Somewhere around the first cold Saturday, the menus change. The watermelon coolers come off, and bartenders start reaching for cider, cranberry, ginger and whatever is still growing by the back door.
The zero-proof side of the menu changes with it. These are the fall drinks on menus around the city right now, sorted by what the season tastes like. Every one is on its bar’s own menu, labeled alcohol-free.
Where they’re pouring
Orchard and bog
New England’s own fall fruit does most of the work here. Cider gives a drink body without sweetness, and cranberry and pomegranate bring the tartness a cocktail usually gets from its spirit.
If you order one fall drink, start in this section. It’s the one most likely to taste like the place you’re sitting in.
- Perfect pearBoston Bowl, Dorchester
- Cranberry lime Rickey$7Brelundi, South Side
- Apple Of My Chai$7.95Cambridge Common, Neighborhood Nine
- Kris Kringle’s CiderDavio's Seaport, Seaport
- Cranberry MuleElsie's Table, Canton
Spice and smoke
Ginger, cinnamon, tamarind and maple give a drink the warmth people miss when the whiskey is gone. A good one finishes dry and a little hot, the way a mule should.
- Ginger Glow75 Chestnut, Beacon Hill
- Ginger Shandy$13Alcove, West End
- Golden Smoke$9Alden & Harlow, Harvard Square
- grapefruit & ginger$13Brassica Kitchen + Cafe, Jamaica Plain
- ginger sprigBullfinchs, Sudbury
Coffee after dinner
The espresso martini went zero-proof early, and it holds up. Order it after dinner, or in place of dessert.
- Davio’s Peppermint Espresso MocktiniDavio's Seaport, Seaport
- Hot Mess Mocha-tini$8The Avenue Bar Allston, Allston
- Mockspresso Martini$8The Chester Tavern, DorchesterCold brew, cream
- Coffee Soda$15Yvonne's, Downtown
- Basic Witch (mocktail version)$10Mercy Tavern, SalemEspresso / Pumpkin / Chai / Salt / Lemon / Coconut / Brown Sugar / Allspice
The last of the garden
Thyme, rosemary and sage keep going after the basil gives up, and honey rounds them out. These read as lighter drinks, good before a heavy fall dinner.
- Rosemary's Baby$11Bonefish Harry's, Beverly
- Lavender French 75$8.95Cambridge Common, Neighborhood Nine
- Lavender & BubblesChart House, Downtown
- Hibiscus Sunset$11Mahaniyom, Emerson GardensHibiscus, Orange, Lemon, Honey
- Rosemary Grapefruit Tonic$9Moxies Boston Seaport Restaurant, SeaportFresh rosemary, grapefruit juice, pineapple, cold tea, Fever-Tree ginger beer
Menus turn over fast this time of year, so this page changes as they do. When a bar swaps its list, the drinks here follow the next time we read its menu.
20 drinks at 18 places, from each place’s own menu. Check before you go.