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The Three Best Fall-Themed Drinks In State College

Are you tired of drinking those pumpkin spice lattes from your favorite coffee shops? Can’t decide what to drink at bars this fall? Well, the answers to both questions are right here for you. Here are the three best fall drink options of the many offered at State College’s bars, each interesting and delicious in their own right.

1. Orange Spice Martini – Bill Pickle’s Tap Room

Pickles Orange Tea Spice

For those who may grow tired of the pumpkin and apple craze, you will definitely dig this. Bartender Mac Schrantz came up with this martini, which mixes the flavors of orange spice hot tea, Laird’s Apple Jack, Art In The Age rhubarb tea, Cointreau, and fresh orange peels.

With the first sip, you immediately get a rush of orange on your taste buds with an aftertaste of the spice from the tea. Schrantz said he normally uses sweet tea vodka for the martini, but sometimes he swaps it out for the apple jack liquor.

For $6.75, this is perfect for tea and martini lovers alike, as you get the best of both worlds wrapped into this concoction of orange-spicy goodness.

Schrantz may not have thought of an official name for the martini yet, but as long as it includes “the best tea-based martini ever,” I don’t think it matters.

2. Paulaner Oktoberfest – Local Whiskey

Second Pumpkin Beer

Fall would not be complete without a huge selection of Oktoberfest beers.

And while the classic go-tos like Sam Adams are always a good choice, the list of Oktoberfest and Marzen drafts choices can be a bit intimidating at times.

Local Whiskey bartender Tim Riefel helped to narrow down the list, suggesting the Paulaner Oktoberfest. Straight out of Germany, this draft, priced at $5 a glass or $18 for a 64-ounce jug, includes everything a good Oktoberfest beer should have and more.

The draft has the same distinct malty flavor of most Oktoberfest beers, along with a bit of a sweetness and a hoppy taste. I could not quite place my finger on what the sweet taste was until I researched the beer afterward. I found out that Paulaner adds “hints of toffee” to the brew, according to the brewer.

Riefel said this draft is currently one of the most popular of Local Whiskey’s Oktoberfest selections, but also said that some American versions of Oktoberfest beers, such as Duck Rabbit Marzen from North Carolina, are “doing a good job” of mimicking the classic Oktoberfest flavor.

3. Apple Cider Margarita – Mad Mex

Mad Mex Apple Cider Marg

When one thinks of fall, tequila and apples do not normally come up in the same sentence. However, Mad Mex has found a way to combine the best qualities of apple cider and margaritas for a delicious seasonal favorite.

The Mad Mex bartenders said the apple cider margarita is popular every year, and according to their website, the margarita is only available until Oct. 5.

Both on-the-rocks and frozen versions are very tasty, but I stuck to it on the rocks. The apple cider flavor takes over most of the drink, making it great for those who don’t like a heavy taste of tequila. You do get hit with a double whammy of an aftertaste with a little bit of tequila tickling your taste buds followed by a boom of cinnamon.

If you are looking for other drinks you can make at home or order at the bars, we compiled a list of ten fall cocktails to die for.

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About the Author

Josh Glossner

Josh Glossner is a first generation Penn Stater majoring in print journalism from Bellefonte, Pa. He shares the same birthday as Jon Bon Jovi and Dr. Suess. You can find Josh rockin’ the 50s attire as a server at Baby’s Burgers and Shakes, where his milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard. He enjoys attempting to twerk in what little spare time he has and performs in local drag shows as Carrie Oakey.

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