As the burnt hues of autumn begin to paint the sky, there's an undeniable allure to the cosy embrace of seasonal nights. It's that time of year when we unbox our favourite blankets, eagerly anticipating their warmth as we huddle around the bonfire, creating memories that will be cherished for seasons to come.
Amidst this seasonal spectacle, the opportunity arises to indulge in the warm, spicy embrace of autumn flavours. And what better way to celebrate this enchanting season than with a collection of Alcohol-Free cocktails that capture the essence of cardigan-clad evenings? These spookily stunning drinks from Wise Bartender promise to be the perfect companions for your autumn nights.
Vegan Sticky Chai Latte
Sticky chai is one of the fastest growing trends in Autumn comforts, and it’s no wonder when it combines soothing spices with the sugary flavours we all crave as we bundle ourselves into knitted jumpers. Many tea companies have their own variation on the classic sticky chai, from traditional recipes to gingerbread and even banana, so you can pick your own poison.
The premise of sticky chai is simple; a moreish blend of black tea with carefully selected spices and a natural sweetener like honey, agave or syrup, that gives its signature sticky texture. So easy to make vegan and we believe it’s even tastier when you do, this sticky chai recipe will leave you feeling cosy inside.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp sticky chai mix
- 100ml oat milk
- 200ml water
- 1 tbsp honey
-
2 tsp Myth Spiced Dark Cane Alcohol Free Spirit
- Ground nutmeg
Recipe:
- Add the water and sticky chai mix to a small saucepan
- Bring to the boil and simmer for two minutes to steep
- Stir the mix to prevent sticking
- Add the honey to sweeten
- Add the milk and stir for a further 2 minutes, or until the milk is heated
- Remove from the heat and add the Rum
- Froth until a layer of foam develops
- Gently pour into a mug and spoon the foam onto the top
- Finish with a sprinkle of nutmeg
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
You may never have considered adding wine to your hot chocolate but if you’re looking for a gorgeously rich, grown-up alternative to your standard evening drink, this is the one for you.
We recommend using our recently stocked NEWBLOOD Shiraz for the perfect velvety beverage that is certain to become a new household favourite. Whether you’re enjoying this with your friends or sneaking into the garden with your partner to soak up the sunset after putting the kids to bed, this AF tipple can be sipped at any time of the day as the months turn from summer.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chunks (milk or dark to your preference)
- 4 cups full fat milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 300ml NEWBLOOD Shiraz Alcohol Free Red Wine
Recipe:
- Add the milk and chocolate chunks to a large saucepan
- Heat and whisk until the chocolate has melted and combined
- Add the spices and stir to combine
- Finally, pour in the wine and leave on the heat until its hot
- If you wish, top with your usual serving of whipped cream and marshmallows
Tip top tipple advice: Serve with fire-toasted marshmallows for extra gooey goodness
Turmeric Latte
Our second latte of the day, but certainly not the lesser in flavour, is the Turmeric Latte. Originating in India and gaining a reputation for its golden colour and simple method, this warming treat is not only beautiful to look at and drink, but also fantastic for your gut health. What more could you want from an autumn beverage?
Well, a little alcohol-free spiced rum ought to do the trick - or treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk
- Fresh turmeric
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- Fresh ginger
- Ground pepper
- 2 tsp sh Caribbean Spiced Spirit Alcohol Free Rum
Recipe:
- Grate 1 tsp of fresh turmeric and 1 tsp of fresh ginger
- Combine the ingredients in a blender
- Heat in a saucepan until hot
- Pour into a mug of your choice
- Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Pumpkin-tini
Where would autumn be in 2023 without the emergence of PSL season? Well, hold onto your knitted hats because we’re about to blow the pumpkin spiced latte out of the frosty water with a Pumpkin Spiced Martini. Or, as we’ve crowned it, the Pumpkin-tini.
Although this drink is served chilled, there is something truly soothing about the spices within this variation on a classic cocktail, which is why we think it’s the ideal candidate for serving to your friends as you curl up in front of your favourite spooky movies. Boo, you know you want to.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp Pumpkin puree
- 60ml New London Light (NLL) First Light Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
-
30ml Myth Spiced Dark Cane Alcohol Free Spirit
- ¼ tsp Vanilla extract
- 15ml heavy cream
- Maple syrup
- Ground ginger
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground cloves
- Ground cinnamon
Recipe:
- Combine the ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon to create a pumpkin spice mix
- Combine a few ice cubes with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, vodka, rum, vanilla extract and a dash of maple syrup.
- Shake vigorously until it feels chilled
- Stir in the cream until it comes together
- Strain into a martini glass
- Finish with an extra dash of pumpkin spice
Tip top tipple advice: For an additional hit of indulgence, garnish with cream and a cinnamon stick.
If these mocktail ideas don’t leave you feeling warm and toasty inside, then you may find your autumn drinks inspiration from the wide range of pre-mixed cocktails from Wise Bartender.
