Autumn Leaves recipe
A sophisticated autumn cocktail pairing high-proof rye, apple brandy, and herbal Strega.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Old fashioned glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Straight rye whiskey (High-proof preferred)
- 3/4 oz Apple brandy (Bonded or artisanal apple jack)
- 3/4 oz Sweet vermouth (Rich and aromatic)
- 1/4 oz Strega (Italian herbal liqueur)
- 2 dashes Cinnamon tincture (Or rich cinnamon syrup)
How to make a Autumn Leaves
- Combine the rye whiskey, apple brandy, sweet vermouth, Strega, and cinnamon tincture in a mixing glass.
- Add cracked ice and stir thoroughly for approximately thirty seconds to chill and dilute.
- Strain the mixture into an old fashioned glass filled with a large clear ice cube.
- Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop the peel into the glass as garnish.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh orange peel twist.
Pro tip
Using a high-proof rye whiskey prevents the drink from becoming cloying against the rich apple brandy and sweet vermouth. Adjust the cinnamon tincture carefully so the spice accentuates rather than overpowers the herbal Strega notes.
History of the Autumn Leaves
Created by bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler at the Bel Ami Lounge in Eugene, Oregon, and later popularized during his tenure at Clyde Common in Portland, the Autumn Leaves cocktail emerged during the modern craft beverage renaissance of the late 2000s. While frequently celebrated as a definitive seasonal benchmark bridging whiskey and orchard fruit, cocktail historians note that similar split-base autumnal riffs appeared in earlier mid-century mixing guides. This particular formulation stands out for uniting spicy rye, apple brandy, and Italian Strega.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Spicy, Fruit-forward, Complex
Variations
- Fallen Leaves — Substitute calvados with pear brandy and add a dash of chocolate bitters.
- Monk's Orchard — Use aged rum in place of rye whiskey and yellow Chartreuse instead of Strega.
Practise making the Autumn Leaves in the free Virtual Bar game.