Warm days and cool nights: cocktails for fall

Like the changing color of leaves, cocktails around New York City are evolving from frozen and citrusy selections to apple, ginger and cranberry concoctions; from vodka and tequila to Amaro, bitters and Cynar. Say goodbye to massive margaritas and hello to stimulating ciders.
The cooler season is officially underway. Bars, restaurants and lounges are changing their drink menus to reflect the time of year, and to celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of great cocktails, and recommend you try them all.

The Pueblo Guillermo

This is a serious drink, made with all spirits and nothing else. Two ounces of Bourbon, .75 ounces of Cynar and .25 ounces of Fernet Branca make up this extraordinary drink, served stright up and cold. Cynar is the heady flavor in this one. An Italian liqueur made from 13 different plants and herbs with a predominant artichoke flavor, Cynar is gaining in popularity among artisan bartenders and drinkers alike. $12, The Third Man, 116 Avenue C.,212-598-1040, thethirdmannyc.com

Apple D.E.W

With a dash of Angostura bitters, a glass of Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey plus pressed apple juice adding a little spice, this drink is like a warm apple pie. The whiskey has a vanilla hint, unintentionally making it a dessert-inspired drink. $12. Coopers Craft & Kitchen, 87 Second Ave., 646-606-2384, coopersnyc.com

Tom's River

This drink has a velvety and smooth texture and is made with roasted tomatoes, brown butter apple jack brandy, plum, cachaca and lemon, all mixed together, making for a rich round of drinks. The color looks like the color of changing leaves, too! $12. Louro, 142 W. 10th St., 212-206-0606, louronyc.com

Cali Cafe

Caliche Rum offers hints of vanilla and caramel with a balance of citrus flavors alongside maraschino, cherry heering (liqueur), dark simple syrup and of course, cold brewed coffee for those not quite ready to give up iced java at the turn of the season. Sip in a Spiegelau Lounge Tumbler for best taste. $14. Le Bernardin, 155 W. 51st St., 212-554-1515, le-bernardin.com

Spiced Pear Martini

Pear puree, cinnamon and Pisco, shaken with lime juice and spiced chancaca simple syrup is a fitting fruity drink for fall. The perfect pour-alternative to pumpkin, this Peruvian kitchen's martini offers spice, a pear slice and everything nice. $13. Raymi, 43 W. 24th St., 212-929-1200, rayminyc.com

Apple Cinnamon Martini

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. If mixed drinks count, we've found our remedy: vodka and sour apple pucker with a cinnamon rim and a sliced apple cube for garnish. The cinnamon aroma is complimentary, adding to the taste of the cocktail, which leaves an enjoyable lingering flavor. $13. Appetito Ristorante, 47 W. 39th St., 212-391-5286, appetitoristorante.com

Cape Cutter

The house-made cranberry jam and spiced rum combination makes for a sweet and sour cocktail. Pimm's, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup and a thyme sprig are shaken, and topped with club soda for completion. $18. Bar Pleiades at The Surrey Hotel, 20 E. 76th St., 212-905-1477, barpleiades.com

Haymaker

A full-bodied and mildly carbonated beer cocktail infuses Blue Moon Wheat Ale with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and lemon. The warmth of whiskey and cinnamon-infused simple syrup compliments the crisp air of autumn. $14. Bounce Sporting Club, 55 W. 21st St., 212-776-1997, bounceny.com

Spiked Harvest Cider

Subtly sweet and warming Breckenridge Bourbon, cinnamon agave and lemon juice are added to a house-mulled cider for this seasonal staple. The cider is often made and served in a cona, a vacuum coffee maker that can also be used for hewing, or slicing, coffee beans. $15. David Burke Kitchen, 23 Grand St., 212-201-9119, davidburkekitchen.com

Night with a Carioca

A take on the Brazilian Caipirinha, brightened by grapes, muddled lime wheels and Maraschino liquor with Leblon Cachaca Rum, is shaken and served on the rocks. The cherry and grape mix is a change from summer's common cherry garnishes and glasses of grapefruit juice. $12. Millesime Restaurant at the Carlton Hotel, 92 Madison Ave., 212-889-7100, millesimenyc.com

Lavender Bees Knees (pictured)

Lavender is in the air? and in drinks, with the arrival of autumn. Bombay Sapphire, lemon juice and lavender honey syrup make a relaxing and sweet stir at the bar or in the restaurant of this dimly lit destination. $16. Forty Four at the Royalton Hotel, 44 W. 44th St., 212-944-8844, royaltonhotel.com

Kings Old Fashioned

Watching Central Park change colors from an unobstructed view may be the best part of this sky-high bar, second to its cocktail choices. With nutty flavors of bourbon and walnut syrup, and a bit of citrus from a lemon and orange twist, there is a sweet taste with tons of flavor in this drink fit for a king -- or queen. $16. Center Bar, 10 Columbus Circle, 4th Fl, 212-823-9482, centerbarnyc.com

Aztec Spiced Hot Chocolate

As fall begins to fade, there's a silver tequila cocktail for the hot chocolate-lover (cinnamon stick included!). Spiced chocolate is heated in a kettle and mixed with silver tequila to create an equally balanced smooth and rich treat. $10. Cielo Bar, 474 Myrtle Ave., Fort Greene, 347-529-4143, cielobarbrooklyn.com

Lepanto? Goes Mastiha

Named for Chef Maria Loi's Greek hometown (Lepanto, and Mastiha is Greek liquor), the mix of muddled cucumber, mint and pomegranate, poured over ice and finished with soda water, is a new fall favorite. Speaking of specialties: don't leave without trying the baklava. $14. Loi Restaurant, 208 W 70th St., 212-875-8600, loirestaurant.com

(WITH GEORGIA KRAL)