Hump Day Happy Hour

With shorter days and longer nights, autumn provides ample opportunity for an after-dinner drink by the fire. And we've got two cozy autumnal options for the occasion.

"Smashing Pumpkin" and "Bourbon Cider"—cocktails that highlight nutmeg, apple and pumpkin—will help you welcome the cooler weather. Pair either drink with barbecue pork ribs or mac and cheese for a true comfort food (and drink) experience.

"Smashing Pumpkin"

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

1 oz. pumpkin puree

3 segments of tangerine with peel

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

1/2 oz. brown sugar simple syrup

nutmeg for garnish

Directions:

First, make brown sugar simple syrup by mixing two parts brown sugar with one part water. Bring to a boil and then let cool down before mixing into drink. Once the sugar has cooled, muddle it with the tangerine pieces in a glass. Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake and pour into glass. Garnish with nutmeg.

Created by lead bartender Robert Leavey from The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

"Bourbon Cider"

Ingredients:

1 tsp to 1 tbsp sugar

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark bourbon

4 1/2 oz. dry hard cider

maraschino cherry and orange slice, for garnish

Directions:

In a champagne glass, stir together the sugar and the bitters until the sugar dissolves. Add Maker's Mark bourbon. Top with cold cider. Garnish with a cherry and slice of orange.

Created by Anthony Caporale, Art of the Drink host.