We searched the Queen City for the best Fall inspired cocktails to celebrate the season’s change. We’ve also included a list of some great alcohol-free offerings in Charlotte right now, for those not looking to drink alcohol. Here’s what we found:
Our Favorite Cocktails For Fall 2022
Viracocha at Mariposa (Uptown)
This new cocktail at Mariposa gives us all the fall vibes, thanks to its golden color. It’s made with Pisco, Averna Amaro, yellow chartreuse, raspberry, lemon, and passion fruit foam.
Note to self: This drinks also makes the perfect Insta-worthy pic.
Buried Alive at Angelines (Uptown)
Pasta and cocktails, anyone? With the perfect blend of cinnamon and apple cider, the Buried Alive cocktail at Angelines remains one of our favorites for fall. Featuring Brugal Rum, Montenegro, cinnamon demerara, apple cider, and lime.
ALLL The Fall Cocktails at Cloud Bar by David Burke (Uptown)
You can’t go wrong visiting Cloud Bar for its recently introduced fall-inspired cocktail menu. We couldn’t pick a favorite (who can with this lineup?!), so here are a few we currently love:
- Apple Cider Mule – whiskey, apple cider, lemon, ginger beer
- Pumpkin Daquiri – white rum, ginger, lemon, pumpkin
- Zombie Smash – gin, vodka, white rum, citrus strawberries, grenadine
- Sky Fire – rye whiskey, maple, chocolate bitters
Tea Time at Sea Level (Uptown)
When we think of fall, we can’t help but think of snuggling up on the couch with a cup of tea. At Sea Level, you can get that same feeling while devouring seafood and southern favorites, thanks to their Tea Time cocktail with Old Forester, Fernet Branca, tangerine ginger hibiscus tea, simple, and orange bitters.
Gap in the Clouds at Merchant and Trade (Uptown)
There’s no better place to enjoy that fall-glow than up on Merchant and Trade’s scenic rooftop with a cocktail in hand. Order the Gap in the Clouds for a drink that is not only delicious, but tastes refreshing — with Tito’s vodka, fresh lemon, earl grey, vanilla bean, cold pressed lemon oil, and orange blossom infused aquafaba.
Here Comes The Sun at Fahrenheit (Uptown)
Head to this scenic rooftop for all new fall cocktails including the Here Comes The Sun, crafted with yellow Chartreuse, lemon, Empress Gin, basil, and topped with an edible flower.
All New Fall Cocktails at Aura Rooftop (Uptown)
This colorful rooftop is inspired by the regal aura of Queen Charlotte herself, which also reflects on their tasty cocktails and food. The menu at Aura is ever-changing, and this fall its bringing creative and colorful sips to the cocktail menu. Be sure to stop by this season to try all the flavors of fall.
Seasonal G&T at The Waterman Fish Bar (South End)
Fins up for boozy boat drinks. The Seasonal G&T has us feeling like it’s boating season all Autumn long. Featuring Tanqueray Sevilla Orange Gin, fresh-squeezed orange juice, house-made tonic, and Domaine de Canton. P.S. the Lake Norman location is now open 7 days a week, which means even more seafood and cocktails by the lake.
#PSL at Spindle Bar (Optimist Hall)
A pumpkin pie in drink form. Order the new #PSL cocktail at Spindle Bar for the perfect fall mixture of Local Spiced Rum, bourbon, real pumpkin, pie spice, and whipped cream.
Horchata at Spindle Bar Airstream (Optimist Hall)
The Spindle Bar Airstream is getting a brand new look and menu, in celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Our favorite includes the Horchata “Classic Preparation” with housemade rice milk, cinnamon agave, and tequila.
Maple Bourbon Smash and Apple Cider Mule at Napa at Kingsley & Napa on Providence (Eastover)
Charlotteans, you don’t have to travel all the way to Napa Valley to get its unique culinary style and vineyard aesthetic, thanks to our local Napa restaurants. Save the travel and head to Napa at Kingsley or Napa on Providence where delicious food, amazing wines, and seasonal cocktails await.
On the fall cocktail menu are the Maple Bourbon Smash (Larceny bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, angostura bitters, soda water) and the Apple Cider Mule (new Amsterdam vodka, spiced apple cider, lime juice, ginger beer).
Old Fashions at ROCKSALT (Park Road Shopping Center)
Looking for a deal on your seasonal drink? Head to ROCKSALT, where they will have $7 Old Fashions every Thursday. Cheers to that!
Spiced Peach Margarita, Autumn Mule, and more at The Pump House (Rock Hill, SC)
We can’t help but fall in love with The Pump House’s new Autumn-inspired cocktail lineup. Good luck deciding which one to try first… (hint: they’re all delicious).
- Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned — old forrester bourbon, apple cinnamon syrup, black walnut & angostura bitters
- Spiced Peach Margarita — lunazul reposado, harlequin orange liqueur, spiced peach syrup, lemon sour, lime juice, peach bitters
- Autumn Mule — the kraken spiced rum, montenegro amaro, spiced apple syrup, orange bitters, ginger beer
- Rosemary Ginger Collins — tito’s vodka, ginger liqueur, rosemary syrup, soda water
SO many cocktails at Drift on Lake Wylie (Belmont)
It’s hard for us to choose a favorite. Here are our top picks:
- Dirty Drift Martini – extra virgin olive oil fat-washed gin, dry vermouth, saline tincture, caperberry
- Lilikoi Cooler – vodka, amaro, passionfruit-honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, angostura bitters
- Gin Blossom – gin, chartreuse, yuzu syrup, fresh lemon juice, aquafaba
- Dockside Margarita – blanco tequila, grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, roasted jalapeno syrup, pomegranate juice
- Mai Tai – gold rum, dark rum, orange liqueur, sesame-almond orgeat, fresh lime juice
- Bourbon Renewal – bourbon, creme de cassis, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, angostura bitters
Our Favorite Mocktails For Fall
Charlotte’s Crown at Aura Rooftop (Uptown)
Aura Rooftop offers two free-spirited mocktails on its menu, both are fruity and sparkling. Our favorite for fall is the Charlotte’s Crown, with blueberry, mint, lime, and sparkling water. Your other option is the Solar Plexus with grapefruit, sage, pineapple, lemon, and sparkling water.
Sunchaser mocktail at Caroline’s Oyster Bar (Uptown)
Feeling fruity? Order this non-alcoholic concoction of grapefruit sage syrup batch, pineapple, lemon, coconut soda.
Buzz Kill at The Waterman Fish Bar (South End)
We don’t believe in being a buzz kill, but we think we could all agree on how delicious this drink at Waterman’s is. Enjoy this yummy mixture of Abstinence Blood Orange, tonic, simple, and club soda.
Faux-Jito at Drift on Lake Wylie (Belmont)
Take in views of Lake Wylie at this lakeside chophouse while sipping on a house-made cocktail from its non-alcoholic menu. A must try for colder weather is the Faux-Jito with fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and soda water.
