The Pumpkin Spice Martini

 

Table of Contents:

• How-to Video
• Intro
• History
• Ingredient Breakdown
• Pumpkin Pie Martini
• Other Variations
• Homemade Pumpkin Syrup Recipes
• Recipe

 

How to Make the Pumpkin Martini

This decadent pumpkin concoction is the perfect drink for cozy evenings or family gatherings this holiday season. In today’s video, Chris takes you through the steps to mix this (questionably) delicious drink– Hey, we know it’s not for everyone.

But if it is for you, Chris’ll show you how to balance the flavors properly and how to make an elevated variation. Here’s how:

What is a Reverse Dry Shake?

Maybe you’ve heard of a “dry shake” where you skip the ice and shake your cocktail without it first. The reverse dry shake is just the opposite:

1. Shake with ice.
2. Remove the ice by fine straining the cocktail from one cup of the Boston shaker to the other.
3. Shake again without ice to build the foam and get a nice, fluffy texture.

 

The Grown-Up Pumpkin Spice with Alcohol

It’s my favorite time of year, my friends, and you know what that means! Love it or hate it, it’s the season of all things pumpkin spice. So of course, we have to do a Pumpkin Spice Martini.

Why? Because it’s wildly popular and something out of the norm for us, and some people happen to think it’s the perfect cocktail for fall. (For the record, those people are not me, but I know a significant amount of them, so this one’s for them.)

While not a traditional Martini (it doesn’t follow the spirit + fortified wine/vermouth + bitters formula), this version blends the iconic flavors of pumpkin spice with the sophistication of drinking a “Martini,” making it a fun drink for autumn.

With its cozy fall flavors, this is a delicious cocktail option for those who crave boozy pumpkin pie.

 

History of a Favorite Fall Cocktail

The Pumpkin Spice Martini is a relatively modern addition to the cocktail world, emerging with the popularity of pumpkin spice in coffee and desserts in the early 2000s.

The cool thing about mixology is that its exceptionally versatile, with seasonal trends influencing the creation of new drinks. And this unique Martini variation quickly became a fall staple, capturing the idea of pumpkin pie… in adult form.

 

Pumpkin Martini Ingredients

Mixing warm spices and cream, this is in the dessert cocktails category, much like the Chocolate Martini. It’s like your favorite pumpkin spice latte, but with a boozy kick. To craft this festive cocktail, you’ll need the following:

• Vanilla vodka: This offers an extra hint of sweetness that you won’t get from plain vodka.
• Cream liqueur: The most popular option is Baileys Irish cream liqueur.
• Heavy cream: This add the signature thick, frothy texture of the drink.
• Pumpkin spice syrup: Store bought pumpkin syrup will suffice here for this basic Pumpkin Martini recipe. (We’ll make our own syrups for the variation.)
• Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for an aromatic finish that complements the pumpkin spice mix. You probably already have it in your spice rack, making it an easy garnish.

 

Variations on the Traditional Pumpkin Martini

For those who wish to explore beyond the classic, the Pumpkin Pie Martini is also a wonderful cocktail for pumpkin lovers– and even more decadent, if you can believe it. It’s like having a slice of pumpkin pie in liquid form.

This version includes both vodka and rum, enriching the drink with a deeper, more complex flavor profile. Here’s how you can modify the original recipe:

• Use half vanilla vodka and half spiced rum as the spirit base.
• Incorporate a tablespoon of real pumpkin purée (canned pumpkin purée) into the mix for an extra boost of pumpkin flavor, just like a piece of pumpkin pie.
• Swap out heavy cream for half-and-half to lighten the texture slightly while maintaining creaminess.
• A rim of crushed graham cracker crumbs adds crunch, echoing the crust of pumpkin pie.

 

Other Variations and Ideas for a Pumpkin Cocktail

This is one of those recipes that can be made a million different ways. Our standard version of this seasonal drink uses pretty basic ingredients. But for fun, here are a few other ways to make this boozy fall drink:

• Use pumpkin spice liqueur or Pumpkin Liqueur instead of the syrup; you can also do a split base with the vodka.
• While not wildly available, spiced pumpkin vodka exists! So you could use that flavored vodka (instead of vanilla) with the cream, Bailey’s, and perhaps 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for a little oomph.
• Love chocolate? Try a Chocolate Pumpkin Martini by adding chocolate syrup swirls to your glass and/or subbing in a chocolate cream liqueur for the traditional Baileys. It’ll add a little additional sweetness and make it even more dessert-worthy.

 

• Add pumpkin pie spice on top instead of cinnamon. While I personally like the combination of a variety of spices, this will add even more rich pumpkin flavor.
• Not into heavy cream? While it won’t be the same, try oat milk instead! You’ll still get a creamy cocktail, even with the substitution. And you can get an extra hint of vanilla flavor if you use vanilla oat milk.
• Combine two of the most popular dessert Martinis out there to make the Pumpkin Espresso Martini: Take the Espresso Martini recipe and either add a tablespoon of pumpkin purée and a teaspoon of pumpkin spice, or sub in pumpkin vodka or pumpkin liqueur (these options will be lighter in flavor).

 

 

Our Variation

A riff on the Brandy Alexander cocktail, this a grown-up version skips the vodka and opts for a richer flavor profile using Cognac, which brings in caramel & vanilla elements. Note that the prep time on this one increases a fair bit because of the homemade syrups used, although you can definitely use the Réal brand syrup we opted for in the traditional recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 ounce Cognac
• 1/2 ounce Amaro Nonino
• 1/2 ounce Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup (See below.)
• 1/4 ounce Heavy Cream

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake for about 10-15 seconds. Use a fine strainer to remove the ice cubes, and give another shake for about 15-20 seconds, really building up the foam. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass or other cocktail glass of your choice, and garnish with grated nutmeg.

 

Pumpkin Spiced Syrup Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup of Pumpkin Puree
• 1/2 cup of Spiced Demerara Simple Syrup (See below.)

DIRECTIONS:

Combine into a blender on high for about 1 minute; the contents should start to heat up, melding them together. Strain out any excess solids with a fine strainer. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, shaking before use in cocktails.

 

Spiced Demerara Syrup

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Demerara Sugar
• 1 cup Hot Water
• 1/4 cup Pure Ginger Juice
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 4 Cloves
• 1 Star Anise
• 1 Nutmeg – smashed or coarsely grated

DIRECTIONS:
In a saucier pan, bring the water to a boil, add the spices, and then stir in the sugar. Turn off the heat, and add the ginger juice, stirring constantly until all the sugar is melted. Let the spices sit for about 5 minutes in the mixture, tasting it intermittently to ensure the flavor is to your liking and that the syrup doesn’t start to bitter.

Once the flavor is at your desired level, strain out all the solids. Keep refrigerated for upwards of 3-4 weeks. For best results, use within 2 weeks.

 

A Little Slice of Pumpkin Heaven, in Cozy Dessert Cocktail Form

Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering or simply looking for a more unique way to unwind after a long day, the Pumpkin Spice Martini is the perfect fall cocktail.

As always, don’t be afraid to adjust these cocktail recipes to suit your taste, and let us know in the comments what you think of them. Cheers!