Is there anything better than the start of autumn? There’s the slightest of chills in the air, the leaves are turning and falling from the trees and we finally have an excuse to bundle ourselves under blankets and get cosy. It also means the start of another great tradition – the Hot Toddy.

Luckily, this time of year also coincides with the second Dublin Cocktail Festival. A number of bars around the city join forces to offer a special concoction for the week, with a 30% discount for those in possession of a wristband (which costs €5). All of the cocktails created for the event will feature an Irish spirit as their focal point.

Balfes is taking part; a cocktail hotspot in the middle of the city with the added bonus of a chic heated terrace. While the terrace is a winner in the summer, it’s just as charming when the weather cools. There are blankets to keep you cosy, as well as heaters to keep you toasty, so there’s no better spot to enjoy a warming winter tipple and watch the world go by.

To celebrate the festival, the folks at Balfes have created a special cocktail, the Balfes Spiced Apple & Jameson Toddy. With notes of cinnamon and honey, the blend is sure to welcome autumn in style.

Also on the menu is the classic Hot Toddy (pictures right), as well as their famed Irish Coffee.

The Dublin Cocktail Festival runs from October 12th – October 17^th.