Where to Find Cozy Cocktails to Keep You Warm This Autumn

Ever since it officially became autumn (and I was reluctantly forced to put my summer gear into storage) there’s been a distinct crispness in the air. My partner likes to call that feeling where the season has definitely shifted and there’s no going back the undertone of fall. I, on the other hand, call it mourning. I’m a summer gal at heart and once that undertone arrives, you best know I’m shivering in my galoshes.

The only way to survive such brutal cold (I know, I can’t believe it’s 13-degrees either) is sipping on something that warms you from the inside out. Yes, obviously just a regular ol’ cup o’ Joe could do that too, but with these boozy drinks you’re getting double the warmth, plus the ambiance. And when the leaves are falling, the wind is whipping and there’s a toque secured on your head for the foreseeable future, it really doesn’t get better than that.

Spiked Chai at Bacchus

The Wedgewood’s lounge and restaurant, Bacchus, is ushering in autumn energy with its cocktail, the “Chai This”. House-made chai syrup is combined with steamed milk (non-dairy alternatives available), white rum, Irish cream liquor, just enough maple syrup and freshly ground cinnamon to create a spiced, boozy berverage ideal for cozying up by fireplace. Luckily, Bacchus has one of those, too.

Where to buy: Bacchus Restaurant

Maple Pear Mule and Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Cocktail at Glowbal Restaurant 

Downtown’s Glowbal Restaurant leans into the season with two autumn cocktails that come over ice, but thanks to toasty spices are still just as warming as their  counterparts. First up is the maple-roasted pear mule, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, maple-roasted pear (of course), lime, maple syrup, fresh, spicy ginger and ginger beer.

Call me basic but the next cocktail is right up my alley thanks to its mashup of the ever-popular espresso martini and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte: the “Pumpkin Spice Pick Me Up”.  It combines Kahula, cold brew, Frangelico, pumpkin spice cream foam and coffee smoke, and might just be the cocktail of the season.

Where to buy: Glowbal Restaurant

Spiked Winter Tea at Mèreon Bistro

North Van’s Mèreon Bistro leans into elevated comfort with its Spiked Winter Tea cocktail: Earl Grey-infused Ketel One is combined with Chambord, spiced blackberry orange cordial, OJ, Family Perrin Ventoux Rouge (a rich, spicy red wine) and a dash of tiki bitters. The resulting cocktail is balanced, not too sweet and just spiced enough to welcome in the cold weather.

Where to buy: Mèreon Bistro

Mulled Wine at Dahlia and Lavantine at Azur Legacy Collection Hotel

The first thing I start Googling when the weather shifts is mulled wine—it’s essentially my drink to transition through the seasons, and both Dahlia and Lavantine have captured my heart with their take on the classic cold weather beverage. Made with Rioja Spanish wine, fresh oranges, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, saffron, cranberries, maple syrup, Hennessy and Cointreau Noir, and served from a constantly-heated pot, this drink is everything I’m looking for to keep the winter-scaries away.

Price: Varies

Where to buy: Both Dahlia and Lavantine

Low-ABV Matcha Cocktail at The Victor

The Victor is raising a glass to autumn weather with its low-ABV winter warmer, the Kotatsu, made of brewmaster’s sake, roku gin, matcha, oloroso sherry, citrus oleo sacchrum and a green tea Pocky stick (which might just be the best garnish, well, ever).

Where to buy: The Victor

Classic Irish Coffee at Black and Blue

Black and Blue is staying true to the roots of the Irish coffee cocktail—it’s using the OG recipe that was unveiled in 1952 at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco, which includes Irish whiskey, demerara sugar, coffee and lightly hand-whipped cream. And according to the restaurant, “the key is to get the cream just right so it floats evenly on top.” We don’t disagree.

Where to buy: Black and Blue

Pumpkin Spice Coffee at Greendale Acres

Sure, originally I said this was about boozy warmers, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a pumpkin-spiced coffee that isn’t made with all those artificial syrups (that, not-so-hot-take, tastes nothing like what they claim to). Greendale Acres Farm in Chilliwack is one of those autumn-musts—yes, they have a corn maze—and while you’re wandering around in the great outdoors a hot drink is quite literally necessary. The farm’s iteration of the classic coffee comes with real cream, maple syrup and a blend of warming spices.

Where to buy: greendaleacres.ca

Wildlands at H Tasting Lounge

H Tasting Lounge has a deeply flavourful cocktail that also gives back. The drink, which features Wild Turkey 101 rye, vetiver liqueur, Fernet Hunter BC, Peace River bee pollen, rosemary alt. acid, chamomile, blueberry and Peychaud’s, is inspired by the impact that the Alberta and B.C. wildfires had on the wild bee populations—and proceeds from each Wildlands cocktail sold will go to the Canadian Red Cross. Sip worthy, indeed.

Where to buy: H Tasting Lounge