A toast to fall cocktails

Pull out the sweaters, slippers and wait, put them back, fall is kind of here. While the mercury decides what it wants to do and the degrees go from 85 to 65 to 80 again, the mind still wants all of the comforts of the season.

For chefs, mixologists, and locals the time has come to pull out the autumnal arsenal of cinnamon, pumpkin, maple syrup, honey, vanilla, apple cider, and marshmallow. Take a break from holiday shopping to try some of these delicious fall cocktails.

Madison on Park

From the mixing mind of bar manager Danny Kuehner, the Harvest Moon is a twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. This seasonal cocktail brims with fall flavors including pecan wood smoked maple syrup, Velvet Falernum, pumpkin puree, lemon juice and 1776 Rye Whiskey.

4622 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.269.6566, madisononpark.com

Café 21, Gaslamp

For autumn days, Owner and Chef Leyla Javadov collaborates with Greenbar Distillery, from Los Angeles for the Sweet Potato Dreams. The dreamy (and beautiful) cocktail is made with Crusoe spiced rum, Fruitlab orange liqueur, sweet potato puree, lime juice, maple syrup and is garnished with toasted marshmallow.

802 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.795.0721, cafe-21.com

Grant Grill

The Norse are everywhere these days, from The Last Kingdom’s Dane vs. Saxon battles to the popular History Channel show Vikings. Chef de Bar Cory Alberto and the Grant Grill beverage team crafted a variety of seasonally inspired cocktails, including the Seafaring Dragon Ship, a blustery drink of Laphroaig 10 Year Single Malt Islay scotch, white birch and maple syrup, R&D Sarsaparilla bitters, and pinch of sea salt.

326 Broadway, downtown, 619.744.2077, grantgrill.com

Park 101

Enjoy the balmy fall days of San Diego on the Tamarack Deck and open-air seating patios in Carlsbad Village. A full checklist of seasonal ingredients can be found here with The Apple Cinnamon Crisp Cocktail — a sangria-ish/mulled wine combination of cinnamon, ginger, apple cider and red wine.

3040 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, 760.434.2217, park101carlsbad.com

The Smoking Gun

Who doesn’t love Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia? Imagine snuggling up on the couch for raucous laughter and retro viewing with The Golden Girls cocktail in hand. Made with wild turkey rye, vanilla, honey, lemon and black walnut bitters — it’s a one way ticket to Miami.

555 Market St., downtown, 619.233.3836, thesmokinggunsd.com

Duck Dive

Raise the bar on Pacific Beach drinks with the upscale milkshake Oh My Gourd! Featuring vanilla ice cream, pumpkin puree, Jameson Caskmates and cinnamon syrup, the autumnal delight is topped with whipped cream, nutmeg and orange zest.

4650 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.273.3825, theduckdive.com

Puesto

For those who stick to margaritas year round, this hip Mexican joint has the calendar covered. Try their latest, the Pear Margarita, perfectly seasonal with pear, cinnamon and a delicious Tawny Port float.

The Headquarters: 789 W. Harbor Dr., downtown, 619.233.8880; La Jolla:1026 Wall St, 858.454.1260, eatpuesto.com