Cooler evenings call for cozy drinks, and sometimes that means a little something extra in the mug! Once fall arrives, warm chocolate, spiced apple, citrus, and mulled wine all sound especially inviting.

Here in Georgia, we may still have warm afternoons, but a cool evening is the perfect excuse to settle in with a warm drink. Whether you are relaxing at home or having friends over, these fall cocktails do not need a long ingredient list or fancy equipment.

My personal favorite? Hot chocolate with bourbon cream. It is creamy, cozy, and feels like dessert in a cup!

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My Favorite: Spiced Hot Chocolate with Bourbon Cream

If you love hot chocolate, this is an easy way to turn it into an adult treat. I start with my favorite spiced hot chocolate and add bourbon cream. The chocolate, spice, and creamy finish are such a nice combination for a chilly evening.

For one mug:

• One serving of spiced hot chocolate mix
• Water or milk, according to the mix’s directions
• 1 ounce bourbon cream liqueur
• Optional: whipped cream, a light sprinkle of cinnamon, or chocolate shavings

How to make it:

1. Prepare the spiced hot chocolate according to the package directions.
2. Remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly if it is piping hot.
3. Stir in the bourbon cream.
4. Add your favorite topping and serve warm.

Use bourbon cream liqueur for this recipe—it gives the drink the creamy finish I love.

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Fancy Nancy tip: If your hot chocolate is already nicely spiced, taste it before adding more cinnamon. A little whipped cream can be all the finishing touch it needs!

Spiced Apple with Apple-Flavored Whisky or Bourbon

Apple and spice just taste like fall to me. This drink is another easy option because you can start with a spiced apple drink mix and add either apple-flavored whisky or plain bourbon.

Apple-flavored whisky leans into the fruit flavor, while bourbon gives you a different variation to enjoy.

For one mug:

• 6–8 ounces prepared spiced apple drink
• 1 ounce apple-flavored whisky or plain bourbon
• Optional: an apple slice or cinnamon stick

How to make it:

1. Prepare the spiced apple drink according to the package directions and warm it.
2. Pour it into a heat-safe mug.
3. Stir in the whisky or bourbon.
4. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick if you like.

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This is a simple drink for an evening on the porch or a relaxed night at home. If you are serving friends, keep the warm apple drink separate and add the spirits to individual mugs. That makes it easy for everyone to choose their version.

My Tea-Based Hot Toddy with Lemon or Lime

A hot toddy is another cozy choice, and my version starts with tea, lemon or lime juice, and bourbon.

You can keep it simple or add a little honey if you prefer some sweetness. Lemon is a lovely choice, but lime works when you want to change things up—or that is what you have on hand!

For one mug:

• 6–8 ounces freshly brewed tea
• 1 ounce bourbon
• 1–2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice, to taste
• Optional: 1 teaspoon honey and a citrus slice

How to make it:

1. Brew your favorite tea.
2. Stir in the honey, if using.
3. Add the lemon or lime juice and bourbon.
4. Taste and adjust the citrus or sweetness to your liking.

For an evening drink, you can use decaf tea or a caffeine-free herbal tea.

Fancy Nancy tip: Start with a little citrus juice. You can always add more, but you want it to complement the tea.

My Party Favorite: Slow-Cooker Mulled Wine

For a fall get-together, mulled wine is my favorite. A slow cooker makes it easy to prepare a batch and serve it warm, and the spices smell wonderful as the wine heats.

My simple combination is red wine, brandy, and mulling spices. You can add orange slices for a little extra citrus flavor, too.

For one batch:

• One 750 mL bottle of red wine
• ½ cup brandy
• Mulling spices, using the package’s recommended amount for one bottle of wine
• Optional: orange slices and a little honey or sugar, to taste
• You can use orange slices for garnish or cinnamon sticks

How to make it:

1. Pour the wine into the slow cooker.
2. Add the brandy and mulling spices. If the spices are loose, place them in a spice bag or tea infuser, or strain before serving.
3. Add orange slices if using.
4. Cover and heat on low until warm and fragrant. Begin checking after about an hour; timing will vary with your slow cooker.
5. Taste and add a little sweetener only if needed.
6. Switch to the warm setting once heated, and ladle into heat-safe mugs.

Keep the wine warm without letting it simmer or boil. Taste as it warms and remove the spices once the flavor is where you like it.

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For a larger gathering, multiply the ingredients by the number of bottles you use, keeping within your slow cooker’s capacity.

Fancy Nancy tip: Put a small label beside the slow cooker so guests know the mulled wine contains both wine and brandy. Warm drinks can still contain alcohol, and guests should know what is in their cup.

A Few Easy Finishing Touches

You do not need elaborate garnishes to make these drinks feel special. A cinnamon stick in an apple drink, a citrus slice in a toddy, or whipped cream on hot chocolate adds a pretty touch with very little effort.

Choose heat-safe mugs or glasses, and keep any extra toppings nearby so guests can finish their drinks the way they like.

For an alcohol-free option, leave the spirits out of the hot chocolate, apple drink, or tea. For a mulled alternative, gently warm apple cider or grape juice with mulling spices instead of using wine and brandy.

A Cozy Drink for Every Kind of Fall Evening

Hot chocolate with bourbon cream will always be my first pick, but I love having a few easy ideas for different occasions.

A spiced apple drink is lovely for a quiet evening. A tea-based toddy is simple to make by the mug. And a slow cooker of mulled wine is a welcoming addition when friends come over.

These drinks are for adults of legal drinking age. Sip responsibly and plan a safe ride if you are away from home.

Which one would you choose: bourbon cream hot chocolate, spiced apple whisky, a hot toddy, or mulled wine?

Stay fancy, friends! 🍂🥂