For many of us, Labor Day weekend signals the unofficial start of the fall season. Summer was fantastic, but I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had enough of the heat. The nights start getting a bit cooler, and the typical fall festivities begin to kick off across the nation. What does that mean for us cigar lovers? Not only does fall bring some great cigar smoking weather, but it gets us in the mood for some great fall drinks. So, now is the time to start thinking about which drinks make the best fall cocktails to pair with your favorite sticks. Here are a few of our favorite pairings.
Hot Apple Cider
Apple cider is a classic – simple as that. With the right ingredients, it’s one of the best fall cocktails around. Apples come into the season starting in September and can be found readily in your nearest grocery store. Perfect for a brisk afternoon, simply throw your cider in a pot, add some mulling spices, and let it simmer. Since cider tends to be on the sweeter side, try and pair this one with a milder cigar – a mild Connecticut usually fits the bill. In the mood for a little extra zing? Add a splash of bourbon and dash of cinnamon – we wouldn’t steer you wrong.
The Classic Old Fashioned
Whiskey and cigars go together like peanut butter and jelly – you often can’t find the two apart. That makes it an excellent pick for one of the best fall cocktails. The Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail that pairs nicely with a variety of cigars, from mild to full-flavored. There are plenty of recipes out there, and each one of us has our favorite. The ingredients are simple: your favorite bourbon, bitters, orange, and a cherry – nothing anything fancy here. To spice this one up for fall, add a shot of maple syrup – it doesn’t get much more ‘Fall’ than that.
A Dark Roast Coffee
Are you a fan of the breakfast cigar? Yeah, we are too. If you’ve never sat bundled up on the porch during a cool fall morning to enjoy a nice, hot coffee and a cigar, put that on your list for this fall. Any cigar will fit the bill here, but a dark, oily Maduro seems to go hand in hand with a fine espresso roast. Cigars can be complemented by many different drinks, but good, rich coffee is a fantastic choice for any season – especially fall.
A Single Malt Scotch
No surprises on this one. Now that fall is here, you can set aside some of your clear liquors and bring in some of the brown stuff. A good scotch is a classic cigar pairing that’s known by most of us out there. The brand and type of scotch are largely personal preferences, and the choices out there are endless. The nice thing about scotch? No matter the occasion – whether it’s a college football tailgate, apple picking adventure, or crisp afternoon at home – you can usually convince a buddy to come help share your fine bottle of scotch and nice cigars. The best part? All you need is the bottle, a glass, and your cigar – talk about no fuss.
photo credit: Pixabay