Pumpkin Cider

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

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.

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.

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.