Where to fine the best autumn drinks and treats in south KC

By Kristina Light

Fall flavors are arriving on south Kansas City menus, many created and curated by local chefs and restaurateurs whose creativity and talent shine through. These aren’t mass-produced additions. You’ll find artisan drinks, surprising flavor combinations, and real deliciousness worth savoring. Here’s where to find them.

Fall coffee for sweater weather

The Roasterie Coffee Company has launched its fall menu anchored by the Pumpkin Pie Latte made with real pumpkin and warm spices, as well as the Fireside Mocha, which blends dark chocolate with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. New this year is the Apple Crisp Chai and Cookie Butter Crumble with Biscoff crumbles.

With locations in Martin City and Waldo, Pegah’s Cafe and Coffee goes all-in this fall with pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cream cold brew, and pumpkin cream chai. Pair a drink with a warm pumpkin muffin.

In Grandview, Housewife opened inside a century-old former Masonic Lodge once frequented by President Truman, featuring a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Blueberry Pie Iced Latte, and a Cinnamon Roll Latte with white mocha foam. Crow’s Coffee, with locations in Waldo and Red Bridge, has its own fall trio: the Apple Chaider, the Pumpkin Pie Latte and the Spicy Stuff Mocha.

Hot off the (cider) press

Louisburg Cider Mill is open all season with free admission and parking. Watch apples pressed into fresh cider on the spot, grab warm cider donuts, pick up Lost Trail root beer bottled onsite, and enjoy cider slushes. The mill’s annual Ciderfest runs Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4. The property also operates a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and hay rides, with separate admission charged for those activities.

A shorter drive south, Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins in Belton has a u-pick farm and pumpkin patch for those looking to spend the afternoon (admission charged). Visit the retail store anytime to purchase apple cider, warm pumpkin donuts, cider donuts, and other seasonal treats.

At Faulkner’s Ranch, autumn celebrations center on apple-themed treats reimagined by the ranch: an apple sundae and apple cider floats, alongside all-natural apple cider slushies made from 100 % real apple cider. Hot chocolate floats and pumpkin spice cappuccinos round out the seasonal menu. The ranch hosts its 28th annual pumpkin festival on certain dates between Oct. 2-31.

Steeped in seasonal blends

Emilie’s French Teas in Waldo curates four seasonal blends: Anichai, a warming black tea with ginger and cardamom; Rock Your Brain with mandarin and rose; Log Fire with apple and cinnamon; and Caramel Toffee. Emilie also hosts fall classes throughout the season.

Tea Market and Gift Bar in Crestwood pours fall blends including Fall Sampler, Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Plum, and Apple Strudel.

Fall flavors on a cone

French Custard owner Alex Wood has brought Fruit Spun to his Brookside shop. It’s a New Zealand concept in which fruit is spun into custard. The autumn standout is the Pumpkin Spice Fruit Spun Sundae, which blends pumpkin into soft-serve custard topped with housemade pumpkin spice syrup and Biscoff crumbles. Just a hop south to Waldo, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream whips up three fall flavors: apple cider donut, pumpkin bar, and mixed berry cobbler.

Autumn Spirits: Cocktails, Cordials, and Craft Beer

Applecello, a cordial created by local chef Jasper Mirabile, began when Louisburg Cider Mill gave his restaurant several extra cases of apple cider. Rather than waste it, his nephew began experimenting, blending the cider with mulling spices and Union Horse Vodka. What started as a creative solution became one of the restaurant’s most talked-about creations. 

Each fall, Jasper’s Ristorante, just north of Interstate 435 at 103rd Street and State Line Road, brings back Applecello as a tradition. This year, Mirabile is serving Applecello in new autumnal cocktails. Applecello is also served as a cordial or from the bottle for $9 a glass.

Laura Turley, owner of Audrey’s Wine and Bourbon in Waldo, is launching three fall cocktails on Oct. 1: the Poison Apple, the Blackberry Bash and the Black Sazerac. Also in Waldo, KC Bier Company pours Festbier, a Vienna-style lager that has won awards at the Great International Beer and Cider Competition. It’s the official beer of KC Oktoberfest at Crown Center set for Oct. 2-3.

Broken Hatchet Brewing Company in Belton pours Order #11, a robust 5% Märzen-style, built for the season. Martin City Brewing Company brings two fall favorites: the Oktoberfest Märzen Lager with subtle toffee and fruit sweetness, and Fall Back Brown with caramel and nutty chocolate notes. In Grandview, Transparent Brewing Co. pours Bats in the Belfry, a crisp 5% Belgian Pale Ale.

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