By Ashley Day

Menus across the country are transitioning seasonal offerings with more apple, pear, squash and pumpkin on the way. We're easing into fall with the first apple items, from traditional pastries and cider cocktails to inventive dishes and creatively infused drinks incorporating the fruit. In September, it's perfectly okay to have an apple a day, and we found some of the tastiest ways. Browse the gallery above for tons of takes on the season's star ingredients, and see more fall dining inspiration below.

Round-up of fall's 50 juiciest apple dishes and drinks includes:

In Paducah, Ky., Silent Brigade Distillery presses locally sourced apples on-site for its Apple Jack Whiskey. Try it in an Apple Pie on the Rocks, with cinnamon, vanilla, Sprite, an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
 
At Freight House Restaurant in Paducah, Ky., chef Sara Bradley infuses her apple bourbon crisp with Old Grand Dad 100 then tops it with locally-made ice cream.  Glenn Hall Photography
 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/food-and-wine/2016/09/15/apple-dishes-drinks-fall-2016/90258404/