This Pumpkin Pie Martini recipe is a guaranteed hit of any holiday cocktail party. This made for Thanksgiving cocktail puts a whole new spin on what you should be drinking this fall. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving cocktail party this is a must serve!
Pumpkin Martini
Indulge in the captivating flavors of your beloved pumpkin pie, elegantly captured within a chilled Pumpkin Martini. Creamy, sweet, and enriched with nuanced pumpkin spice accents, this fall-inspired cocktail offers a velvety-smooth experience that’s brimming with comforting notes. Even better, crafting this pumpkin martini is a breeze, requiring just a few fundamental ingredients including vanilla vodka and crème de cacao. Elevate your holiday celebrations or unwind during a quiet cocktail hour at home with this seasonal drink that perfectly embodies the cozy season.
If you are even thinking about serving cocktails for Thanksgiving, Halloween or Christmas this easy Pumpkin Pie Martini needs to be on your short list!. While Champagne is always a good celebratory drink, along with beer and wine, this holiday cocktail is next-level. If you’ve never enjoyed a pumpkin pie cocktail, this is your chance to experience something different.
Related: Pumpkin Spice Mule
The pumpkin spice martini is very desserty. I have served them during cocktail hour and during dessert. One batch will make four cocktails and these martinis are the quintessential party cocktails for the upcoming holiday season.
No one will forget these very special cocktails (or maybe they will depending on how many they have).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie Vibes: Immerses your senses in the flavors reminiscent of your favorite pumpkin pie, transformed into an inviting Pumpkin Martini.
- Creamy Indulgence: You’ll get to experience the creaminess this cocktail offers, delivering a velvety-smooth texture with every sip.
- Pumpkin Spice Nuances: The subtle pumpkin spice notes, add a layer of warmth and complexity to your glass.
- Autumnal Comfort: It’s easy to embrace fall as you sip on this cozy and inviting drink, perfect for capturing the ambiance of the season.
- Effortless Elegance: Elevates your mixology game with minimal effort. This recipe is a breeze to whip up, featuring basic ingredients like vanilla vodka and crème de cacao.
- Homemade Happiness: Lets you craft a bar-worthy cocktail right at home, treating yourself to a touch of sophistication without leaving your cozy abode.
Pumpkin Martini Ingredients
By combining these carefully chosen ingredients, you’ll create a pumpkin martini that’s not only visually appealing, but also a drink full of flavors and textures, reminiscent of your beloved pumpkin pie experience.
See the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions, this list is just an overview.
- Cinnamon Sugar (for the rim): Adds an aromatic and slightly sweet contrast to each sip, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the cocktail.
- Vanilla Vodka: Infuses the cocktail with a smooth and comforting vanilla flavor, complementing the pumpkin flavors and gives a subtle alcoholic kick.
- Crème de Cacao: Introduces a layer of rich chocolate notes that intertwines with the pumpkin and spice elements.
- Heavy Cream (for the cocktail): Imparts a luxurious and velvety texture to the martini, contributing to the creamy mouthfeel and rounding out the flavors.
- Heavy Cream (for the frozen whipped cream on top): When whipped and frozen, this cream forms a chilly crown on the cocktail, giving it a welcomed contrast in temperature and texture.
- Confectioners’ Sugar (for the whipped cream): Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream, making it airy, while also enhancing the overall sweetness of the drink.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Infuses the cocktail with a medley of warm spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and evoking the essence of a pumpkin pie.
Crème de Cacao
What Does Crème de Cacao Taste Like?
Crème de Cacao is a flavored, alcoholic liqueur. The best way to describe it would be chocolate bean with a hint of vanilla. However, Crème de Cacao is completely different from a chocolate liqueur, which would be more viscous, like syrup and much sweeter. There is a dark and white (clear) version of Crème de Cacao and you definitely want the white (clear) version for this pumpkin pie martini recipe.
Is There a Non-Alcoholic Substitute For Crème de Cacao?
Try using 3 tablespoons of water and 3/4 teaspoons of chocolate extract for every 1/4 cup of Crème de Cacao called for in a recipe.
Pumpkin Cocktail Variations
Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste preferences and the occasion, there are so many fun ways to create the best pumpkin cocktail. Here are a few of my ideas…
- Spiced Apple Twist: Replace the crème de cacao with apple schnapps for a fusion of pumpkin and apple flavors, reminiscent of a spiced apple pie.
- Maple Pecan Delight: Infuse the cocktail with the rich flavors of fall by using a maple-flavored vodka and adding a splash of pecan liqueur.
- Gingersnap Zest: Swap out the vanilla vodka for ginger-flavored vodka, and rim the glass with crushed gingersnap cookies for a spicy and crunchy twist.
- Coconut Pumpkin Fusion: Combine coconut-flavored rum with pumpkin puree for a tropical-meets-autumnal experience that’s both creamy and intriguing.
- Nutty Spice: Introduce hazelnut liqueur to the mix for a nutty undertone that pairs with the pumpkin spice.
- Pumpkin Espresso Martini: Infuse a shot of espresso into the mix for a different take on the pumpkin martini, perfect for coffee enthusiasts.
- Chocolate Pumpkin Temptation: Enhance the chocolate element by using chocolate vodka and a touch of chocolate liqueur, complementing the pumpkin flavors.
- Salted Caramel Elegance: Add depth by incorporating salted caramel vodka, elevating the overall sweetness with a hint of savory.
- Pumpkin Chai Infusion: Infuse the cocktail with chai tea flavors by using chai-infused vodka and adding a dash of chai spice blend.
- Cranberry Harvest: Introduce a touch of tartness by including a splash of cranberry juice, to contrast pumpkin pie spice.
- Pumpkin Pie Ala Mode: Float a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the cocktail, instead of whipped cream for a decadent dessert-like experience.
- Toasted Marshmallow Garnish: Change the presentation by toasting a marshmallow and placing it on a skewer as a garnish.
Helpful Tips for Crafting the Perfect Pumpkin Martini
- Chill Everything: To ensure a refreshing and crisp cocktail, make sure all your ingredients, including the glasses, are properly chilled in advance.
- Prep the Rim: Dip the glass rim in water or crème de cacao before coating it with cinnamon sugar. This will help the sugar adhere better and create a neat, aromatic rim.
- Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality vanilla vodka and crème de cacao to enhance the overall flavor and aroma of the martini.
- Whip it Up: When making the frozen whipped cream, ensure the heavy cream is cold before whipping. Whipping in a chilled bowl can also help achieve fluffy peaks.
- Experiment with Garnishes: Consider adding a small cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of grated nutmeg on top for an extra touch of visual and aromatic appeal.
- Serve Immediately: The frozen whipped cream can melt over time, so serve the martini promptly after adding the topping for the best presentation.
More Holiday Cocktail Recipes To Try
- Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktail
- Happy Elf Cocktail
- New Year’s Eve Countdown Cocktail
- Sparkling Tropical Mimosa Punch
- World’s Best Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Autumn in Liquid Form
When you sip into fall with this cozy cocktail, don’t forget to snap a photo and tag @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM. This is a cocktail worth toasting to.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
How To Make a Pumpkin Martini
Pumpkin Pie Martini Recipe
Ingredients
Frozen Whipped Cream: (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream*
- 2 tbsps confectioners' sugar
Pumpkin Martini:
- 2-3 tsps cinnamon-sugar, for the rim
- 1/4 cup vanilla vodka such as Absolut brand
- 1/4 cup Creme de Cacao liqueur (clear)**
- 1/2 cup heavy cream*
- 1-1/2 tsps pumpkin pie spice, more for sprinkling on top
Instructions
Pumpkin Martini:
- Dip the edges of your martini glasses in water or Creme de Cacao. Shake off any extra liquid and dip the edges into cinnamon-sugar.2-3 tsps cinnamon-sugar, for the rim
- Chill prepared martini glasses in the freezer or the fridge at least thirty minutes before serving.
- If you are going to make the frozen whipped cream you'll want to do this before making the cocktail. The frozen whipped cream can be made up two days in advance and can hang out in the freezer until you're ready to use it. Add heavy cream and confectioners' sugar to a bowl. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Place whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip (any shape). Pipe whipped cream into round towers on a parchment lined tray (will make four). Place in the freezer immediately and at least 30 minutes.1/2 cup heavy cream*, 2 tbsps confectioners' sugar
- For the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, Creme de Cacao, heavy cream and pumpkin pie spice. Shake well (at least fifty time vigorously). Strain into chilled martini glasses. Place frozen whipped cream towers on top of the drinks and sprinkle lightly with additional pumpkin pie spice.1/4 cup vanilla vodka such as Absolut brand, 1/4 cup Creme de Cacao liqueur (clear)**, 1/2 cup heavy cream*, 1-1/2 tsps pumpkin pie spice, more for sprinkling on top
Notes
Nutrition
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
