A Botanical Bartender’s Guide for Fall

Garden-to-glass mixology is made approachable and easy in San Diego, where the seasonal bounty of fresh produce and locally made products provides delightful ingredients to create cocktails with year-round. While the summer months are a fun time to shake up bright and refreshing sips, the approach of autumn also calls for cozy, grounding beverages. Finding a balance between brightness and warmth is an ideal way to capture the essence of our extended summer and the flavors that thrive during this time. 

Stone fruit is a star of summer, though its short-lived seasonality requires some resourcefulness in order to sustain these flavors into the fall. Shrubs, or drinking vinegars, date back to the 17th century as a way to preserve fruits in the off-season without refrigeration. Preparing a shrub—which is a relatively simple combo of fruit + sweetener + vinegar — with seasonal fruit like nectarines, peaches, or berries, extends the shelf life of summer flavors and brings balance between acidity and bright fruity sweetness in cocktails. This Stone Fruit in Session cocktail, which can be easily made ahead of time, also has a low ABV, making it perfect for daytime drinking at a park picnic or backyard gathering. Shrubs are great to use in non-alcoholic drinks as well. For an elevated zero-proof beverage, simply combine with sparkling water or, for an extra probiotic kick, opt for a botanical soda like OLIPOP or a local kombucha from Babe or Superfood & Company. 

Early autumn is all about pears and apples and it’s almost as if the cool crispness of the changing weather is packed into each bite. Both match nicely with warm spices resemblant of fall, so it's possible to create a drink that is equally refreshing for late summer with hints of the changing season. The overall medicinal and antioxidant benefits of ginger and cinnamon make this Spiced Pear Collins a satisfying September sipper that will help build up your immunity for the cold season. 

Oh, glorious figs, here at last! Since seasonal availability is limited, figs are a definite go-to for cocktails. With several varieties and flavor profiles, there are many concoctions to create with them. Black mission figs are readily available, rich with berry-tinged sweetness, making these gems perfect for creating a drink featuring the earthy warming spices of fall like cloves or cardamom. Figs are packed with healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, plus fiber and antioxidants. Paired with the herbal and botanical notes of Amaro Nonino, which has hints of delicate spice, orange, and cinnamon, this spirit-forward Figaro cocktail makes for a decadently cozy autumnal nightcap. 

When it comes to selecting spirits to mix with, San Diego is fast becoming a great area for sustainably produced options made with locally sourced botanicals. Two of the most progressive sustainable distilleries to come on the scene in the last few years, Misadventure & Co. and ReBru Spirits, offer quality gin and vodka options that are better for the planet and taste delicious! Other local distilleries to check out include Old Harbor, Seven Caves, and Malahat, which all produce excellent quality spirits.