Pumpkin Pie Martini

RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

As the leaves begin to turn their autumn colors, all thoughts turn to pumpkin. In the drink world, that includes the pursuit for the perfect fall cocktail. When that craving for all things pumpkin hits, you'll love this delicious pumpkin pie martini recipe.

RumChata is a creamy liqueur made with dairy cream and has hints of cinnamon and vanilla, so it's an ideal foundation for a sweet pumpkin cocktail. The recipe uses a pumpkin liqueur, though that can be hard to find. You can make your own or swap for pumpkin spice syrup or even pumpkin pie filling. A shot of vanilla vodka marries the two liqueurs and creates a fantastic three-ingredient dessert cocktail with all of the flavors of classic pumpkin pie in drink form. It's sure to please on a chilly evening, at a holiday party, or after a big Thanksgiving meal.

"This cocktail introduced me to the delights of RumChata. The creamy, cinnamony liqueur is a perfect pairing for pumpkin liqueur and vanilla vodka. I'll try swapping the vodka for a nice spiced rum next time." —Laurel Randolph

pumpkin pie martini
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the RumChata, vanilla vodka, and pumpkin liqueur. Fill the shaker with ice.

    Making a RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  3. Shake well.

    Shaking a RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Straining a RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  5. Grate cinnamon on top for a garnish. Serve and enjoy.

    RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini with grated cinnamon on top
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • Pumpkin is a seasonal flavor and only a few liquor companies make pumpkin liqueur. Many have tried over the years, but the majority do not make a repeat appearance. The exceptions are Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice and Bols Pumpkin Spice; both have been reliable in the past.
  • Search your local stores to see what brands are available in any particular year. If you find one you really like, stock up. Remember that liqueurs have sugar that decreases the shelf life. You may get a second year out of an unopened bottle, but don't count on it.
  • Look for a mid-shelf vanilla vodka from your favorite brand. Absolut Vanilia Vodka is always a good choice.
  • RumChata can typically be found at most well-appointed liquor stores. Bailey's also makes a vanilla and cinnamon version of their cream liqueur that makes a good substitute.
  • To batch this cocktail, multiply the ingredient amounts by the number of serving and mix in a pitcher. Chill in the fridge for up to several hours, mix again, and serve.

Recipe Variations

  • Rather than pumpkin liqueur, use pumpkin spice syrup—a key ingredient for pumpkin spice lattes. In the grocery store, it's usually with the coffee sweeteners.
  • You can also use three tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling for this martini instead of the liqueur. Shake for 30 seconds to fully mix the thick purée.

How Strong Is a Pumpkin Pie Martini?

The pumpkin pie martini is both delicious and delightfully light on the alcohol. With a pumpkin liqueur, it has an alcohol content of just 11 percent ABV (22 proof). If you opt for one of the nonalcoholic pumpkin mixers, it's even lower than that.

Is a Pumpkin Pie Martini a Good Pairing for Pumpkin Pie?

The general rule for food and cocktail pairings is to avoid matching flavors. Under that theory, a pumpkin martini is not a great match for pumpkin pie. However, this particular cocktail is more cream than pumpkin. When made with pumpkin spice liqueur or syrup, it could be a delicious complement to a piece of pumpkin pie. The martini would also be excellent with cheesecake or a chocolate dessert.


Other good drinks for pumpkin pie include a chocolate martini, whiskey Manhattan, cinnamon coffee, and spiced seasonal beers. You can also try fortified wines; Madeira, tawny port, and sweet sherry are the best picks.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
363 Calories
6g Fat
19g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 363
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 29mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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