The beginning of fall is a great time to be in New York, and not the least because of the fresh set of autumn cocktails to enjoy. The best of the city's bars and restaurants, including Clay, Felidia, and Suzuki, are switching up their menus and ushering in a bevy of seasonal cocktails, so get out and enjoy!
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Midtown West
Strip House brings New York soaring steak, sides, and desserts to two convenient locations near Union Square and Bryant Park. This fall, don't miss special seasonal cocktail the Orchard Spritz. It's a lovely blend of Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, and Strongbow Original Dry Hard Cider, with another dimension provided by fresh citrus juices. Strip House Downtown, 13 E. 12th St., 212-328-0000, striphouse.com/venues/downtown; Strip House Midtown, 15 W. 44th St., 212-336-5454, striphouse.com/venues/midtown
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Midtown West
For fall, Japanese modern destination Suzuki offers The Apple Dream—a cocktail that celebrates one of autumn’s favorite fruits. A refreshing fusion of green and red apple puree, and vodka, The Apple Dream is also crafted with Grand Marnier and splashes of lemon and apple juices. 114 W. 47th St., 212-278-0010, suzukinyc.com
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Harlem
Beverage Director Andrea Needell Matteliano is serving up two autumn-inspired cocktails at Clay that are ideal for warming up on crisp evenings. Sweater Weather is as cozy as it sounds. It’s crafted with the warming flavors of rum, cognac, and dry curacao. It also boasts refreshing cranberry, citrusy lemon, mulling spices, and a hint of vanilla. Clay also offers an elevated apple cider cocktail called Moonglow, which boasts blended scotch, pear brandy, and birch snaps along with rich maple syrup, citrusy lemon juice, apple cider, and fresh ginger. 553 Manhattan Ave., 212-729-1850, claynyc.com
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Midtown East
Italian eatery Felidia’s Executive Chef Fortunato Nicotra pays homage to the enticing flavors of autumn by offering an innovative Butternut Squash Daiquiri. The colorful cocktail is made with coarsely-grated and peeled butternut squash, dark rum, lime juice, and sugar. 243 E. 58th St., 212-758-1479, felidia-nyc.com
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Greenwich Village
North Fork’s owner and Beverage Director Vincent Albin lures fall enthusiasts with a soul-warming apple cider cocktail. The East River is a fusion of bourbon and apple cider. It flaunts a cinnamon-sugar rim and is embellished with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Albin’s picturesque Grand Fizz cocktail is made with rum, Grand Marnier, sage-infused simple syrup, figs, lemon juice, and club soda. 122 Christopher St., 347-403-2167, northforknyc.com
Best NYC Cocktails This Fall: Flatiron
The Little Beet Table—a mod eatery offering organic, vegetarian-focused, and gluten-free fare—offers a seasonal take on a classic cocktail. Its herbaceous gin and tonic is made with lemongrass-infused gin, reduced beet syrup, and tonic. The naturally sweet and earthy beet flavor is complemented by the bright lemongrass-infused gin. “I see a trend of craft cocktails taking an even more culinary approach. For us, that means working closely with our chef to cross-utilize menu components, and working them into our cocktail recipes. Not only does this approach better align the food and cocktails, but it reduces waste and keeps ingredients even fresher and more seasonal,” says Adam Cornelius, Director of Operations, The Little Beet Table. 333 Park Ave. S., 212-466-3330, thelittlebeettable.com