There’s just something about fall that makes staying in feel a little more special. A cozy drink, something warm to snack on and maybe a candle burning in the background is pretty much my idea of the perfect fall evening.

These five fall drink and appetizer pairings are easy enough for a quiet night at home but pretty enough to serve for girls’ night, game day, Thanksgiving or any little fall get-together. From an Apple Cider Mule with warm baked brie to a Maple Bourbon Smash with sweet and salty bacon crackers, there’s a little something for everyone.

Pick one pairing or make a few and turn it into your own cozy fall happy hour. Cheers to good food, good drinks and finally getting to enjoy the coziest season of the year. 🍎🍂

🍎 1. Apple Cider Mule

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 2 oz apple cider
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Ice
• Apple slice and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Instructions
Fill a copper mug with ice. Add vodka, apple cider and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and gently stir. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Baked Brie with Apples & Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) wheel brie
• 1 small apple, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Crackers, for serving

Instructions
Place brie in a small baking dish. Top with apple slices, brown sugar, pecans, maple syrup and cinnamon. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, until warm and soft. Serve immediately with crackers.

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🍏 2. Caramel Apple Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1½ oz caramel vodka
• 2 oz apple cider
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• Ice
• Apple slice, for garnish
• Cinnamon sugar, optional for rim

Instructions
If desired, rim a cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar. Add caramel vodka, cider, cranberry juice and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Ingredients

• 1 (14 oz) package cocktail smokies
• 1 lb bacon
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions
Cut bacon into thirds and wrap one piece around each smoky. Secure with toothpicks and arrange in a baking dish.

Mix brown sugar, Dijon and black pepper, then sprinkle evenly over the smokies. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes, until the bacon is browned and the glaze is bubbly.

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🍊 3. Cranberry Orange Fizz

Ingredients

• 1½ oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 2–3 oz club soda
• Ice
• Fresh cranberries and orange slice, for garnish

Instructions
Fill a glass with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice. Stir and top with club soda. Garnish with cranberries and an orange slice.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Crostini

Ingredients

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans
• Fresh rosemary, optional

Instructions
Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 6–8 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Spread each slice with cream cheese and top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with orange zest, pecans and a tiny bit of fresh rosemary if desired.

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🥃 4. Maple Bourbon Smash

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Orange slice and rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions
Add bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with orange and rosemary.

Maple Bacon Crackers

Ingredients

• 24 buttery crackers
• 8 slices bacon, cut into thirds
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions
Place crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and top each with a piece of bacon. Sprinkle with brown sugar and drizzle lightly with maple syrup.

Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and caramelized. Cool for several minutes before serving.

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🍂 5. Spiced Apple Rum Punch

Ingredients

• 2 oz spiced rum
• 3 oz apple cider
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz ginger ale
• Ice
• Apple slices, cranberries and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Instructions
Fill a glass with ice. Add spiced rum, apple cider, cranberry juice and lemon juice. Stir, then top with ginger ale. Garnish with apples, cranberries and a cinnamon stick.

Warm Apple & Cheddar Bites

Ingredients

• 1 package frozen mini phyllo shells
• 1 small apple, finely diced
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apple, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook for 3–4 minutes, just until the apples begin to soften.

Arrange phyllo shells on a baking sheet. Add a little cheddar to each shell and spoon the apple mixture over the top.

Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the shells are crisp. Finish with a very light drizzle of maple syrup.