Let’s face it, we’re in full pumpkin spice season at the moment. Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin beer, there’s no hiding from the current pumpkin craze. Rather than trying to avoid it, why not embrace the pumpkin flavours add get creative with some cocktails? Pumpkin spice actually works quite nicely in cocktails, as these three point out.
Pumpkin Spice Whisky Cocktail
Whisky and pumpkin are a combination that works surprisingly well together. This cocktail seems complicated, but it’s really just a simple syrup, whisky and soda.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tbsp Pumpkin spice simple syrup*
- 1 1/2 oz Forty Creek Whisky
- Soda water
- Sugar and cinnamon for garnish
*Pumpkin spice simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1 inch chunk of fresh ginger, peeled
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of ground allspice
In a medium sauce pan combine all ingredients and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low for ten minutes. Strain through a cheese cloth and store in the fridge.
Method:
Rim a cocktail glass with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Add simple syrup, whisky and soda water. Stir vigorously and add a few ice cubes.
Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream
So Bailey’s caught onto the pumpkin spice trend and released a special pumpkin spice version last year. You don’t have to search this out, as making Irish cream is incredibly easy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup Irish whiskey (cheap)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Pour into a mason jar and refrigerate for at least five hours. Shake well before serving. Can pour over ice, or in your favourite coffee.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
If you haven’t had enough pumpkin pie this season, this martini is a pretty fair recreation of the dessert, whipped cream included.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Smirnoff whipped cream vodka
- 3 oz Pumpkin flavour eggnog
- dash of cinnamon
- Brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup for garnish
- Whipped cream
Method:
Rim a martini glass with maple syrup and dip in the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice mix. Pour the vodka and eggnog in a martini shaker with ice and shake. Pour into martini glass and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
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