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Well I’ve been on quite the pumpkin kick recently, wouldn’t you agree? First the crostata. Then the whoopie pies. And now this Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz. It seems like each fall I develop an obsession for a different seasonal fruit or vegetable. Last year was figs. The year before, root vegetables (particularly parsnips). Do you ever find yourself doing the same thing? This year, I can partially attribute my pumpkin obsession to a pantry full of organic pumpkin puree. I stocked up a month ago thinking there would be some sort of pumpkin shortage this year. I’m thinking the shortage never really happened because I’ve seen plenty of pumpkins (whole and canned) around.
This Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz is a seasonal blend of pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka, cider and ginger beer. The cocktail tastes very similar to pumpkin pie; however, it’s not overly sweet. The ginger beer lends a bit of a bite to the drink and counters the heft of the pumpkin puree, resulting in a very enjoyable mouthfeel. A perfect cocktail to enjoy before Thanksgiving dinner! Continue reading for the recipe.
I used leftover, homemade pumpkin puree for the drinks pictured above, but you could certainly used canned. And yes… I am alluding to another pumpkin recipe coming down the line 🙂
Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. pumpkin puree, canned or homemade*
- 1 1/2 oz. vanilla vodka
- 2 oz. apple cider
- 1 1/2 oz. ginger beer
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka and apple cider. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice and top off with ginger beer.
Notes
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Eliot says
I have seen sooooo many pumpkin recipes from everyone this season. I love it!
Ann P says
Hey there! I just found your blog today, fellow San Diegan food lover! Your photos are just plain gorgeous and the recipes sound UH-MAZE-ING. I’m excited to keep on reading and gain some konfidence, especially since I’m almost a beginner at cooking/baking, and currently trying to learn as much as I can!
Also, I am determined to make this drink for the weekend! I have a bit of pumpkin left over from another recipe, and this post came at the most opportune time 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Ann!!! Welcome to the Kitchen Konfidence family 🙂
Are you a member of the San Diego Food Blogger’s Facebook page?
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Pumpkin with vodka AND beer…now you’re talking.
Just saw your whoopie pies on Tasteologie. Congrats!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie 🙂
carey says
This looks and sounds amazing. (I had to take a minute to collect myself before writing a comment—I was so excited by the idea of a pumpkin cocktail that my first reaction was to type out about 50 exclamation points.) Well done!
Brandon Matzek says
HA!!! Thanks Carey 🙂
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
OH yeah! Bring it!
Laura (the first mess) says
What a fantastic combo for a cocktail. I might try it out with bourbon in place of the vodka and a teeny splash of vanilla extract to bring it back in. Can’t wait 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
That sounds like a great idea. Let me know how it turns out!
The Aisle Style says
MMMMMMmmm This looks so good!
Baker Street says
Pumpkin, apple, ginger and vanilla! Excellent pairing of flavors! I would love a glass or two right now! 🙂
I’m hosting a squash blog hop this month. Come and share your recipe with us: http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/4496187-pumpkin-swirl-chocolate-brownies
Peggy says
I don’t think I could ever get tired of seeing pumpkin recipes! This one sounds rather unique – and can’t wait to try it =)
Bana says
Hi,
Sadly, I need some clarification. Because Americans and English have different products for the same words.. is the cider mentioned alcholic hard cider or regular American apple cider? and is the ginger beer alcoholic or non.
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Bana, both the cider and ginger beer are non alcoholic.
julia says
thanks, i was wondering the same thing! definitely making this in october!
xo julesinflats.com
Ashleigh @ simplehonestreal.com says
That looks AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing.
Sandra says
Very different Brandon and I’m anxious to try it. Your drink recipes are always great.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Sandra!
Emma says
I’m just the same as you – get fixated on one seasonal fruit or veg and just go nuts on it for weeks! I’ve never seen a pumpkin-based drink before, and now I’m wondering why – this combo sound amazing!
Beth Michelle says
I think a pumpkin kick isnt the worse thing that could happen 🙂 Either is a fig kick, I was on that last year and would try to cook and bake with figs pretty much on a daily basis.
This drink sounds heavenly! So interesting and different. I love all the flavors going on!
Juli A says
This looks so tasty!! Had to share on my holiday cocktail roundup. Thanks for the inspiration! http://blog.inspirationbug.com/2011/12/09/cocktail-holiday-cheer-in-a-glass/
Marissa says
This sounds great, but I’m not a drinker… substitute for the vodka?
Brandon Matzek says
That’s a great question! I would add vanilla simple syrup to taste. If you add too much, squeeze in some lemon to balance the flavors.
Ashley says
Would this work without the alcohol & vodka?
Brandon Matzek says
You would lose the vanilla flavor if you omit the vodka. Instead maybe try vanilla simple syrup with a little lemon?
Bridget says
Is there something else that you could use beside ginger beer? I have Celiac Disease, so I can’t have beer. And I’m allergic to ginger, haha
Brandon Matzek says
You could try ginger ale, but the ginger flavor won’t be as strong. Ginger is one of the main flavorings here so if you switch it out, you’ll be making a different drink 😛
4virtu says
We love your recipe and featured it in our Tasty Tuesday – Welcome Fall post on 4virtu.com – Happy fall!
Brandon Matzek says
Thank you!
Amy says
Hi! I stumbled across your recipe on Pinterest and it sounds delish! Call me naive or inexperienced… but are you referring to sparkling apple cider or just regular? And I’ve never even heard of ginger beer… can I just buy it at a typical grocery store? Thanks so much!
Brandon Matzek says
Regular apple cider is fine. Grocery stores should have ginger beer. I know Trader Joe’s does!
Courtney says
Would it work if I substituted club soda for ginger beer? And/or apple vodka in place of vanilla-flavored? Just thinking of what I have on hand already…
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Courtney, you could make those substitutions, but your version wouldn’t really taste this cocktail. I would just test it out and see what happens! Enjoy. And please share results 🙂
Kirsten says
Thanks for the recipe! I used this along with apple cider recipes to make a homemade all natural version 🙂
1 5lb pumpkin, seeded, cleaned, and chopped
½ gallon flash heated pure apple cider (or raw apple juice)
3 cinnamon sticks
½ tbsp whole allspice
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 whole nutmeg
½ ginger root, chopped
1 orange, juiced
½ cup brown sugar
Combine pumpkin, cider, and spices in crockpot. Cook on low for 6+ hours, mashing once soft. Pour mixture through fine strainer, squeeze strained pulp through cheesecloth and discard. Add brown sugar and fresh orange juice, stir and refrigerate. Combine 1 part vanilla vodka, 2 parts chilled pumpkin cider (from a pumpkin keg!), and 3 parts club soda for a delicious early fall cocktail!
Meredith says
I’d love to make a batch of this for Thanksgiving but am concerned about the pumpkin purée settling at the bottom. How will it be if I just mix all the ingredients in a pitcher instead of a cocktail shaker and straining it in the one drink quantities?
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Meredith! The only problem with making a big batch of this is that the ginger beer will lose it’s fizz if it sits for too long. So I would recommend mixing up the puree, vodka and cider in advance (no need to strain), then add the ginger beer to each individual glass right before serving. Enjoy!!
Jill Johnson says
Why would a strainer not be needed if you made it in a batch? Would the puree become a liquid form?
Brandon Matzek says
Ah ha! Ok so the straining I’m talking about in the recipe is just from the cocktail shaker. And the purpose is just to remove the ice in the shaker (not the puree). So if you were to make a big batch, you could just stir all the ingredients together (besides the ginger beer), pour into glasses filled with ice and top off each with ginger beer. You’ll lose a little of the dilution that you get with shaking with ice, but the cocktail should still be tasty. Does that clear things up? Thanks!