The season of sweater weather is here. Instead of mourning the loss of warmer days (sheds a single tear), we're embracing all things autumn: cozy clothes, apple picking and, of course, fall drinks.
It's time to swap out those tropical cocktails and bottles of rosé for delicious fall drinks like dark spirit-forward tipples and full-bodied wines.
Here, I've rounded up my personal favourite fall drinks to help you embrace the season — and none of them are pumpkin spice flavoured. Find them at some of the amazing bars in the city or stock up at LCBO and enjoy these fall drinks from the comfort of your jammies. It is the season of cozying up indoors, after all.
12 of the coolest drinks for fall 2022
1. Petrichor Cabernet Merlot, $17.95
In association with Mark Anthony Group
Named after the seductive, earthy smell that follows rain, Petrichor Cab Merlot is an ode to the evocative power of aromas. When you first pour a glass, swirl it around, then take a big whiff — with your mouth slightly open. Instantly, you'll be transported to a golden-hued autumn forest beside a pristine lake in Ontario's luscious backcountry.
Made with hand-picked grapes and minimal intervention, Petrichor Cabernet Merlot is a true taste of Niagara's terroir. On the palate, it's balanced and fresh with notes of dark berries, oak spice, smoke and mineral. A blend of cab franc, merlot and cab sauv, it pairs exceptionally well with roast meats. Pull this bad boy out around the holidays or bring it to that fancy dinner party. Or dress it down next to burgers and meaty mushroom mains.
2. Suntory Whisky Toki, $61.25
Suntory Whisky Toki will steal your attention from the moment you lay eyes on the shimmering golden bottle. At first blush, this blended Japanese whisky's sweet and spicy character took me by surprise — but in the best way possible. Usually, I go for whiskies with more caramel-toffee notes, but Suntory Toki’s silky sweet flavour sweeps me off my feet.
Aromas of green apple and honey give way to flavours of citrus, grapes and peppermint. Its complex, bright character is perfect for fall when you want to cozy up with a warming drink but aren't quite ready to dive into the deep whiskies of winter. I mix it up in the perfect serve: a Toki Highball, with soda water and a twist of lemon. Simple serendipity for those fresh fall days.
3. Seedlip Grove 42, $45
The OG non-alcoholic distilled spirit, Seedlip has been elevating the mocktail game since 2015. It comes in three different variations, each with its own blend of flavours. For mixing up some delicious fall drinks minus the alcohol, I like Seedlip Grove 42. The bright blend of citrus includes notes of Mediterranean orange, lemon peel and lemongrass. Hints of ginger give it that warming fall feeling. Stir it up with soda water or tonic for a simple, refreshing fall mixer.
4. Yalumba Y Series Viognier, $14.95
When something has stood the test of time for over 150 years, you know it's got to be good. Founded in 1849, Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery. All of their wines are made with quality fruit from South Australia's most celebrated wine regions and this voignier is no exception.
Pour a glass of this bright, straw-hued wine and allow yourself to be enveloped in aromas of orange blossom, fresh ginger, honeysuckle and white flowers. On the palate, a creamy mouthfeel gives way to flavours of fresh apricot, white tea, dried figs and fennel. But don't let the fruits and florals fool you — this medium-bodied white is extra dry with a supple, silky finish. Meanwhile, wild fermentation and lees aging impart an unexpected complexity. Pair it with spicy chicken dishes or fish. My favourite way to enjoy this dry white is with smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés — and excellent company.
5. Zirkova Unity, $34.95
Vodka is one of those spirits I generally shy away from, but Zirkova is the rare exception. Founded by Ukrainian-Canadian Katherine Vellinga, Zirkova is
headquartered in Canada and, until recently, was made in Ukraine. In response to the current situation, Zirkova has employed some of their Ukrainian staff in Canada to make their vodka here.
An expression of love, the new Zirkova Unity Vodka hit shelves this past summer. The serve comes in six unique bottles featuring art from Ukrainian and Canadian artists, all speaking to themes of unity, strength and resilience. With every bottle sold, a donation will be made to support Ukraine and its people.
6. Bearface Whisky Wilderness Series Matsutake, $49.95
I know what you're thinking — I, too was skeptical about a whisky infused with mushrooms, but after trying Bearface Matsutake, I am obsessed. The first release in Bearface’s Wilderness Series, this expression is infused with wild-foraged matsutake mushrooms from B.C.’s Monashee Mountains. The result is a complex, layered whisky with a lip-smackingly rich umami finish. Balancing out this whisky's savoury notes, you'll also catch hints of sweetness, nuttiness and nutmeg from ex-sherry casks. Meanwhile, ex-cab sauv and ex-merlot French oak casks add subtle flavours of dried fruit, saffron and balsamic.
I'm a big fan of whisky cocktails, but all I need is a splash of ginger-ale to thoroughly enjoy Bearface Matsutake — and I cannot get enough of it. You could also try it in an old fashioned. When it comes to cocktails, the simpler the better to really let this unique spirit shine.
7. Tom Gore Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.95
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Guests can always find a bottle of Tom Gore's cab sauv on my wine shelf. Unlike many other wines, the flavours in Tom Gore Vineyards wines come from the way the grapes are grown rather than the processing afterwards. Gore says that grape farming is all about “planting the right stuff in the right place.” I can't tell you exactly what that entails, but I can tell you that he has got winemaking down to an art. This California cab is among my all-time favourite wines for its full body and toasty notes of herbs, honey and fig jam. This is a meaty red that pairs exceptionally well with juicy cuts like ribs or steak, and I have even enjoyed it with chicken (gasp). Yes, it is that versatile.
8. Dillon's Blackberry, Lemon & a Dash of Elderflower, $3.15
Just because summer is over it doesn't mean we have to kiss all our favourite cans goodbye. Dillon's gin cocktails are fresh and fruity, but not so much so that they're out of place on a crisp fall day. With blackberry, lemon and elderflower, this canned cocktail is refreshing and sweet without falling into the over-sugary, tropical category. This flavour is my personal favourite, but Dillon's gin cocktails also come in black cherry and the more summary tangerine lemon.
9. Twisted Tea Slightly Sweet, $3.95
For those warm fall days where the sun is still shining, crack open a can of Twisted Tea. This hard iced tea is made with real brewed tea so it actually tastes like iced tea (unlike some others on the market). Personally, I like the original flavour the best, but I do tend to like my drinks on the sweeter side. Twisted Tea Slightly Sweet is a refreshing hard iced tea that won't leave your mouth with that sugar-coated feeling. Expect hints of lemon and vodka. Pair it with a fried chicken sandwich and a sunny fall day.
10. Meiomi Pinot Noir, $23.95
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Another go-to red is Meiomi Pinot Noir. Marrying grapes from a variety of California's most notable wine growing regions, this jammy wine has more structure to it than a lot of other pinot noirs on the market. It's aged in French oak barrels for six months, adding even more complexity and depth to this beautiful wine. On the nose, catch aromas of fruit jam, mocha and oak. Medium-bodied and easy drinking, Meiomi Pinot Noir is full of juicy strawberry and dark berry notes with hints of toasted mocha. Pair it with roasts, steak or spicy beef.
11. Growers Honeycrisp Apple, $3.45
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Made in Ontario, this juicy cider is like an apple pie in a glass. Hints of honey and white flowers blend with the sweet-tart flavour of honeycrisp apples. Pro tip: If this little number is too sweet for you, use it as a mixer and add a shot (or two) of a caramel-flavour-forward whisky. You're welcome.
12. Truly Peach Iced Tea Hard Seltzer, $3.10
Made in Ontario with real brewed tea, this peach-packed seltzer is 130 calories with 1 g of sugar, and zero artificial flavours or sweeteners. Pair it with juicy jerk chicken, fresh fruit salad and those last few sunny days of fall. Truly also comes in strawberry lemonade.
