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This Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Smash is the perfect cozy cocktail for long autumn and winter nights. Homemade spiced pumpkin syrup, mixed with warming bourbon, orange, and bitters. Then topped off with bubbly ginger beer for a very special fall cocktail. Perfect for the cold nights to come and Thanksgiving. Make a large batch to serve to family and friends over the holidays, this is so easy to create.
Oh, I’ve been waiting to share this cocktail for the longest time! It was one of the inspirations for creating my pumpkin smash candle with Snif, which is now completely sold out!! It has been so fun seeing you all receive your candles!
And while I know they are currently sold out, Snif listened to your comments and has managed to do a restock before Thanksgiving. You can pre-order the Pumpkin Smash candle here. I would snatch one up while you can because when these sell out, this will really be it!
Just like this cocktail, our candle is perfect for enjoying all November long and even into December!
As I mentioned, one of the inspirations for this candle’s scent, was this exact cocktail. To me, a warming whiskey cocktail in hand just screams slow November nights, Thanksgiving, and the holidays.
I wanted to create this cocktail with similar emotions to the Pumpkin Smash Candle. I knew there needed to be some whiskey, some spices, pumpkin, and maple to give off a light sweetness.
Now that we’ve officially launched the candle, I can share the cocktail recipe!! And just in time for the holiday season to really kick off!
The details
This cocktail is a little different for me. I’m focusing more on spices and much less on the fruit. I’m a fruity cocktail kind of person, but I’m switching things up. The key to this drink lies within the spiced maple pumpkin syrup. It’s a mix of pumpkin puree, sweet maple, and warming pumpkin pie spice…cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Everything simmers together and is then finished off with vanilla to add richness.
Shake this up with whiskey or your favorite bourbon, and a squeeze of orange juice. Then top it off with spicy, sweet, and bubbly ginger beer for an oh-so-delicious cocktail.
I’m giving you recipes for both a single drink and the punch version. So if you’re serving guests over the holidays, you’ll have the ideal warming cocktail to serve up!
As mentioned, this is the perfect drink to warm up to on cold nights – which are already here in New York! It’s officially chilly season, hats and gloves are needed.
I highly suggest making a batch of the spiced syrup this weekend. Then when friends and family randomly show up you can easily whip up delicious cocktails.
And you must complete the cozy vibes with the Pumpkin Smash candle. Nothing is more welcoming than a candle burning with a fall cocktail in hand. Well, I must add that a roaring fire would really complete the scene.
This one is perfect for both Thanksgiving and even looking ahead to Christmas too. Enjoy guys!!
Looking for other easy fall cocktails?? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this the perfect cozy cocktail for long autumn and winter nights, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Smash
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 232 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Spiced Pumpkin Syrup
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sea salt
Pumpkin Smash
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) spiced pumpkin syrup (recipe below)
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon or whiskey
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) orange or clementine juice
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced pumpkin syrup. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot. Boil 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin syrup, the bourbon/whiskey, orange juice, and orange bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Top off with ginger beer, if desired.
Notes
To Make a Mocktail: omit the bourbon and use 1 additional tablespoon orange juice, plus 1 tablespoon apple cider, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Punch
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 423 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups bourbon or whiskey
- 1/2 cup orange or clementine juice
- 6-8 dashes orange bitters
- 4 ginger beer for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced pumpkin syrup. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot. Boil 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool.2. In a punch bowl, combine the spiced pumpkin syrup, the bourbon, orange juice, and bitters. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Before serving, add ice, then pour the ginger beer over.
I made the mocktail version and my husband and I have been enjoying a glass every night after work. Really delicious.
Hey Mary Beth,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)
I was a little confused about the mocktail conversions for the punch, but whatever I did it must have been fine (lol) because these were delicious!! Fun little Halloween party drink
Hey Rebecca,
Awesome!! 🎃 So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Cheers! xx
I made this for my husband and I last night and it is DELICIOUS! Thanks for a fun fall cocktail, this will be great for the holidays too.
Hey Lorri,
Happy Friday!🎃 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out and sharing your review! xx
WOW! Just made this (no ginger beer) and it is SO good and easy to make. I’m impressed that it isn’t too sweet and tastes like the Fall holidays in a glass. Thank you!!!
Hi Carrie,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out tasty for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Need those glasses, where can I find them?
Thanks so much Jan!! Here’s the link for the glasses:
https://rwguild.com/collections/tabletop_glassware/products/hiroshima-haruya-rock-glass-crown?variant=31558729007207
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This recipe looks delicious. Do you have a favorite bourbon to use for this recipe?
Thanks so much Brittany!! I love Off Hours or 4 Roses bourbon. Let me know if you give the recipe a try! Cheers!! xT
I just made a triple batch of the syrup and am looking forward to enjoying a cocktail or 2 later this evening. I did use 1/2 cup of maple syrup with bourbon in it – oh yeah! This syrup might even be good for those that like sweet coffee. Thanks for another great drink.
Hey Jody,
Happy Monday!! 👻 I am so glad this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
I can’t get the recipe for the pumpkin syrup. When I click on the link, the message is page not found.
I thought the same thing then realized it’s step 1 in the recipe.
Hi Patty,
The pumpkin syrup is listed above with the drink ingredients, no need to click on a link:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hey girl! How would you measure single cocktails with this ingredient list!
Hi Christian,
The single cocktail recipe is also listed above:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
This turned out great! Delicious!
Hi Diane,
Happy Sunday!!🎃 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
This is the first time I ever tried a more complicated cocktail and it turned out great! I don’t have orange bitters or orange juice so I just used apple cider— a little different but turned out great.
Hey Jess,
Happy Sunday!!🎃 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Hey!! Looking forward to first snow here in Wyoming. Making this now. What is the sea salt for? How much?
Hi Betsy,
You are just going to use a pinch of sea salt in step 1. I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
Looks amazing! How long will the spiced pumpkin syrup last in the fridge do you think?
Thanks so much Kristen!! The syrup will be good for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Let me know if you give the recipe a try! Cheers! xx
This sounds so good. Pinned!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Cindy!! I hope you love the recipe:) xx
I don’t see the recipe for the spiced syrup pictured with the cinnamon sticks and star anise?
Hi Josh,
That is the first thing listed in the ingredient list “spiced pumpkin syrup”. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Where is the cinnamon and cardamom in the recipe?
Hey Krystal,
If you want to throw a cinnamon stick and star anise pod into the syrup go for it, but it’s not necessary:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
I tried this out several days ago and it was a hit with both my husband and me. As a result, I just made a double batch of the syrup so we can easily make more in the days to follow. While I really like ginger beer, my husband doesn’t. The cocktail is delicious both ways. Thanks for sharing your talent.
So glad to hear this Betty!! Thanks so much for making the recipe:) Cheers!
I’m confused by this too! The reel shows a syrup being made with cinnamon sticks and anise pods, but those things aren’t in the syrup recipe.
Hi Heidi,
The syrup is made in step 1, I added cinnamon sticks and star anise, but it’s not needed:) Let me know I you have any other questions! xx
Really want to try this but wondering what I should use instead of the orange bitters which I can’t find where I live. Thanks!
Hi Ines,
You should be okay with just skipping the orange bitters or using regular bitters if you have access to that! You could also order some online:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
Thx! I ended up ordering the orange bitters and it was definitely worth it. I love ginger beer so this is right up my alley but for those that don’t it was a,so delicious just with club soda to give it some fizz. I have also been using the pumpkin syrup in my coffee to make pumpkin spice lattes so win win!