Drunken Jack-o’-lantern
Fall is finally here and that means pumpkins popping up around every corner. Thankfully pumpkins are delicious in all forms, especially when incorporated into a tasty cocktail! This drink highlights the nutty pumpkin flavor, touched by a hint of cinnamon and maple. The pumpkin flavor comes from pumpkin butter, which is typically made with pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices. I made mine using canned pumpkin puree via this easy recipe from Serious Eats. The good news is that you’ll have leftover pumpkin butter, which is amazing on toast and other pastries. Hope you’ll give this a try!
Blushing Jack-o’-lantern
- 2 oz. rye whiskey
- 1 oz. applejack
- 1 oz. pumpkin butter (easy recipe from Serious Eats)
- 0.5 oz. cinnamon simple syrup (click to see recipe)
- 0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Bar spoon
- Citrus press
- Jigger
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine mesh strainer
- Old fashioned glass, stored in the freezer if serving with large ice
- Round ice mold, stored in the freezer (can also use 2×2 inch square ice)
Directions
- Squeeze 0.5 ounces of lemon juice and add to the shaker
- Add the rye, applejack, cinnamon syrup, and pumpkin butter to the shaker
- Add 3-4 handfuls of ice into the container and seal the shaker
- Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds and the shaker is completely frosted
- Add the large ice to the glass
- Place a Hawthorne strainer on top of the shaker and double-strain the drink through a fine mesh strainer placed over the glass
- To garnish, add a sprig of rosemary
Cheers!