This pumpkin pie martini is basically pumpkin pie in a cocktail glass. Made with pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka, and a pumpkin caramel syrup, it’s a pumpkin cocktail that will have you in the fall spirit in no time at all!
(This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Martinis was originally published in October 2010, but has been updated with new photos and content in 2018).
Listen up, all you pumpkin haters. It’s time for you to simmer down. See, pumpkin spice sentiment has come a long way since I launched this blog back in 2008.
Back then, pumpkin was just starting to become super trendy. And then for quite a few years it was all the rage to the point where it became a bit, dare I say, basic? Yup, I think many would say pumpkin spice loving became basic.
But guess what? The times have changed. Now, I can barely get through a day where I don’t see some sort of pumpkin hatred and vitriol out there. It’s to the point that pumpkin hatred has now become trendy and yes, basic. It’s almost like people enjoy bragging about how they don’t like pumpkin and want some sort of medal for it.
Please just let us pumpkin lovers live in peace with something simple that makes us happy for a short period of time each year. I’d rather be a lover than a hater any day. End rant (and seriously, if you don’t like pumpkin, that’s perfectly OK… But please just let me have it).
I’m happy to say I made a few improvements to the recipe from the first time I made it back in 2010. Now, this pumpkin martini is back and better than ever. And the photos don’t look like they were taken with a camera phone in the middle of the night (at least I hope they don’t. Please don’t tell me if you think they do).
Pumpkin Pie Martini Recipe
Like an espresso martini, the pumpkin pie martini is more of a dessert, or at least after dinner, martini. Though I did have to recipe test these quite a few times and certainly wasn’t opposed to enjoying them in the afternoon (all a part of the life of a blogger!).
They’re incredibly easy to make, but they do involve a pumpkin pie caramel syrup that you’ll want to make ahead of time so it can cool.
However, you can also buy a store-bought caramel and add pumpkin pie spice in (or make your own) and use that instead. It will be thicker than the syrup, but when shaken up with the other ingredients, it should blend in (just make sure it’s fully cooled to room temperature or it will harden when it hits the ice).
When you have your caramel syrup or store-bought caramel ready, just put it in a shaker along with the pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka, and some ice. Obviously, you’re gonna want a sugar/pumpkin pie spice rim on those martini glasses!
Strain the mixture into your martini glass and sprinkle some more pumpkin pie spice on top.
How to Make Caramel Syrup
I highly recommend you make this caramel syrup since I think it makes for a much yummier martini than using store-bought caramel. Making caramel can be a little bit finicky, but if you mess this syrup up, it’s pretty fixable.
To make the caramel syrup, you simply need to caramelize granulated sugar and then add warm water and pumpkin pie spice to it. Place sugar in medium saucepan set over medium heat. Without stirring, let sugar melt until it’s completely liquid and a light amber color.
Remove pan from heat and pour in the warm water. The mixture will sizzle and bubble… If the sugar stars to harden (I’ve heard this feedback from some and had it happen to me once, as well), return saucepan to heat and simmer until mixture is liquid again.
Pour syrup in jar or heat-proof bowl, mix in pumpkin pie spice, and let cool completely before using in cocktail.
You’ll definitely have enough syrup for quite a few cocktails and you may also be tempted to eat it with a spoon because it is ridiculous good.
But please, make sure you save some for the martinis!
I’m not even kidding when I say this martini tastes exactly like a pumpkin pie. The pumpkin puree gives it a little thickness, but it’s not too thick by any means. Next time I’m totally going to make little pie crust garnishes because yum.
This cocktail is packed with the flavors of fall and is the kind of drink that will totally hit the spot once the temperature falls.
Some people enjoy pumpkin throughout the whole year (after all, the puree is always available!), but I try to only indulge from September to Thanksgiving. Otherwise I fear I will go on overload. And I certainly don’t want to become a pumpkin hater!
Of course, this pumpkin pie martini is the kind of drink you likely only want to have one of. OK, maybe two. But it is pretty sweet. Just like pumpkin pie 🙂
I don’t even want to admit how many times I’ll probably make this from now until Thanksgiving. That is, when I’m not enjoying pumpkin beer. Can we talk about how many pumpkin beers are on the market now?? It’s absolutely insane. But I’m not complaining.
If you’re not a pumpkin fan, stay far far away from this cocktail. But just maybe you can work to unite the world in some small way and make this for a friend who does like pumpkin. You can tell them, “even though I don’t like pumpkin, I know you do and I want you to be happy.”
And then you can gleefully accept your pumpkin haters medal with pride.
What’s your favorite fall drink?
If you’re looking for more pumpkin recipes, check out my sour cream pumpkin pie bundt cake or my pumpkin spice linzer cookies. I’m also planning on making these Pumpkin Spiced White Russians from Casa de Crews as soon as the weather calls for it!
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Ingredients
- Pumpkin pie spice, for glass rim and cocktail garnish
- Granulated sugar, for glass rim
- 2 oz. vanilla vodka (you can also use regular vodka with 1 tsp vanilla extract added in)
- 3 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp Pumpkin Caramel Syrup recipe below (you can also use homemade or store-bought caramel with pumpkin pie spice mixed in)
- Ice
Pumpkin Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Pinch salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Mix pumpkin pie spice and sugar on a small plate. Moisten rim of glass (either with water or simple syrup) and roll in mixture to coat in pumpkin pie spice/sugar.
- In a shaker, combine the vodka, pumpkin pie puree, pumpkin caramel syrup (or caramel), and ice cubes. Shake well.
- Strain into prepared martini glass. Sprinkle more pumpkin pie spice over top.
Pumpkin Caramel Syrup
- Place sugar in medium saucepan set over medium heat. Without stirring, let sugar melt until it’s completely liquid and a light amber color.
- Remove pan from heat and pour in the warm water. The mixture will sizzle and bubble and some of the sugar may harden. if this happens, return saucepan to heat and simmer until mixture is liquid again.
- Pour syrup in jar or heat-proof bowl, mix in pumpkin pie spice, and let cool completely before using in cocktail.
Delicious!
What I really like about this is that it doesn’t involve any obscure and expensive liqueurs
Oh Great Pumpkin’s ghost, this looks delish, how about a dollop of whipped cream for garnish?
Dessert in a glass! Looks so pretty.
I’m not typically a cocktail drinker, but this looks amazing! I will definitely have to gather all of the necessary ingredients to make one (or a few) :).
This weekend, I will be sipping on mostly water – my husband and I are going hiking out in the Berkshires today! Oh, and I’m bringing a bottle of Kombucha because it’s totally necessary ;).
Enjoy the weekend!
what a great idea for a fall dinner party or cocktail hour! impressive that you held out til friday:-)
OMG! I’m sittin here getting ready for my long run and now I want that martini. Doesn’t seem like good pre-run fuel though! Great idea with the simple syrup. I will be making this tomorrow!
Anything with this much pumpkin pie goodness in it seems like the perfect way to start a Friday night. I’m all over this.
Umm YUM! Think I will be trying these tonight!
wow. totally digging that, looks fabulous!
Mmmm that sounds delicious and I’m not usually a big martini fan!
Love this drink recipe!
Mmm…sounds fun. I tried making a homemade pumpkin spice latte and the pumpkin just made it too thick tasting for me. But a vodka based drink might be totally different. I’ll be drinking red wine tonight. Simple, easy, yummy.
Super cool drink. Happy Halloween!
Nisrine
nothing says happy fall weekend like a delish pumpkin cocktail! way to be creative, sues!
Definitely going to try these this weekend. Celebrating halloween moving into a new apartment. Cocktails are a must!
Yummmm!! I love sweet, sweet martinis. I just got some pumpkin ice cream from Trader Joe’s – maybe I should make some pumpkin martinis and call it a meal 😉
Oooh, now this is my kind of pumpkin pie! Yum! I’ve actually been doing pomegranate martinis lately, but these look awesome!
Pumpkin pie martini? PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI?!?!?! This just made my LIFE. And, I may finally have found a way to get my mom DRUNK! WOOT WOOT!
I wish I had seen these last night! We made caramel apple martinis which were awesome but I do love me some pumpkin 🙂
this is, like, the PERFECT “eh, it’s noon on thanksgiving, let’s start drinking while we cook” drink. LOVE IT.
yummy!!! the perfect drink for the month of November!
What an interesting martini-It tastes just like pumpkin pie? Really? You know I love cocktails and I am always searching for a new one. This is a cool one. I gotta tell you, I am planning to up the vodka in this one. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this one with us!
Wish I had one of these right now – looks so yummy!
This sounds so good! I made pumpkin bellinis for a Halloween party this weekend. I found them super tasty, others find them weird. Sigh. I guess they just don’t understand the punkin’ love.
Laura
Now that Halloween is over I’m definitely making these for Thanksgiving!
This looks great! I have a bottle of vanilla vodka that I’ve been trying to use in new drinks – I recently saw a simple recipe for Shipyard Pumpkinhead with a shot of vanilla vodka in it. It’s really tasty!
Wow, this pumpkin martini is cool, sounds like great! You are great as Martha in my opinion.
Wow, I would never have thought of a pumpkin martini but this looks fabulous.
I’d love for you to submit one of your beautiful photos, and a link to your post, to my new baking photo gallery showcasing the beautiful baking, sweets and desserts, and of course cocktails.
AAAAAMAZING! I must try this immediately!
These look beautiful! I was going to try one similar to this with the addition of chocolate liquor 🙂
Heaven! This drink is right up my alley!
catcing up on some blog reading now that I’m home!! this looks delicious, l love a good pumpkin martini but have never made my own. sorry you guys didnt make it any further in the project. you shouldhave won! (i wonder who will…..)
I just made these. Delicious! I’m going to try to find another way to use up the rest of the caramel. That stuff is good!!
My only disappointment is that I found this recipe at 7am and now I want one! Can’t wait to try this, thank you!!
Success!! I tried another pumpkin martini recipe and gagged it was so bad…the one I made was not sweet at all and way too much booze! This one was perfect as is however for a pinch of creaminess that is reminicent of pumpkin pie I added a splash of cream….hey all the calories are already there…what’s a splash of cream…it really bumps it up!! Thank you for this recipe…the carmel pumkin pie syrup is really the shining star in this drink!!
WAIT! Make it easier! Instead of the carmelized sugar syrup….just a LITTTTLE bit of REAL maple syrup! OMGoodness!!! All else is the same. I also grated orange zest and added an orange twist…simply marvelous!
I thought the tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice was too much in the recipe. I like my drinks sweet, so I added half the amount of the pumpkin spice to the syrup and added more syrup to the drink
This looks like the perfect drink recipe for the upcoming Fall season!
OMG yaaassssss!! Pumpkin spice everything! Can’t wait to try this one!
I’ll never understand all the hate for pumpkin. I say PUMPKIN ALL THE THINGS! Including my martinis <3 This looks delightful and I can't wait to try it!!!