Pull out your coziest cardigan and grab a cocktail shaker because you are about to treat yourself to a Pumpkin Martini! It’s creamy, sweetened with maple syrup, and full of warm fall spices and pure pumpkin.
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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Martini Recipe
- Pumpkin Martini: The New PSL. Yes, a bold statement! But I think it’s high time we made the pumpkin martini a thing. (Not all of us can handle caffeine after 5pm, after all.) This fall-inspired martini has the cozy flavor you love in a pumpkin spice latte, sans the coffee—but with vodka.
- Perfect for a Party. If you’re planning any parties for this fall—or just planning ahead for Thanksgiving—this pumpkin martini recipe belongs on your menu. The color and flavor are serving up autumn in spades, and the crushed graham crackers or gingersnaps on the rim make it fun and whimsical.
- Made With Real Pumpkin. Unlike so many of our favorite store-bought pumpkin-y treats, which are made with the spices and not the actual vegetable, this pumpkin martini is made with real, legit, honest pumpkin puree. Look at you, working some nutrition into your cocktail!
How to Make a Pumpkin Martini
The Ingredients
- Vodka. Mid-tier is just fine here!
- Half-and-Half. For creaminess without the heaviness of actual cream.
- Pumpkin Puree. This is a perfect recipe for using up that extra bit of leftover pumpkin puree in your can. If you open a new one, yes, you’ll have extra, but that just means there are more pumpkin martinis in your future. (You can also freeze it for another day, or use it to make Pumpkin Oatmeal and Pumpkin Scones for breakfast.)
- Maple Syrup. Be sure to use maple syrup, not breakfast syrup, which is cloying and one-note.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice. If you don’t have this on hand, you can add very small pinches of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Careful with the nutmeg and cloves, they can be over-powering!
- Pure Vanilla Extract. Vanilla bean paste would also work.
- Crushed Graham Crackers or Gingersnaps. For the rim. You can crush them in a zip-top bag, or place them in a mini food processor.
- Cinnamon Stick. To garnish your pumpkin martini, if desired.
The Directions
- Rim the Glass. Place the crumbs on one small plate and pour maple syrup on another. Run the edge of the rim in the syrup, followed by the crumbs.
- Combine. Add all of the ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake it well!
- Serve. Strain the pumpkin martini into glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Make It a Mocktail. While I haven’t tested this, you could try skipping the half-and-half and using evaporated milk instead of vodka for a mocktail pumpkin martini.
- Use Something Other Than Pumpkin. There have been years in the past when pumpkin puree is hard to find on grocery store shelves. Don’t worry! You can swap in butternut squash puree—either canned or homemade—which is almost indistinguishable from pumpkin.
- More Ideas for the Rim. Coarse Demerara sugar or maple sugar can be used instead of the cookie crumbs, try ground espresso beans for PSL vibes, caramel instead of maple syrup, or come up with your own variation.
What to Serve with This Pumpkin Martini
- Pumpkin Desserts. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes or Pumpkin Snickerdoodles would be fantastic for a dessert spread at a party.
- Pumpkin Apps. This Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini is also a hit at parties!
- Other Cozy Fall Drinks. Yes, Hot Buttered Bourbon and Apple Cider Mimosas, YES!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Shake Well. You need to incorporate the spices and get the pumpkin puree blended into the liquid, which takes a good amount of shaking. At least 30 seconds!
- No Cocktail Shaker? Improvise. Don’t let a lack of equipment keep you from enjoying a pumpkin martini. A shaker bottle for protein powder will work, or just use a jar. The straining part is a bit trickier, but you can use the old holding-a-fork-over-the-rim trick and deal with a few stray bits of ice in your martini.
- Make Sure Your Spices Are Fragrant. If you haven’t touched the jar of pumpkin spices in your pantry since last fall, give them a whiff before you make this recipe (or any other pumpkin recipe) to make sure they’re still aromatic. Spices lose their oomph over time.
Pumpkin Martini
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Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce half-and-half
- 1 ½ tablespoons pumpkin puree use 2 tablespoons if you really love pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup plus additional for the rim
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or a baby pinch each of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Finely crushed graham crackers or gingersnaps for the rim
- Cinnamon stick optional for garnish
Instructions
- To rim the glasses, spread the crushed graham crackers onto a small plate. Pour a little maple syrup on a second plate. Gently run the edge of the rim around in the maple syrup, then in the crumbs so they adhere.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, half-and-half, pumpkin, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Shake for a solid 30 seconds to vigorously to combine and dilute (it’s longer than you think!).
- Strain into the glasses. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Video
Notes
- I haven’t made this as a mocktail, but I think you could experiment with omitting the half and half and swapping the vodka for evaporated milk.
- TO STORE: Since this recipe makes a single martini, you probably won’t have leftovers, but in the unlikely case that you do, refrigerate them in a jar or other airtight container for up to 2 days. I recommend giving it a good shake again before serving, as the spices and pumpkin will settle a bit.
Nutrition
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Simply wonderful! The flavors were soft, creamy and refreshing! I’m definitely keeping this recipe in my fall cocktail rotation. So glad I found this gem!
So happy to hear, thank you Nikki!
Totally Impressed! I made this pumpkin martini for a family gathering and everyone loved it. The pumpkin flavor was well-balanced, and the spices gave it a nice kick.
Hello fall! ;) So glad you enjoyed it, Gianna!
Yum! The flavors are perfectly balanced and it is perfect for a cozy night. I’m already looking forward to making this again!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Gemma! Thank you!