Great Pumpkin

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Cocktail History

The Great Pumpkin is an autumn cocktail that was created in 2008 by Jim Meehan at PDT in New York City, New York.

A playful take on the classic Flip template, the recipe combines the richness of both egg white and yolk with a dynamic blend of beer, apple brandy, and rye whiskey as the base. To complement these autumnal ingredients, it then incorporates a spiced maple syrup, adding a cozy, sweet warmth to the drink, and it tops it with freshly grated nutmeg, making for a festive and indulgent treat perfect for fall gatherings or solo sipping.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Pumpkin Ale: This is a type of beer made with malted barley, pumpkin, spices, hops, water, and yeast, which are brewed and fermented to develop a malty, autumnal flavor.

Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with fermented apple juice and yeast, which is distilled and aged to develop a smooth, fruity flavor.

Rye: This is a type of whiskey made with at least 51% fermented rye grain, malted barley, corn, and yeast, which are distilled and then aged in new charred oak barrels to develop a spicy, robust flavor.

Maple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with concentrated maple tree sap, which is boiled down into a rich, caramelized syrup.

Egg Yolk: This is the yellow portion of an egg that’s separated from the white and used to add richer flavor and thick texture to cocktails.

Egg White: This is the clear portion of an egg that’s separated from the yolk and used to add frothy texture to cocktails.

Nutmeg: This is a spice made from the seeds of the nutmeg tree, which are dried and grated for their warm, aromatic flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Whole Hog Beer Pumpkin Ale
• 🔗 Laird’s Straight Apple Brandy Bottled In Bond
• 🔗 Heaven Hill Distillery Rittenhouse Rye
• 🔗 Hamel Pure Maple Syrup
• 🔗 Morton & Bassett Whole Nutmeg

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Bottle Opener: This is a handheld tool that’s used for removing caps, corks, or seals from bottles.

Grater: This is a kitchen tool with sharp perforated edges that’s used for finely shredding, grating, or zesting ingredients.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Stainless Steel Bottle & Can Opener
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips Handheld Grater

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Light yellow color with a frothy white top

• Aroma: Savory nutmeg and beer

• Taste: Light-bodied flavor that melds pumpkin and maple with whiskey, brandy, and ale

• Finish: Sudden whiskey sharpness with a hint of apple

Kendall’s Take
“Flips don’t hold back on texture, and this fall version embraces that template’s luscious, frothy richness. The whole egg creates a silky body that makes each sip of the Great Pumpkin feel indulgent, while the pumpkin ale adds subtle hops and seasonal depth beneath the surface. It’s bold, cozy, and surprisingly well-balanced—a fantastic option for anyone who loves beer-forward cocktails or richer fall drinks.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.