12 Tempting Pumpkin Cocktails and Drinks

Fix Your Pumpkin Cravings With an Autumn-Worthy Beverage

Thanksgiving cider recipe

The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

As the leaves begin to change every year, many people get a craving for all things pumpkin. Pumpkin cocktails and coffee drinks are among the most popular autumn drinks, and they're a lot of fun to mix up.

Pumpkin is a unique flavor in the beverage world. While it's not the most versatile, there is a pumpkin-flavored drink recipe for every taste and occasion.

Adding Pumpkin to Drinks

A few ingredients will bring that sweet pumpkin taste into your drinks, and they become relatively easy to find come fall. Some recipes use pumpkin ingredients commonly found in food, including pumpkin butter, purée, and seeds, and pumpkin pie filling or spice.

You will also notice pumpkin syrups, liqueurs, and vodkas appearing on store shelves as early as September. However, if you have a favorite brand, it's not a guarantee that it will be around next year. Pumpkin is a very seasonal flavor, and producers cannot always keep them going. If your favorite disappears, move on to the next option or learn how to make a substitute at home. There's always a way to get your pumpkin fix; sometimes, you just have to get creative.

  • 01 of 12

    Polished Princess

    Polished princess cocktail

    The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    The lovely polished princess cocktail is a great way to ease into pumpkin drinks. It offers a gentle taste of a pumpkin pie without an overload of the flavor. A fantastic vodka martini for fall, the recipe pairs vanilla vodka with fresh cranberries and a pinch of pumpkin spice. The egg white gives it a terrific texture, and the flavor profile is one that anyone can enjoy.

  • 02 of 12

    Pumpkin Old-Fashioned

    Pumpkin Old-Fashioned
    Lara Hata / Getty Images

    What can't you do with a great cocktail like the old-fashioned? This classic has been transformed countless times over the years, and this recipe gives it a pumpkin twist. In the pumpkin old-fashioned, you'll combine pumpkin purée with bourbon, Grand Marnier, and maple syrup to create a fine whiskey cocktail.

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    Pumpkin Spice Cocktail

    Pumpkin Spice Cocktail with Skyy Vodka
    Drbouz / Getty Images

    While you have that pumpkin purée, mix up the intriguing pumpkin spice cocktail. For this recipe, you will need to pick up or make your own ginger vodka. The play of spicy ginger against the pumpkin is quite interesting, and the lime and honey syrup bring it together admirably.

  • 04 of 12

    Pumpkin Martini

    Pumpkin Martini

     Personal Creations

    Pumpkin martini recipes are everywhere, and it's fun to find your personal favorite. This one is extremely simple, mixing vanilla vodka and cream liqueur with pumpkin liqueur. You can also switch to a pumpkin spice syrup. This might be easier to find from brands like Monin because they offer it annually for all those pumpkin spiced lattes.

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  • 05 of 12

    Pumpkin Pie Martini

    RumChata Pumpkin Pie Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    A similar recipe, the pumpkin pie martini, also uses vanilla vodka. This time it's paired with RumChata, a popular cream liqueur that creates delicious drinks. If you want to skip the pumpkin liqueur search, you can always turn to pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin butter as a substitute.

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    Ghost-tini

    Ghostini recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Caramel-kissed Irish cream liqueur plays a starring role in the ghost-tini. It's a funky drink designed for Halloween, but it's as delicious as all the others. The cream is mixed with vanilla vodka and pumpkin spice liqueur, and the sandwich cookie rim and gummy worm garnish add a whimsical touch.

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    Spiced Pumpkin Martini

    Belvedere Vodka's Spiced Pumpkin Martini
    Rob Palmer / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    Beyond liqueurs, you can also use a pumpkin-flavored vodka to create an amazing martini. While there are commercial options available, you can make it in just a few hours. The spiced pumpkin martini recipe includes a homemade spiced pumpkin vodka made with roasted, honey-braised pumpkin and bay leaves. Once ready, the drink requires spiced syrup and a piece of fresh ginger. It's a fascinating cocktail that is a perfect seasonal treat.

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    Spiced Pumpkin Cocktail

    Spiced pumpkin cockails

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    When it comes to pumpkin vodkas that you can buy, the most reliable is Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie. The brand has offered it as a seasonal release since 2013, so it's one of the regulars of this niche flavor. The spiced pumpkin cocktail was created for it, and the creamy drink is simply yummy.

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  • 09 of 12

    Thanksgiving Cider

    Thanksgiving cider recipe

    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

    For something significantly lighter and more refreshing, try the super-easy Thanksgiving cider recipe. It's a perfect pumpkin vodka drink for holiday meals, and the only other ingredients you need are apple cider and club soda. 

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    Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Pumpkin Spice Latte

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    Pass by the coffee shop and make a pumpkin spice latte at home. It is sure to save some money, and you'll love how easy it is to make. The recipe uses a pumpkin purée and various spices to create the popular drink's signature flavor. Simply brew a great cup of espresso or coffee, froth milk as it heats up, then bring it all together in your favorite mug.

  • 11 of 12

    Pumpkin Spice Coffee

    Pumpkin Spice Coffee

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    When you want to skip the dairy, try this pumpkin spiced coffee recipe. It includes enough pumpkin spice mix to get you through the entire season, and all you have to do is add a teaspoon to your preferred brewer. Whether you use a pour-over system, moka pot, French press, or drip machine, it's a fabulously easy way to enjoy the seasonal flavor.

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    Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

    Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Fire up the blender for a pumpkin spice protein shake. It's both healthy and satisfying, using pumpkin pie filling, maple syrup, and vanilla protein powder and extract. Add bananas or pecans, and use your favorite milk to customize it to your taste.