Autumn Gin Sour Recipe

Crisp Autumn Gin Sour Recipe: Fall’s Coziest Cocktail

Crisp autumn evenings call for a delightful autumn gin sour that captures seasonal magic in a glass.

Mixology mavens know how to blend unexpected ingredients for maximum flavor impact.

Smooth gin provides a robust backbone to this elegant cocktail.

Cinnamon and fresh apple notes dance across your palate with each sip.

Fragrant herbs complement the spirit’s botanical essence, creating a complex drinking experience.

Balanced sweetness from maple syrup offers a warm, inviting undertone.

You’ll love how this sophisticated cocktail brings cozy vibes to your home bar.

Shake, pour, and savor every remarkable moment of this liquid autumn masterpiece.

Gin Sour With Autumn Warmth and Citrus Notes

  • Quick Seasonal Delight: Captures the warm, cozy essence of autumn in a single cocktail.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Appeals to gin lovers and seasonal cocktail enthusiasts with its balanced sweet-tart flavor profile.
  • Instant Entertaining Magic: Perfect for fall gatherings, dinner parties, or relaxing evening wind-downs with minimal preparation time.

Autumn Gin Sour Ingredients

Base Spirits:
  • Gin: Classic base for a smooth, botanical cocktail foundation, choose a quality London dry or botanical gin for best flavor.
Citrus and Fruit:
  • Lemon Juice, Apple Cider: Fresh, bright citrus and seasonal apple notes create a balanced, tangy autumn profile, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Sweeteners:
  • Maple Syrup: Rich, natural sweetener that adds warm autumn depth, pure maple syrup recommended for authentic flavor.
Garnish:
  • Apple Slice, Cinnamon Stick, Ground Cinnamon: Decorative and aromatic elements that enhance visual appeal and provide seasonal warmth, choose crisp apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
Ice:
  • Ice Cubes: Essential for chilling and diluting the cocktail, use filtered water for clean, clear ice.

Gin Sour Autumn Cocktail Method

Step 1: Chill The Cocktail Shaker

Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it completely with ice cubes.

The more ice, the better the chill for your delightful autumn cocktail.

Step 2: Combine Liquid Ingredients

Pour the following ingredients into the ice-filled shaker:
  • Gin
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Apple cider
  • Maple syrup

Step 3: Shake With Passion

Hold the shaker tightly and shake the mixture powerfully for 15-20 seconds.

You want to hear the ice cracking and ingredients blending perfectly.

Step 4: Create Your Serving Glass

Select a rocks glass and fill it with fresh ice cubes.

This will keep your cocktail cool and refreshing.

Step 5: Strain And Decorate

Carefully strain the chilled mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.

Add your elegant finishing touches:
  • Apple slice
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Sprinkle of ground cinnamon

Step 6: Savor Your Autumn Delight

Serve the cocktail immediately and enjoy the warm, cozy flavors of the season in every sip.

Cocktail Mixing Tips for Autumn Gin Sour

  • Choose high-quality gin with botanical notes to complement the apple cider's sweetness for a more complex cocktail experience.
  • Use large, clear ice cubes that melt slower, maintaining the drink's strength and preventing rapid watering down.
  • Adjust maple syrup and lemon juice ratios to suit your taste preferences, creating a personalized autumn cocktail.
  • Select a beautiful rocks glass and create an artful apple slice or cinnamon stick garnish to enhance visual appeal.
  • Experiment with different fall-inspired liqueurs or substitute apple cider with pear or spiced cider for unique variations.

Autumn Gin Sour Storage

  • Store leftover cocktail in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Seal tightly to preserve flavor and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Always give the stored cocktail a gentle shake or stir before drinking to remix the ingredients that may have settled.
  • Do not freeze this cocktail, as the alcohol and fresh ingredients will separate and lose their original taste and texture.
  • For best quality, prepare a new cocktail instead of reheating, as the fresh lemon juice and apple cider are best when just mixed.

Sip Pairings for Autumn Gin Sour

  • Savor Seasonal Charcuterie: Pair the Autumn Gin Sour with a charcuterie board featuring aged cheddar, candied pecans, and dried apple slices for a complementary autumn flavor profile.
  • Elevate with Roasted Appetizers: Serve alongside herb-roasted butternut squash or crispy sage-infused chicken bites that echo the cocktail's warm, spiced notes and enhance the drink's complex character.
  • Match with Harvest Cheese: Select creamy goat cheese or a sharp blue cheese to contrast the cocktail's bright acidity and highlight its subtle maple and apple undertones.
  • Complement with Spiced Dessert: Finish the experience with a cinnamon-dusted apple galette or maple pecan tart that mirrors the cocktail's seasonal ingredients and provides a sweet, harmonious conclusion.

Autumn Gin Sour Fall Cocktail Takes

  • Spiced Rum Autumn Warmer: Replace gin with spiced rum for a deeper, warmer flavor profile that complements the apple cider and maple notes.
  • Non-Alcoholic Autumn Mocktail: Swap gin with sparkling apple juice or ginger ale, keeping the maple syrup and lemon juice for a family-friendly version.
  • Whiskey Harvest Cocktail: Substitute gin with bourbon or rye whiskey to create a richer, more robust autumn-inspired drink with similar seasonal ingredients.
  • Vegan Friendly Adaptation: Use agave nectar instead of maple syrup to ensure the cocktail remains completely plant-based while maintaining the sweet undertones.

FAQs

  • What type of gin works best for this cocktail?

Choose a botanical gin with notes of juniper and herbs, which will complement the apple cider and maple syrup flavors.

  • Can I make this cocktail without a cocktail shaker?

While a cocktail shaker helps create the perfect texture, you can use a mason jar or sealed container with a tight lid to mix and chill the ingredients.

  • Is this drink too strong or sweet?

The balance of gin, lemon juice, apple cider, and maple syrup creates a well-rounded cocktail that’s neither too strong nor overly sweet, with a crisp autumn flavor profile.

  • How can I adjust the sweetness level?

Easily modify the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup to suit your personal taste preferences.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Autumn Gin Sour Recipe

Autumn Gin Sour Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Crisp Canadian autumn inspires this gin sour with maple syrup’s rich sweetness balancing tart lemon and smooth botanical gin. Elegant cocktail mixology creates a perfectly balanced drink that transports seasonal spirits into your glass.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Spirits:

  • 2 oz (60 ml) gin

Fruit Juices and Cider:

  • 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz (30 ml) apple cider

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • 1/2 oz (15 ml) maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Additional Components:

  • Ice

Garnish (Optional):

  • Apple slice
  • Cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. Chill a cocktail shaker by filling it with ice cubes to create a frosty environment for mixing.
  2. Pour the gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, crisp apple cider, and rich maple syrup into the shaker, ensuring all ingredients are measured precisely.
  3. Seal the shaker tightly and aggressively shake the mixture for about 20 seconds, allowing the ingredients to blend and the drink to become intensely cold.
  4. Prepare a rocks glass by adding a fresh layer of ice to keep the cocktail perfectly chilled.
  5. Strain the vibrant liquid from the shaker into the prepared glass, ensuring a smooth and clean pour.
  6. Elevate the presentation by artfully garnishing with a thinly sliced apple wedge or an aromatic cinnamon stick.
  7. For an extra touch of warmth and spice, delicately dust the surface with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
  8. Serve the cocktail immediately to capture its optimal temperature and flavor profile, inviting your guests to savor this seasonal libation.

Notes

  • Boost flavor complexity by choosing a botanical gin with herbal or spicy undertones that complement autumn’s warmth.
  • Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for different sweetness levels, catering to varied taste preferences.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant citrus notes compared to bottled alternatives.
  • Prepare apple slice garnish just before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp, fresh appearance.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 175
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star