We love pumpkin drinks, but we hate how underrated they are! While pumpkin drinks and pumpkin cocktails are popular when it’s Halloween or Thanksgiving, pumpkin spice is available all through the year - and we think pumpkin drinks should be enjoyed more often!
To inspire your pumpkin spice drinks mixing, we’ve put together a list of eight of our top pumpkin drinks. We’ve included alcoholic cocktails like the Pumpkin Mule (which is perfectly refreshing in the summer) and classic winter warmers like the Pumpkin Spice Latte (which you can make alcoholic with a dash of whisky or rum!).
Keep reading, and discover the spiced delights of our favorite pumpkin drinks.
Top 8 pumpkin drinks and pumpkin cocktails
The following pumpkin drinks are all fantastic takes on classic cocktails (such as an Old Fashioned and a Pina Colada). They are classic pumpkin cocktails recipes in their own right (like a Spice Latte, which always appears in the winter).
For the cocktails, we suggest using a cocktail shaker for the best results, as well as an ice ball maker to help you prepare the freshest, smoothest ice.
You might be wondering what sort of pumpkin goes into these drinks, and there are a few options you can try. The recipes work well with pumpkin puree (which you can make at home with a pumpkin and a blender) or canned pumpkin. For added flavor, we suggest using a pumpkin pie spice mix, too. This isalwaysavailable on the run-up to Halloween but might not be so readily available other times of the year.
Pumpkin pie mix doesn’t actually have pumpkin in it, and you can mix it up at home with the following spices:
- 1 tsp of cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp of ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp of ground ginger
- ¼ tsp of ground cloves
Right, let’s get to the critical part, the pumpkin mix drinks and cocktails!
#1 Pumpkin Mule
The Pumpkin Mule is a twist on the classic Russian-inspired Moscow Mule, a staple mix of all bars! A traditional Moscow Mule is a mix of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice served in a copper tankard with crushed ice.
The cocktail needs vodka and ginger beer but swaps the lime juice for pumpkin puree and a little pumpkin pie spice mix. Shake the ingredients together and serve over crushed ice. This excellent pumpkin spice drinks recipe is perfect in the summer when the sun is shining.
Top Tip: try using vanilla-flavored vodka to add an extra element of flavor to this delightful recipe.
#2 Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned with another pumpkin twist on a cocktail classic. This is an Old Fashioned, but with a spicy kick! The Old Fashioned is a simple yet timeless whiskey-based cocktail that mixes muddled sugar and bitters with a dash of water and a few shots of whiskey or bourbon.
To prepare a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, you’re going to need whiskey or bourbon, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and bitters and sugar. It’s made the same way, but mix the pumpkin puree with the whiskey and muddle the pumpkin pie spice with the sugar and bitters.
Top Tip: why not try a flavored bourbon whiskey such as honey-infused Jack Daniels to give this cocktail a sweeter disposition?
#3 Pumpkin Sangria
Pumpkin Sangria is one of the best alcoholic pumpkin drinks to prepare in pitcher size because this drink is made for sharing.
This is a severe mix of summer and fall drinks, so it’s perfect when the days start to get colder but the sun is still shining.
You’ll need a large pitcher, a bottle of white wine, a pumpkin pie mix, and a dash of vodka. This drink is best when it’s fruity, so slice up a few fall favorites such as apples and pears and add them to the pitcher, too.,
Top Tip: Mix Pumpkin Sangria recipes with sparkling apple cider for another fall twist on this summer favorite.
#4 Pumpkin Spice Latte
It is not fall unless the Pumpkin Spice Latte is in the coffee shops, but you don’t need to go to Starbucks for your coffee fix.
You’ll need your coffee base, of course (espresso works best), condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and a few spoonfuls of pumpkin puree. Top it all off with a little whipped cream!
Top Tip: Add a dash of brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon to give your Pumpkin Spice Latte a serious punch!
#5 Pumpkin Colada
The Pumpkin Colada is a creamy combination of white rum, pineapple juice, freshly squeezed lime, coconut cream, and pumpkin puree!
This is one of the best pumpkin-style summer cocktails, but it’s perfect for fall, too, when you’re craving a little tropical fruit in your life.
Simply mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour over crushed ice for that creamy, frothy finish.
Top Tip: Hollow out a small pumpkin, and pour in your Pumpkin Colada!
#6 Pumpkin Spice Pie Martini
The Martini might be a classic, but have you tried the Pumpkin Spice Pie Martini? This great recipe is packed full of pumpkin and topped off with a sizable serving of whipped cream!
Mix vanilla vodka with creme de cacao and pumpkin puree before pouring into a pumpkin spice rimmed Martini glass. Add whipped cream, then sprinkle extra pumpkin pie spice to finish.
This recipe goes well with a sprinkling of chocolate and cinnamon, too, in addition to the pumpkin pie spice.
Top Tip: Why not try out Bailey’s or any other creamy liquor instead of creme de cacao?
#7 Pumpkin Spice Cocktail
The Pumpkin Spice Cocktail is a simple yet delicious pumpkin drink that’s perfect for fall and for thanksgiving.
You’ll need to mix pumpkin puree with vodka and lime juice. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice mix, and add a little sugar syrup for a sweet kick. We suggest serving this pumpkin cocktail over crushed ice.
Top Tip: Make sure you’re using freshly squeezed lime juice for the best Pumpkin Spice Cocktail results!
#8 Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
If you’re trying to stay healthy, then a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is the best way to load up on nutrients and vitamins in the fall.
You’ll need a blender for this recipe, of course, but the great thing about smoothies is they are so customizable. Don’t like bananas? Try apples instead!
Our favorite Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe mixes pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice with banana, milk, yogurt, and peanut butter.
Top Tip: Try using vanilla yogurt and vanilla extract for a vanilla twist!
Pumpkin drinks: it’s time to get spicy!
Pumpkin drinks are great for the fall, especially when it’s Halloween or Thanksgiving, and you’re looking for a classic cocktail or winter warmer to serve your friends and family.
But don’t forget, you can get spicy with these cocktails all through the year. Why not try mixing a refreshing Pumpkin Mule on a hot summer’s day or a Pumpkin Old Fashioned in the spring?
If you’re looking to get spicy with some pumpkins, then why not bookmark our guide to the best pumpkin drinks recipes?