15 Cozy Fall Drinks to Make Instead of the Coffee Shop

Cozy fall drinks are the warm ciders, spiced lattes and hot chocolates that make the first cold week of the season feel like an event, whether or not coffee is even involved.

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This is a running list of fifteen fall drinks, a mix of my own recipes and the best ones I have found from other home cooks, sorted by type. More are coming as I add my own drinks through the season.

Pick a mug, pick a drink, and let the kitchen smell like cinnamon for the rest of the afternoon.

Warm Spiced Ciders

The easiest way to fill the house with a fall smell. Most of these simmer on their own with almost no attention.

Apple Cider Ginger Mocktail

A bright, gingery apple cider mocktail with warm spice and a little fizz, good for a crowd or just yourself.

MAKE THE RECIPE

Mulled Cider

A simple mulled cider simmered with whole spices on the stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot, so you can match the method to your day.

MAKE THE RECIPE

Photo credit: acouplecooks.com

Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider

A hands off spiced cider that just simmers in the slow cooker for a few hours, good for a party where you do not want to babysit a pot.

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Photo credit: savorynothings.com

Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider

Apple cider and cranberry juice simmered with warm spices for fifteen minutes, a slightly tangy twist on the classic.

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Photo credit: tastesoflizzyt.com

Spiced Pear Mocktail

A fizzy pear mocktail built on a homemade spiced pear syrup, pear nectar, lime juice and ginger beer, brighter than a straight cider.

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Photo credit: feastandwest.com

Caramel Apple Mocktail

A caramel rimmed glass filled with apple cider and sparkling ginger beer, more of a dessert drink than a plain cider.

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Photo credit: savortheflavour.com

Coffee Shop Lattes at Home

Skip the line. Most of these come together in the time it takes the milk to steam.

Gingerbread Latte Recipe

A homemade gingerbread latte with molasses and warm spice, tastes like a gingerbread cookie in a mug.

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Easy Chai Latte

Black tea and whole spices steeped right in the milk instead of water, sweetened to taste with maple syrup.

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Photo credit: loveandlemons.com

Snickerdoodle Latte

A cinnamon and brown sugar latte made by shaking the milk in a jar, no fancy equipment needed.

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Photo credit: houseofyumm.com

Maple Latte

Real maple syrup stirred into espresso and steamed milk, a naturally sweetened latte you can also serve iced.

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Photo credit: midwestniceblog.com

Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte

A dairy free latte built on a quick brown sugar cinnamon syrup and creamy oat milk.

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Photo credit: plantbasedjess.com

Pumpkin Chai Latte

This cozy pumpkin chai latte combines real pumpkin, warm spices, creamy milk, and espresso for an easy fall drink.

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Hot Chocolate and Warm Extras

For the nights you want something rich, or something that has nothing to do with coffee at all.

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

A rich hot chocolate with a hint of red velvet flavor, topped with whipped cream for a cozy dessert drink.

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Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate

Rich hot chocolate warmed with cinnamon, chipotle and a pinch of cayenne for a gentle kick behind the chocolate.

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Photo credit: gimmesomeoven.com

Honey Ginger and Turmeric Latte

A caffeine free golden latte with ginger, turmeric and honey, a soothing option on a night you want something warm but light.

MAKE THE RECIPE

Photo credit: pickledplum.com

Tips for Better Fall Drinks

• Steep spices whole, not ground – whole cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise strain out cleanly and give a cleaner flavor than powder stirred straight into the pot.
• Warm the milk gently for lattes – milk that gets too hot can scald and develop a skin, so keep it just below a simmer.
• Make a big batch of simple syrup for the week – brown sugar or maple syrup dissolved with a little water keeps in the fridge and turns any coffee into a latte in seconds.
• Taste before you add more sweetener – spices can read as more or less sweet depending on the drink, so add sugar in small amounts at the end.
• Batch ciders in a slow cooker for a party – set it on warm and let guests serve themselves all afternoon instead of refilling mugs from the stove.

Cozy Fall Drink Questions

Can I make fall drinks ahead for a party?

Ciders and mulled drinks hold well on the stove or in a slow cooker set to warm for hours. Lattes are best made fresh, though you can make the flavored syrup or spice mix ahead and just add hot milk when guests arrive.

What spices show up most in fall drinks?

Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and star anise cover almost everything on this list. A small jar of pumpkin pie spice or chai spice blend is an easy shortcut if you do not want to measure five things separately.

How do I make any of these decaf or caffeine free?

Swap brewed decaf coffee or tea for the caffeinated version, or lean on the ciders, hot chocolate and the turmeric latte, which have no caffeine at all.

Start with whichever one matches your mood tonight. More of my own fall drinks are coming to this list as the season goes on.

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