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This pumpkin martini recipe is cozy and creamy, infused pumpkin pie spice and topped off with a crunchy graham cracker rim. A crowd-pleasing fall cocktail!
When fall drink season hits, I’ve got the perfect seasonal cocktail to add to your repertoire: the pumpkin martini! It strikes the balance between creamy dessert drink and sophisticated cocktail. In my recipe testing, I discovered using pumpkin puree along with pumpkin pie spice and pure maple syrup makes a creamy texture and just the right sweetness.
Coat the glass rim in crushed graham crackers and you get a hint of crunchy sweet in each sip! You can even serve it up as a Pumpkin Pie Martini topped with whipped cream! I absolutely love this drink in the fall, especially for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Essential ingredients in a pumpkin martini
The Pumpkin Martini is an autumnal spin on the flavored vodka martini using pumpkin flavors. There are many ways to achieve the flavors of the season.. For this recipe, I wanted to use the natural flavors: real pumpkin and pumpkin spice! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vodka: I prefer using a smooth, high-quality vodka like Tito’s for this recipe.
- Heavy cream: Cream makes the perfect rich, creamy martini. Substitute full-fat coconut milk for an equally creamy vegan drink.
- Maple syrup: Using maple syrup makes a nuanced sweetness; I prefer it to using simple syrup.
- Canned pumpkin puree: Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that throw off the flavors.
- Pumpkin pie spice: You can use store-bought or purchased or homemade pumpkin pie spice (I typically use purchased for ease).
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds just the right nuance.
Prepping the graham cracker rim
The graham crackers aren’t just a garnish: they’re essential to the experience! The rim adds a pop of flavor and texture to each sip. Here’s how to do it:
- Crush the crackers: Use your fingers or the bottom of a jar to break graham crackers into small, powdery pieces.
- Set up your stations: Pour maple syrup onto one plate and graham cracker crumbs onto another.
- Coat the rim: Dip the martini glass rim into maple syrup first, rotating to coat evenly. Then immediately roll in graham cracker crumbs, holding the glass steady and rotating just the stem.
Variation: the Pumpkin Pie Martini
Want to make this Pumpkin Martini into a Pumpkin Pie Martini? Simply add whipped cream! Adding a dollop of whipped cream takes it to over-the-top dessert drink status.
Try it with Homemade Whipped Cream, boozy with Bourbon Whipped Cream, or vegan with Dairy-Free Whipped Cream.
Creative serving ideas
This pumpkin martini works well for various occasions:
- Thanksgiving aperitif: Serve before dinner as a festive Thanksgiving cocktail
- Holiday or Halloween parties: Batch the recipe as a Halloween cocktail by multiplying ingredients and mixing in a pitcher (serve within an hour for best texture)
- Cozy night in: Pair with a cheese board featuring sharp cheddar and dried fruits
- Date night: Serve it in chilled coupes with cinnamon stick stirrers
- Winter gatherings: Serve alongside with other warming cocktails like Apple Cider Spritz or Hot Toddy.
Frequently asked questions
Our recipe testing found that ½ ounce maple syrup creates that perfect balance—especially with the graham cracker rim. If you’re craving something sweeter, here’s a guide:
½ oz = beautifully balanced
¾ oz = decidedly sweet
1 oz = dessert-in-a-glass territory
Brown sugar syrup takes just 5 minutes to make. Honey works too, though it brings a different personality to the drink. Both are solid understudies for maple syrup.
Yes, sub in full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream. it’ll bring a subtle tropical note, but it works surprisingly well.
Pumpkin Martini
This pumpkin martini recipe is cozy and creamy, infused pumpkin pie spice and topped off with a crunchy graham cracker rim. A crowd-pleasing fall cocktail!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces* vodka
- ½ ounce heavy cream (or coconut milk, for vegan)
- ½ ounce (to 1 ounce**) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Graham crackers, for the rim
Instructions
- Prepare the rim: Crush a graham cracker with your fingers, and place it on a plate. On another plate, add a small pool of maple syrup. Run the rim of a martini glass in the maple syrup first, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated. Then roll the rim in the crushed graham crackers until evenly coated.
- Shake the drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
**½ ounce maple syrup makes a balanced drink (and you’ll still get sweetness from the cracker rim). Use ¾ or 1 ounce maple syrup if you like a very sweet drink. If you don’t have pure maple syrup, try homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (it takes just 5 minutes).
Other pumpkin recipes you might enjoy
I’m a huge pumpkin fan, so I’ve created many pumpkin recipes and pumpkin drinks for the season! Here are some of my favorites:
- Bake up Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins or a Pumpkin Cake.
- Start the day with cozy Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, Pumpkin Pancakes, or Pumpkin Waffles.
- Sip a Pumpkin Smoothie or Pumpkin Spice Coffee.
- Make show-stopping Vegan Pumpkin Pie or Mini Pumpkin Pies.
This is easy, delicious, beautiful, and company-worthy! Have made it many times.
Looks good. Is the maple syrup just for the rim or does it get added to the drink?
It’s included in the drink! There is just extra for the rim.
Hi, do you have a homemmade recipe for the pumpkin pure?? I am in the UK and all I can find is canned pie filling
We don’t, sorry!
Can you make a larger batch to serve many.? Will it keep for a couple of hours?
It won’t keep too well… I’d try to serve within an hour. You could definitely do a large batch whisked in a bowl. Change ounces to cups for 8x recipe.
Can you recommend an appetizer to serve with this?
Thank you!!
Great question! Baked brie could be nice with this; here’s a recipe: https://www.acouplecooks.com/baked-brie/ You could also do something like whipped ricotta with crostini and maybe topped with pomegranate seeds? https://www.acouplecooks.com/whipped-ricotta/
I’m hosting Thanksgiving and wanted to have dueling martinis! To keep it simple for a large group, I need to make the recipes in a large batch – do you think this recipe and your pear martini would work well premixed or do you have any other fall martini recipes that you recommend instead?
Since they both have actual fruit in them they will start to separate if done in a pitcher ahead. The pumpkin would work if you made it in a blender maybe!
Otherwise, you could try the https://www.acouplecooks.com/pomegranate-martini/ or https://www.acouplecooks.com/apple-cider-martini/
Best!
I thought that would probably be my issue – thank you for the other recommendations!! I think the apple cider martini will be perfect!
Hey! Love this concept!! What kind of vodka would you recommend?
We usually use Tito’s.
Can you use tequila or another alcohol substitute or only vodka?
This looks delicious! Do you have any ideas to substitute the vodka? I am hosting a small Halloween get together and we are making various drinks and one of my friends does not drink alcohol. I would love for him to have a great experience as well and am trying to pick options that I can easily make non-alcoholic as well! I was thinking maybe add a bit more pumpkin puree and some more coconut milk but was wondering if you had any other ideas. Thanks in advance (:
I would try cutting the maple syrup and replacing vodka with tonic water. Top off with a bit more tonic water at the end as the bubbles will help the flavor.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Hello, this looks great. I feel like I should have made this years ago!
But does it need to be blended at all? I’m imagining it being chunky in a shaker with the pumpkin. I assume canned pumpkin puree works for this?
It doesn’t need to be blended — it shakes up perfectly creamy! Yes, use canned pumpkin puree; we’ll add a note in the recipe! Hope you enjoy it!