3 Flavor-Fall Cocktail & Cigar Pairings

The flannels are out in full effect, football is on, and the scent of pumpkin spice wafts through the air. Yep, it’s fall. And what better way to enjoy the crisp, cool evenings than with the premium cigar of your choice and a delicious fall cocktail to pair with it.  

That’s why the Cigar World team scoured the internet for the best fall cocktail recipes and tested them out with some of the most sought after premium cigars. These drink and cigar pairings are without a doubt, something you’ll fall head over heels for. 

#1: Autumn Rum Old Fashioned + CAO V21

While typically made with bourbon, any spirit can work in an Old Fashioned. The Autumn Rum Old Fashioned is a perfect example. It’s a seasonal take on the classic Old Fashioned that emphasizes some of fall’s favorite flavors. When paired with a CAO V21, we found an incredible balance between the earthy Mexican San Andres wrapper and the sweet spice present in the Old Fashioned.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. of dark rum
• 1 bar spoon of apple cider syrup*
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange twist for garnish

Steps:

• Add the rum, apple cider syrup and Angostura bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
• Strain into an Old Fashioned glass.
• Run the orange twist around the rim of the drink, then drop it in. 

*To make the apple cider syrup, combine one cup of apple cider and two cups of brown sugar, stirring constantly. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue stirring until it’s reduced enough to coat your spoon. Add a pinch of salt, stir some more, and then allow it to cool.

#2: Pumpkin Spice Gin Sour + Camacho Corojo

You didn’t think we’d do a fall drink piece and not feature one with Pumpkin, did ya? Well, for this cocktail, you’re essentially making a classic gin sour. But, the addition of Trader Joe’s pumpkin butter adds flavors of pumpkin, sugar, honey, lemon, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. When this is paired with a bold, complex Camacho Corojo the nutty, spicy notes from the cigar create an amazing back and forth between the stogie and the drink. 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. of gin
• ½ a lemon to be juiced
• 1 tbsp. of pumpkin butter
• 1 egg white
• 1 cup of ice
• Thyme sprigs for garnish

Steps:

• Take your cocktail shaker and add the gin, lemon juice, pumpkin butter, and the egg white.
• Shake for roughly 15-20 seconds.
• Add your ice, then shake again for 15-20 seconds.
• Strain into your glass.
• Garnish with thyme.

#3: Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail + Partagas Black Label

 This bourbon apple cider cocktail has fall written all over it. Crisp apple cider, hearty bourbon, spicy cinnamon, and a hint of zest from the lemon and orange. It’s familiar but elegant, comforting but invigorating. And, when paired with the bold Connecticut Medio Tiempo wrapper from Partagas Black, it creates this unmistakable flavor combination that just feels nostalgic. 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 2 oz. apple cider
• ¼ oz. lemon juice
• ½ oz. cinnamon simple syrup
• Orange bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Steps:

• For the cinnamon simple syrup, bring water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a boil.
• Stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool. 
• For each drink, put some ice in a cocktail shaker and then add your bourbon, cider, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters.
• Shake until chilled.
• Pour into a glass over ice.
• Garnish with an orange peel

Do you have a favorite fall cocktail & cigar pairing? Let us know!