8 cocktails that will be everywhere this season, according to bartenders

• Business Insider asked bartenders which cocktails they expect to be popular this fall.
• They said classics like martinis and hot toddies will be back with a seasonal twist.
• The pros also expect to see more chai-based drinks and clarified milk punches.

As the leaves begin to change color and the days become cooler, bartenders are busy crafting seasonal cocktail menus for the autumn months.

To help get ready for the new season, Business Insider asked bartenders which drinks they expect will be popular this fall. Here’s what they said.

Martinis with a savory twist will take center stage.

Rashad Joy, lead bartender and mixologist at Montauk Restaurant in California, predicts we’ll see a rise in savory martinis this season.

For example, menus will include twists on a traditional dirty martini with seasonal herbs and flavors.

“Fall presents warmer ingredients, like savory flavors. You can take a dirty martini and make it more savory with ingredients like smoked rosemary because it pairs well with the saltiness of the olives,” Joy told BI.

Clarified milk punches are set to experience a resurgence.

Harry Kaufman, lead bartender at Odo Lounge in New York City, expects clarified milk punches to soar in popularity this season.

“Clarified milk punches are a great platform to use seasonal ingredients because you have a lot of leeway to use more flavors,” Kaufman told BI.

Seasonal variations of hot toddies will likely be everywhere.

The hot toddy is a fan favorite in the cooler months for its warmth and coziness, and Joy anticipates seeing various twists on it this season.

“With apples and stone fruits like peaches and plums this season, you can put a seasonal twist on the traditional hot toddy for hints of these flavors,” Joy said.

More chai beverages could make their way onto cocktail menus.

It’s no secret that pumpkin and apple are popular fall flavors, but this season, Joy expects chai to be a popular choice as well.

“In terms of incorporating spice, you always have pumpkin spice this time of year, but I would love to see more housemade chai on cocktail menus this season,” Joy said.

He added that chai often works well in an espresso martini and brings the seasonal spiciness people crave in the fall.

Carajillos will be a fall favorite, offering room for seasonal ingredients.

A carajillo contains two ingredients — espresso and Licor 43. Kristine Gutierrez, general manager and bartender at Kabin cocktail bar in New York City, told BI it’s a simple cocktail with room to play.

“More bars are adding carajillos to their menu and putting on their own variations, which is great,” she said.

Seasonal ingredients and infusions like pumpkin, apple, spice, and smoke build upon the classic carajillo taste.

Adding hints of apple and cinnamon to a bee’s knees makes it a perfect fall transitional cocktail.

The bee’s knees, a cocktail made with gin, lemon, and honey, is known for its refreshing, balanced flavor profile. Joy said with a couple of tweaks, this cocktail can easily become a fall favorite.

“Adding fresh apple juice and grated cinnamon on top of a bee’s knees makes this traditional cocktail more seasonal and adds warmer notes to the beverage,” Joy told BI.

Pandan cocktails will be everywhere this season.

Pandan is a tropical plant with spear-like leaves, characterized by a vibrant green color and a flavor profile comparable to vanilla and coconut.

According to Kaufman, this ingredient is popular in the bar community right now.

He told BI Southeast Asian spices are having a moment, and many bars are experimenting with their own pandan syrups and cocktails, like a pandan toddy or an old-fashioned.

The sherry flip could become a fall favorite.

A sherry flip is a cocktail that’s made with a whole egg, sugar, and a spirit or fortified wine. It’s often served with grated nutmeg sprinkled on top.

According to Kaufman, it could be a popular choice this fall for its creamy taste and texture.

“The cocktail is a really nice change of pace as long as you’re okay with a dessert-like taste, even if the actual beverage isn’t super sweet,” Kaufman said.

This story was originally published on September 19, 2025, and most recently updated on October 7, 2025.

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