Fall is officially here, and you know what that means: It’s time to whip up a delicious seasonal drink. But when you’re stoking a fire and reaching for the bourbon, the last thing you want to think about is how many calories those spirits might be setting you back. Luckily, we found nine recipes with autumnal twists — all for 200 calories or less. (To slash that count even further, try using stevia instead of sugar, or hit up one of these other smart tips.) Now just sit back, relax and watch the leaves turn.
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10 Autumn Cocktail Recipes for Drinks You Won’t Regret
1. Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz (158 calories)
No artificial flavors here: This delicious drink features real pumpkin puree, in addition to apple cider, ginger beer and vanilla vodka. (Yes, that’s four essential fall flavors, all in one glass.) Plus, did we mention that pumpkin is a nutritional superstar? It’s loaded with vitamin A, packed with plenty of vitamin C and also squeezes in some carotenoids, which can help protect your eyes. Imbibe while carving your jack-o-lantern for optimal enjoyment! Photo and recipe: Brandon Matzek / Kitchen Konfidence
2. Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail (160 calories)
Pear’s fruitiness is a welcome reminder that warm temperatures haven’t fully made a break for it yet, while vanilla adds a hint of coziness to each sip. And you don’t even need added sugar to sweeten the deal — the fruit’s flavor takes care of that. Get fancy by rimming the glass with stevia for a final touch that’s sure to impress guests. Photo and recipe: Sarah Welle and Dulcie Cox / Two Tarts
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3. Cranberry Vodka Cocktail (184 calories)
Consider this a more sophisticated version of your standard college bar order. Cranberries are a signature cool-weather fruit (Thanksgiving, anyone?), and the fact that they’re loaded with antioxidants doesn’t hurt. A dash of ginger ale adds some fun bubbles, making this simple concoction feel like a real treat. Photo and recipe: Erin / Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
4. Caramel Apple Sangria (195 calories)
Crisp days call for caramel apples, but talk about a calorie bomb! Luckily, this drink can deliver your fix without leaving you guilt-ridden. Your big-batch combination of white wine, caramel vodka, apple cider and apples is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Even better, the fiber-packed apples will soak up some of that alcohol! Consider them boozy little presents you bestow upon yourself. Photo and recipe: Amanda Finks / The Wholesome Dish
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5. Cider Rum Punch (119 calories)
Who said rum punch was best enjoyed by the beach? Transition this favorite to fall by making your own thyme-infused simple syrup plus a dash of Angostura bitters. They’ll add a nice complexity to your glass — and make it the ideal drink for sweater weather. Photo and recipe: Mike / Verses from My Kitchen
6. Pumpkin Spice Dark and Stormy (139 calories)
The Dark and Stormy is the quintessential fall drink — and if you haven’t had one on a night that’s actually dark and stormy, well, it’s time to fix that. Use this healthier twist on the old classic as your foundation, then pumpkin it up with a flavored liqueur. May we suggest enjoying this one in front of a roaring fire? Photo and recipe: Liren Baker / Kitchen Confidante
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7. Apple Cider Mimosa (99 calories)
When you’re trying to drink mindfully, champagne or sparkling wine are often the best ways to get a slight buzz without going overboard on calories. Swap your OJ for some no-fuss apple cider for a fun twist. At less than 100 calories per glass, you can’t go wrong. Photo and recipe: Becky Hardin / The Cookie Rookie
8. Rum Hot Toddy (170 calories)
Hello, sneezing season. Your immunity can take a hit as the weather cools, and that’s where this Rum Hot Toddy comes in! The mixture of rum, honey, lemon and cinnamon will warm you from the inside out. Even better, honey’s a natural cold remedy. Photo and recipe: Aimee / Wallflower Girl
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9. Bourbon Chai Fizz (108 calories)
If you’ve got a hankering for some flavor, this cocktail has you covered. Unleash your inner Martha Stewart by making your own chai concentrate from spices like ginger, which can help soothe an upset stomach, star anise and cardamom. Together with bourbon and club soda, you have an herbaceous-ly awesome drink that’s way more unique than your usual bar sips. Photo and recipe: Annie D’Souza / The Midwestival
10. Pineapple Express Cocktail (177 calories)
Whoever said you can’t sip a pineapple-flavored drink in the fall, hasn’t tried this delicious mix. It incorporates a shrub — aka a vinegar-based syrup that sweetens the boozey beverage, without the extra sugar — made of pineapple and habanero peppers. You’ll love the blend of sweet and spicy, plus a little throwback to summer. Photo and recipe: Jsix at the Hotel Salomar / Life by Daily Burn
Originally published October 2015. Updated October 2016.