Pumpkin Espresso Martini

Shaken, not stirred—that’s the perfect way to make this martini. Our pumpkin espresso martini kicks things up a notch, with a nicely pumpkin pie–spiced pumpkin puree paired with espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur. It’s smooth and delicious, and the real pumpkin puree even adds nutritional value!

Ingredients for Pumpkin Espresso Martini

• Ice: The ice is shaken with the other ingredients and immediately chills the martini.
• Vodka: While some martinis incorporate gin, this one uses vodka instead.
• Coffee liqueur: This coffee-flavored booze is often made from rum and coffee beans. Some brands such as Kahlua and Tia Maria also add vanilla.
• Brewed espresso: Actual espresso, rather than an artificial flavoring, makes this a delightful take on an espresso martini. Use decaf espresso to skip the caffeine, if you’d like.
• Vanilla dairy creamer: A vanilla-flavored creamer adds a hint of vanilla to this drink.
• Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) gives the martini its true pumpkin flavor. The nutrients found in pumpkin, such as vitamins A, C and E, plus potassium, magnesium and iron, make pumpkin a superfood.
• Pumpkin pie spice: It’s not a Spice Girl, but it’s all the rage. This spice combination of cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg is the unofficial scent and flavor of autumn. Here’s how to make your own pumpkin pie spice blend.
• Caramel sauce: You’ll dip the rim of your martini glass in caramel sauce to give the sugar something to stick to.
• Turbinado sugar: With a high molasses content, turbinado sugar falls somewhere between brown sugar and cane sugar. It adds a rich, sweet hit and a bit of crunch to the rim of your glass
• Garnishes: A fall cocktail calls for fall garnishes. If you’d like, you can add a cinnamon stick, a star anise pod, a few espresso beans and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to the finished drink.

Directions 

Step 1: Prep the martini glass

Pour small amount of caramel sauce into a small rimmed plate or shallow bowl. Add the turbinado sugar to another small rimmed plate or shallow bowl. Dip the rim of the martini glass into the caramel sauce, allowing excess to drip off. Then dip the rim of glass into the turbinado sugar, pressing gently to adhere it.

Step 2: Shake the martini

Place ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, creamer, canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Cover the cocktail shaker, and shake it until the liquid is very cold.

Step 3: Strain the martini

Strain the cocktail into a prepared martini glass. Serve it immediately. If desired, sprinkle it with additional pumpkin pie spice and garnish it with a cinnamon stick, a star anise pod and espresso beans.

Pumpkin Espresso Martini Variations

• Dust it with cinnamon: Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top of the martini as a garnish. A light hit of shaved chocolate looks nice and tastes great, too.
• Use a nondairy vanilla creamer: Using a nondairy or plant-based vanilla creamer makes the martini vegan-friendly.
• Use cold-brew coffee: A strong cold-brew coffee or coffee concentrate may be used if it’s more convenient than espresso. Some instant espresso powders, typically found in the baking aisle, can be used to make a decent espresso for when you’re whipping up cocktails at home.
• Add chocolate-covered coffee beans: Make your garnishes even more decadent by dropping a few chocolate-covered espresso beans on the finished drink.

How to Store Pumpkin Espresso Martini

This martini is best enjoyed immediately. But if you make more than you can enjoy in an evening, you can store the rest in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just shake it all back up again when you’re ready to go. Plan to drink it the following day.

Can you make pumpkin espresso martini ahead of time?

Feel free to prepare the ingredients, without ice, an hour or two before your guests arrive. One option is to batch the pumpkin espresso martini ingredients in a pitcher and pour a rough serving into a shaker full of ice when needed. Another option is to measure out the ingredients for individual cocktails and store them in separate jars or containers. That way you have the perfect proportions each time a guest requests one.

Pumpkin Espresso Martini Tips

Should the espresso be hot?

The espresso can be hot or cold; hot works just as well to create the wonderful frothy foam for the top of the martini. The key to the lovely foam is to shake the martini vigorously.

What is canned pumpkin?

Canned pumpkin, also known as pumpkin puree or solid-pack pumpkin, is pumpkin that’s been steamed and pureed. It is perfect for pies—and recipes such as this martini.

Could I use something other than canned pumpkin?

Sure! Believe it or not, canned sweet potatoes or yams taste quite similar in this recipe, especially with the pumpkin spice and all the other ingredients added. If you’re in a baking mood you could also make your own pumpkin puree.