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Cocktail History
The Pumpkin Apple Shandy is an autumn cocktail that was created by recipe developer Jenn Meyering in Fort Worth, Texas. The recipe is a souped up version of pumpkin beer that mixes flavored ale made with real pumpkin and baking spices with freshly pressed apple cider and spiced bourbon whiskey from Kentucky.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Pumpkin Ale: This is a type of beer made with pumpkin, baking spices, hops, malts, yeast, and water. We used Whole Hog Beer Pumpkin Ale. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Wellbeing Brewing Non-Alcoholic Pumpkin Ale in place of the beer.
Apple Cider: This is a beverage made with freshly pressed apple juice and baking spices. We used The Glass Orchard Apple Cider because it’s fresh, delicious, and made locally to us.
Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, grains, malted barley, and water. We used Buffalo Trace Distillery Benchmark Bourbon because it has a delicious whiskey spice with notes of caramel, stone fruit, tobacco, oak, and cherries. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Spiritless Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Bourbon Whiskey in place of the whiskey.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Tasting Notes
The Pumpkin Apple Shandy has the scent of pumpkin and a heavy, thick texture and taste that’s made up of apple and pumpkin married together with a hint of bourbon spice, which all continue seamlessly into the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: This recipe was an absolute delight to both of us, even to Kendall who wants nothing to do with beer. Serving the Pumpkin Apple Shandy a surefire way to get your beer-drinking friends sipping on a craft cocktail instead this time of year.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This was a very delicious beer cocktail! The pumpkin and apple are perfect bedmates as far as fall flavors go, and the bourbon’s accenting notes were just the thing to give it the right mouthfeel while adding a bit more spice. It’s fairly simple, but the cocktail ticked all of the boxes for a perfect fall drink, in my opinion.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A beer, bourbon, and apple cider drink almost feels like it shouldn’t be considered a craft cocktail because it’s so simple, but when I came across this recipe, I was intrigued by how the trio might pair together taste-wise. I have a hops allergy, so I only took a few sips. What I did taste was an absolute delight though! If I could drink beer, I’d sip on this by a bonfire, for sure, and I can guarantee just about everyone would enjoy one of these at a fall gathering.”
Recipe
Add beer, apple cider, bourbon and cubed ice to a beer glass.
Stir for 5-7 seconds.
Ingredients
Directions
Add beer, apple cider, bourbon and cubed ice to a beer glass.
Stir for 5-7 seconds.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Wellbeing Brewing Non-Alcoholic Pumpkin Ale in place of the beer and Spiritless Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Bourbon Whiskey in place of the whiskey to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Pumpkin Cocktails
If you like this pumpkin-flavored cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Pumpkin Cider: An apply brandy and dark rum cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin cubes, butter, sugar, whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and grated nutmeg
Spiced Pumpkin Punch: A gin cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin purée, honey syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon sticks
Thanksgiving Nog: A dark rum cocktail made with water, heavy cream, pumpkin purée, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, ground mace, whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick
Pumpkin Spiced Russian: A vodka cocktail made with coffee liqueur, milk, caramel sauce, pumpkin spice syrup, and a cinnamon stick
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2023-12-07.
