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Cocktail History
The Pumpkin Cider is an autumn cocktail that was created by bar manager and author Nick Mautone and was first published in his book The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails. It mixes a brandy and rum base with apple cider, fresh pumpkin, and baking spices to create a warm batch drink that’s great for fireside or holiday party sipping.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with apples, pears, spices, sugar, and alcohol. I used Laird’s Applejack.
Dark Rum: This is a type of rum made with sugarcane, spices, and alcohol that has been barrel aged for a long period of time. I used Mount Gay Eclipse Rum.
Apple Cider: This is a beverage made with freshly pressed apple juice and baking spices. I used The Glass Orchard Apple Cider.
Pumpkin Cubes: This the flesh of a pumpkin that has been cut into a cube shape.
Butter: This is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components in churned cream. I used Westby Cooperative Creamery Sweet Cream Butter.
Sugar: This is white sugar that has been processed, crystallized, and dried so the crystals don’t clump together. I used C&H Pure Cane Granulated Sugar.
Whole Cloves: This is the flower bud from the clove tree. I used Simply Organic Whole Cloves.
Star Anise: This is the seed pod from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant. I used Frontier Co-op Star Anise.
Cinnamon Stick: This is a dried spice that has been rolled into a stick. I used Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks.
Grated Nutmeg: This is a spice made from the seed of a nutmeg tree. I used Frontier Co-op Whole Nutmeg.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Chef’s Knife: This is used to cut the pumpkin into cubes. I used the OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.
Saucepan: This is used to warm the ingredients. I used the Cuisinart 3-Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan with Cover.
Spoon: This is used to stir the ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips Silicone Spoon.
Ladle: This is used to transfer the drink to cups. I used the OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday Ladle.
Grater: This is used to grate spices or citrus peel. I used the OXO Good Grips Grater.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Brown-ish orange color
• Aroma: Apple and baking spices
• Taste: Strong Apple cider flavor with notes of pumpkin, rum spices, and spices
• Finish: More tangy apple and rum
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “The Pumpkin Cider is everything you’d want in a boozy batch party drink during the autumn season. It tastes just as you’d expect—like a spiced apple cider with pumpkin. Its warmth is also cozy and would be absolutely delicious on a chilly fall day, maybe after a long walk on the trails looking at the changing leaves or after some trick-or-treating. Definitely worth making each year, I’d say!”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails by Nick Mautone.
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 2024-12-11.
Pumpkin Cider
The Pumpkin Cider is an autumn cocktail that was created by bar manager and author Nick Mautone and was first published in his book The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails. It mixes a brandy and rum base with apple cider, fresh pumpkin, and baking spices to create a warm batch drink that's great for fireside or holiday party sipping.
Ingredients
Method
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Preheat a large saucepan over medium heat.
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Add butter, sugar, and pumpkin cubes.
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Sauté pumpkin for 7-8 minutes until slightly caramelized on all sides.
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Stir in apple cider, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks.
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Reduce heat to simmer and cook until hot.
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Remove cinnamon sticks.
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Stir in apple brandy and rum.
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Ladle into mugs.
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Garnish with grated nutmeg.