Apple, Pumpkin, Spice: Best Fall Drinks in WashCo

Located in the heart of a former bank in downtown Burgettstown, take it from us when we say Heist Spirits is worth the drive no matter where you are in the region. With a rotating sequence of creative (and delicious) monthly specialty cocktails on the roster, this locally-owned and small batch distillery continuously brings the heat even as the weather begins to cool in October.

This month’s theme is all things spooky, with cocktails like The Banshee (Golden Handcuffs Rye Whiskey, Irish cream simple syrup, tobacco bitters, oat milk), La Llrona (Golden Handcuffs Butterfly Pea Flower Gin, violet, orange, lemon), The Mothman (Golden Handcuffs Unaged Corn whiskey, black cherry, agave, lime, red sea salt) and more on the menu. If all that sounds good, Heist Spirits also has a full live music schedule throughout October, and those interested in learning about the making of the distillery’s Golden Handcuffs brand can schedule a distillery tour.

With roots deeply entrenched in the history of Washington County, family-owned Liberty Pole Spirits’ mission is simple: to preserve and revitalize Monongahela Rye whiskey with the passion of those who once rebelled against a fledgling government when an unjust tax was placed on whiskey, which was vital to those rebels to make a living. Modeled after an 18^th century meetinghouse, the distillery campus features a craft cocktail bar and some seriously delicious small bites on its menu. Campus tours that include a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery process and the only 5-story rickhouse in Pennsylvania are also available.

Liberty Pole’s fall specials include drinks like Ciderkin (Liberty Pole bourbon, apple cider, maple syrup), the Campfire Old Fashioned (LP Peated Bourbon, Peated Rye, creme de cacao, black walnut bitters), the Concord Crush (LP Rye Whiskey, Concord grape juice, lime juice, simple syrup), and the Hot Honey Old Fashioned (LP Bourbon, hot honey, cherry, orange). 

Bones Distillery is all about doing it the right way. Specializing in moonshine distilled using traditional techniques, this distillery in the heart of Washington has become quite the popular spot for its multitude of moonshine, vodka, rum and more that include flavors like lemonade, apple pie, black cherry, blueberry, hot cinnamon, cotton candy, root beer and signature flavor Moose Pie, among others. Bones Distillery has also gained popularity for its cream liquors that come in all your favorite ice cream flavors and are frequently made into its popular Moose Shakes.

Bones Distillery's social medias are worth following, as the distillery has been hosting some killer events recently, such as hat burning workshops, live music, paint and sips, chunky knit blanket workshops and more that it posts about on its Instagram page. If you're looking for a fun day out with friends, Bones Distillery should be on your go-to list for great drinks and even better company. 

With locations in Canonsburg and Washington, Chicco Baccello is a beloved local hangout spot with cozy cafe vibes and plenty of delicious fall specials to order again and again. Known for its coffee and teas just as well as its specialty sandwiches and baked goods, the cafe's fall menu includes all your fall faves, like the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Chai Latte, Pumpkin Roll White Mocha and more. 

With its motto "fast food for healthy people," Uptown Nutrition in downtown Washington has developed quite the following, and for good reason. This smoothie, juice and tea bar's most popular items include its signature protein bites, shakes and "Loaded Teas," - caffeinated flavored teas packed with ingredients like Vitamin C, ginseng, guarana, B12 and more - make Uptown Nutrition a hotspot for people on the go. 

Uptown Nutrition's October specials include drinks like Black Magic (pomegranate, sour blue), Dracula (grape, prickly pear, sour blue), Friday the 13th (cherry, grape, sour blue) and Hocus Pocus (orange, sour blue, strawberry). 

With 2 locations, one in Charleroi and the other in Southpointe, Perked Up Cafe is a local hotspot for a great breakfast, brunch or lunch and an even better drink to warm up with as the fall months cool things down. The cafe's October specials include drinks like the Maple-Topped Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew, the Pink Ribbon Latte, Pumpkin Brittle Latte and the Pumpkin Patch Iced Chai with a shortbread cold foam. The cafe is also famous county-wide for its scones, of which there are rotating flavors each week, so it's a good idea to stop in and see what's new each "Scone Day."