Welcome to autumn in Wisconsin, where yesterday was summer and tomorrow is winter, and nobody knows exactly which season it’s going to be in a couple hours. You know the drill!

Because of our “unique” weather patterns, it can be a little challenging to figure out when exactly to switch from refreshing summer drinks to spicy and warm winter drinks. We usually default to whatever ingredients happen to be in season (we’re looking at YOU, pumpkin spice). But we’re pretty sure that around these parts, anything goes.

Cocktails are for enjoyment after all, right?

If you enjoy a bracingly cold drink in the middle of a blizzard, heck yeah. You do you! In fact, if it’s the Orange Dream recipe below, we might even join you! At the end of the day, some of us get cozy with a spiked apple cider and others warm up with a chilled shot of Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey. It’s all good either way — whatever floats your cocktail.

With that in mind, here are a few recipes we think you’ll love, no matter what temperature you like your cocktails. Let’s start with an Autumn Leaves cocktail, created by our friends at Copper and Pines (real autumn leaves not required):

Autumn Leaves

1 1/2 oz. Riverbank Spiced Rum
3 oz. Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Cardamom-Infused Whipped Cream (keep reading—yum!)
Add Northern Oasis Riverbank Spiced Rum and Pumpkin Spice Coffee to coffee mug.
Add float of cardamom-infused whipped cream.

What’s Cardamom-Infused Whipped Cream? Prepare to have your world rocked:

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Ground Cardamom
Whip cream until it thickens, then add the powdered sugar and cardamom and continue beating until it’s as thick as you like it.

Cardamom tends to get overlooked in favor of nutmeg and cinnamon, but we love the rich flavor of this aromatic spice. Think of it as a good balance between cinnamon and ginger. It really elevates the pumpkin spice in this drink!

If you prefer a cold drink on a cold day, get your blender out and try this versatile drink developed (and enthusiastically tested) by the Northern Oasis team. Remember, teamwork makes the Orange Dream work!

Orange Dream

8 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 oz. your favorite Northern Oasis Spirit—Riverbank, Lone Duck, Lakeview…this one’s dealer’s choice!
½ cup sugar
1 cup 2% milk (or regular almond milk)
1 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
Blend in blender.
Fill glass with ice and add your choice of 1 oz. of Riverbank Spice Rum, Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey or Lakeview Vodka; top with orange mixture

If your blender is on the top shelf but you still want a tasty, simple drink, we think everyone can get behind: Spiked Apple Cider!

Spiked Apple Cider

1 ½ oz. Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey or Shorewood Whiskey
Hot Apple Cider
Pour a shot of your whiskey of choice into a mug and top with Hot Apple Cider!
Cinnamon Stick optional, but encouraged.

There’s no reason to fear the change of season, however unpredictable it can be. Just dress in layers, grab your favorite cocktail and see what Mother Nature has to offer. If she’s in a good mood, have a cocktail outside. If she’s unhappy, take your cocktail inside and snuggle in for the evening with a good book or a bad movie.

And finally, since we do like cocktails with seasonal produce, there’s nothing more Wisconsin than a Lakeview Vodka Cranberry Mule:

Remember—Life is Short. Drink Great Liquor!

Locally distilled in Plover, Wisconsin.

Celebrate Life Responsibly