If you’re a foodie, you know one of the best parts about the changing seasons is our local restaurants dropping fresh new menus, drinks, and specials. Right now, tons of Charlotte restaurants are rolling out their fall menus, and we have our eyes on these cocktail and mocktail specials for the season.
Where to Get Our Favorite Fall Cocktails
Sea Level NC
129 E 5th St
Sea Level NC has a fall cocktail that tastes good and does good. The October Rising tide cocktail at Sea Level, called the Azure Alchemy, will donate two dollars of each sold to Crittenton, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower women and children through education, health, residential care, and supportive services. The cocktail includes Mezcal, kalamansi lime juice, cucumber, ginger, jalapeño agave and electricdust. Yum!
Ace No. 3
101 S. Tryon St, Unit 120 (NEW Uptown Location!)
829 Providence Rd (Myer’s Park)
1001 Belmont Ave (Belmont)
8520 Pit Stop Ct NW #10 (Concord)
You might not think a burger joint as a place to get fall cocktails, but Ace No. 3 has a can’t miss Pumpkin Spice Boozee. It’s an adult milkshake with a vanilla soft serve base, pumpkin syrup, and a shot of Sailor Jerry. It’s the perfect sweet treat for fall.
The Waterman South End
The Smoke Jack (cocktail): High Tide Hospitality Jack Daniels Whiskey barrel pick, demerara, Crude Orange and Fig Bitters, orange peel, housemade brandied cherry, table-side smoke presentation.
Napa Restaurants
Eastover/Myers Park at 110 Perrin Place
Kingsley at 1310 Broadcloth Street Suite 101, Fort Mill SC
Stonecrest at 7708 Rea Rd
Photos via @macyhorman
Enjoy everyone’s favorite spritz with an autumnal twist with NAPA’s Harvest Aperol Spritz ~ aperol | spiced apple cider | sparkling wine | soda water | cinnamon sugar rim. Or their classics with a twist Gingersnap made with southern star double rye | gingerbread syrup | orange bitters | toasted rosemary and the Night’s Watch, captain morgan spiced rum | st. elizabeth allspice dram | dewar’s white label scotch | brown sugar toffee syrup | orange & old fashioned bitters.
Sneak CLT
2001 E 7th St F
Sneak CLT has just launched a brand new mini cocktail menu that invites guests to sample bold, inventive flavors without the full-commitment pour. There’s six alcoholic minis included on the menu but we have our eyes on the Don’t Shy Away with tequila, cointreau, spicy oleo and carrot sour because the flavors sound perfect for fall.
Dilworth Tasting Room
Multiple Locations
At all three Dilworth Tasting Room locations you can get the Ryan Reynolds Favorite Pumpkin Spice Espresso Latte Martini. Made with Aviation Gin, pumpkin spice purée, and brewed espresso, pumpkin, coffee and fall lovers alike will love this drink.
VINYL
1440 S Tryon St #105
VINYL has recently revamped its brunch and cocktail menu for fall. Dishes on the fall brunch menu like the poached egg poutine are incredible and they pair perfectly with refreshed cocktails such as the Dr. Doo Dah, made with El Tesoro Reposado Single Barrel, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, fall spiced berry, lime and szechuan peppercorn.
Trolley Barn
2104 South Blvd
Trolley Barn has two delicious fall cocktails now on the menu. The Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini is made with spiced rum, Pumpkin Spice RumChata, Kahlúa, and cold brew, while the Apple Bottom Drank has apple and cinnamon–infused tequila, Cointreau, apple cider, cinnamon simple, and lime juice. These two fall drinks can satisfy any palate.
Runaway Whiskey and Wine Bar
2135 Thrift Rd Suite 104
Runaway is combining two classic cocktails into one delicious drink for fall. The espresso old fashioned has just launched made with espresso, whiskey, stout syrup, vanilla and a marshmallow fluff swipe. It’s cozy and warm for the season!
Nuvole TwentyTwo Rooftop
220 E Trade St Suite 2200
Have seasonal cocktails on a rooftop at Nuvole TwentyTwo. The fall menu includes chai flavors, a cider cocktail, warm spices and more. We love the Give it a Chai with Pisco Brandy, chai syrup, egg whites, lemon, and house made chai foam.
Dot Dot Dot
4237 Park Rd B
Get into the fall spirit with the Apple of My Rye cocktail at Dot Dot Dot, a speakeasy in the Park Road Shopping Center.
The Conspiracy
412 W 5th St C120
Conspiracy has six new seasonal cocktails. From the Project Embernut, a fiery pecan and pineapple showstopper, to the Forbidden Orchard, a crisp apple, cinnamon, and ginger beer drink, to the Fruit of the Fifth Kind, a cucumber-jalapeño cocktail, there’s something for everyone on this fall menu.
State of Confusion
3500 Dewitt Ln
The Jack O’ Lantern fall cocktail features brown butter Benchmark Bourbon, grapefruit juice, spiced honey syrup, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, and botanical foamer, creating a perfectly balanced drink best enjoyed on crisp evenings at their rooftop patio. It’s an fun take on a fall bourbon cocktail that captures the cozy, playful spirit of the season.
Where to Get Our Favorite Fall Mocktails
NAPA Restaurants
The Golden Orchard Spritz with lyre’s italian spritz | lyre’s grande classico | spiced apple cider | soda water | cinnamon sugar rim and the Autumn Jewel (apple cider | pomegranate juice | lime juice | ginger beer) at NAPA restaurants are bringing all the Fall feels without the alcohol.
Folia
1440 S Tryon St # 102
Folia is a great spot for coffee and cocktails alike, but did you know the restaurant and lounge has seasonal mocktails too? To get in the fall spirit, try the Cider Works, a crunchy, warming and autumnal cocktail made with spiced apple, lemon and ginger.
Sneak CLT
2001 E 7th St F
In addition to the mini alcoholic mocktails at Sneak CLT, the new menu also includes two mocktails. The Green Thumb with cucumber, honey, mint, lime and egg white sounds like the perfect taste of fresh flavors this fall season.
Merchant & Trade
303 S Church St
For a cocktail and mocktail bar above the clouds, head to Merchant & Trade. The non-alcoholic Rosemary’s Baby with Lyre’s london dry spirit, lyre’s italian spritz, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary syrup is a refreshing and delicious fall drink.
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Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. Find her talking food and drinks on TikTok @alexmaloney22.
