Harvest a Collection of Great Seasonal Pumpkin Cocktails

By: Sandy Smith

’Tis the season for pumpkin picking, carving, and … cocktailing? Maybe you’ve never had a cocktail featuring this bright orange fall favorite. It’s high time to change that. Here’s a sampler of cocktails that utilize pumpkin puree (make your own or use store-bought) to bring autumn’s harvest to your next cocktail party!

Pumpkin Pie Olé

Creamy, smooth, and lightly sweet, this tequila-based cocktail uses half-and-half to give it its velvety texture and luscious richness. If you want to substitute, say, eggnog for the half-and-half, I’ll never tell.
Makes 1 cocktail
1-1/2 ounces tequila
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin puree
3 ounces half-and-half
Dash pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon for garnish
Fill cocktail shaker with ice and add the tequila, simple syrup, pumpkin puree, half-and-half, and pumpkin pie spice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cinnamon.

Maple Pumpkin Sipper

This maple- and ginger-flavored pumpkin cocktail will transport you to a Vermont wood in mid-October. Bundle up and be sure to bring your camera, leaf peepers!
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

1-1/2 ounces vodka
3/4 ounce pure maple syrup
1/2 ounce ginger liqueur
1 teaspoon pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
Cinnamon sugar

Preparation:

Moisten rim of cocktail glass and dip into cinnamon sugar to coat. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, maple syrup, ginger liqueur, pumpkin puree, and orange juice. Shake vigorously and carefully strain into cocktail glass.

Autumn Harvest

Notes of apple, pumpkin, and spice in a warm bourbon base -- a classic harvest bouquet.
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

1 ounce bourbon
1 ounce Calvados or other apple brandy
1 teaspoon pumpkin puree
1/2 ounce triple sec
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Pinch pumpkin pie spice
Apple or pear slices brushed with lemon juice for garnish

Preparation:

Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add bourbon, Calvados, pumpkin puree, triple sec, simple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with apple slices, if desired.

Pumpkin Fizz

Unexpected effervescence in the form of Prosecco pairs surprisingly well with pumpkin in this fizzy, gently sweet cocktail. Try this one at brunch.
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

1 ounce simple syrup or maple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin puree
Pinch pumpkin pie spice
Dash pure vanilla extract
4 ounces Prosecco or Brut champagne

Preparation:

Stir syrup, pumpkin puree, spice, and vanilla in the bottom of a tall glass or champagne flute. Top off with Prosecco and serve immediately.

Pumpkin Cider Buck

A not-so-classic buck, this standout matches pumpkin with cider and ginger ale in a combination of fall flavors you’ll find yourself returning to throughout the season.
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon pumpkin purée
1-1/2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces apple cider
Pinch apple pie spice
Ginger ale

Preparation:

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add pumpkin puree, bourbon, apple cider, and spice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass filled with ice. Top off with ginger ale. Garnish with apple slices dipped in cinnamon sugar, if desired.

All photos are courtesy of the author.