding, you don’t actually have to go to Russia for a Moscow mule. Not only can you order this drink when you go out, but it’s incredibly easy to make in the comfort of your own home.
All you need is vodka, spicy ginger beer and lime juice, plus a slice of lime. If you really want to feel like you’re in Moscow, make sure to get some good ‘ol Russian vodka.
A fun little fact about the Moscow mule is it’s rumored to have been created in Manhattan’s Chatham Hotel. But it got its name because the hotel was known as “Little Moscow.” There are a few other rumors as to how it got its name, including one tracing its origins to Los Angeles and Moscow’s love of vodka.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
How can one walk into a coffee shop in the middle of the fall without ordering the pumpkin spice latte or any other pumpkin-inspired drink? Topped with some cinnamon or pumpkin itself, it will knock your socks off.
Plenty of people love the latte at Starbucks and Dunkin’ and that’s great. But what about heading over to a smaller shop and show your appreciation for some local java.
The pumpkin spice latte is made with…you guessed it, pure pumpkin spice and purée (blended pumpkin). You add vanilla extract to it, plus milk. A Food Network recipe suggests putting it in a bowl and bowering it a plastic wrap, placing a hole in plastic. And it wouldn’t be a great pumpkin spice latte without whipped cream and a bit of pumpkin spice on it.
It might be an acquired taste, but it’s one you should certainly acquire.
White Russian
It doesn’t get much easier than making a white Russian. This is probably the most straight-forward recipe you can find for a great drink at home. Grab some vodka, coffee liqueur and cream and pour it into a glass.
A white Russian is best served cold, so make sure to put some ice cubes in it. Kahlúa is your best choice in terms of a substitute for coffee liqueur.
The white Russian is sweet and strong, perfect for a person looking to warm up in the cold weather.
You can thank actor Jeff Bridges for the white Russian’s popularity. His hit 1998 film The Big Lebowski boosted the drink’s popularity, simply based off the fact that
The Dude, Bridges’ character, loves to sip it.
Apple Cider
There’s nothing like a nice apple cider on Long Island. A great choice is heading over to the Jericho Cider Mill, one of the oldest in America.
Apple cider is American as it gets, and you won’t be disappointed at the Jericho location, which also gets its apples locally. There’s no alochol in this cider, but you certainly feel great drinking it and consuming some vitamin C.
This sweet, savory drink is exceptional given that it’s the perfect season for apples. Apple cider is much fresher than apple juice and it’s a nice way to feel at home on Long Island.
Apple-Flavored Beer
There are plenty of apple-flavored beers to choose from, fortunately. While this can be considered a year-round drink, it hits differently in the autumn.
The crisp taste of apple inside of your bottle of beer hits differently as the weather changes. It’s hard to explain, but lagers specifically taste great right now.
But which apple beer will you choose? There’s the highly popular REDD’s Apple Ale, Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, the brand-new Busch Light Apple, Harpoon Craft Cider, Stella Artois Cider and more.
Each of these beers has their own sweet, unique taste. But it all depends how heavy you like your beer or spritzer.
Please make sure to drink in moderation and do not drink excessively.
