The Great Pumpkin Martini

As autumn continues to develop into the season we know and love, the search for certain drinks that follow the flavors of the season begins. One of the cocktails I get the most request for this time of year is a Pumpkin Martini. It seems to be one of the most elusive drinks out there. One reason is that unless you use a pumpkin puree or fresh meat from your recent jack-o-lantern carving, it's difficult to find an ingredient to give you the pumpkin flavor.

This year I took on the task of making another pumpkin variation I call the Pumpkin Spice Martini. In mine the base is rye whiskey, which adds a deeper base, and Hiram Walker's Pumpkin Spice Liqueur with a bit of anise liqueur for extra spice. The issue is that HR's pumpkin liqueur is a seasonal bottling and it seems to come and go from year to year. The good news is that it is available this year and it's not as sweet as many novelty-flavored liqueurs can be. This means that our Pumpkin Martini quest will be a little easier this year.

There are many, many, many recipes for a Pumpkin Martini and each has their own style. Another recipe, the Pumpkin Martini, calls for either a pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup and pairs that with vanilla vodka and cream liqueur. The Pumpkin Divine uses pumpkin butter paired with pear vodka and some fresh spices. Pumpkin-flavored drinks are great and no matter how you make yours its an autumnal delight that is worth the wait every year.