This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
This Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini is a coffee cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. It was created as an autumnal variation of the original Espresso Martini that uses coffee as a base but calls for vanilla-flavored vodka instead of classic vodka and adds pumpkin and baking spices, the quintessential flavors of fall, in a homemade syrup.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Vanilla Vodka: This is a type of vodka made with vanilla pods, grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. We used Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka because it has a tasty vanilla flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try STRYKK Not Vanilla V*dka in place of the vanilla vodka.
Espresso: This is a concentrated type of coffee made from finely ground coffee beans and hot water. We used ground coffee from a local supplier.
Coffee Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with coffee, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Mr. Black Spirits Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur because it has a bold coffee flavor with very little sweetness. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Coffee Original Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the coffee liqueur.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup: This is a sweetener made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, brown sugar, white sugar, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Grated Nutmeg: This is a spice made from the seed of a nutmeg tree. We used whole nutmeg from the bulk section at our local grocery store.
Coffee Beans: This is the a seed of the Coffea plant.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Espresso Machine: This brews hot espresso coffee. We used the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine.
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Grater: This is used to grate spices or citrus peel. We used the OXO Good Grips Grater.
Tweezers: This is used to place the garnish on the drink. We used one from the Stainless Steel Food Tweezers Set.
Tasting Notes
The Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini features the aromas of coffee and nutmeg and tastes prominently like espresso, but the coffee flavor is nicely balanced by hints of pumpkin, vanilla, and baking spices.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both loved this recipe and thought it was a dangerously easy sip, especially for coffee lovers. And even if you’re not a coffee drinker, it’s worth giving this delicious fall cocktail a try. Alex loves having a daily cup of joe; meanwhile, Kendall usually doesn’t like anything coffee-flavored, but she really liked this drink a lot. Thanks to the vanilla vodka and fabulous homemade pumpkin spice syrup, it’s nowhere close to as bitter as some coffees can be when you’re not used to its taste.
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.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.
Add vanilla vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, pumpkin spice syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with grated nutmeg and coffee beans.
Ingredients
Directions
Add vanilla vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, pumpkin spice syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with grated nutmeg and coffee beans.
Make It a Mocktail: Use STRYKK Not Vanilla V*dka in place of the vanilla vodka and Lyre’s Coffee Original Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the coffee liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
Find collections of cocktail glassware and bartending tools we recommend for your home bar in our Amazon shop.
More Pumpkin Cocktails
If you like this pumpkin-flavored cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Smashed Pumpkin: A bourbon cocktail made with lemon juice, pumpkin spice syrup, orange bitters, and an egg white
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
Spiced Pumpkin Punch: A gin cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin purée, honey syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon sticks
Pumpkin Cider: An apple brandy and rum cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin cubes, butter, sugar, whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and grated nutmeg
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 2024-04-07.
