Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Name: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup packed dark brown sugar; ¼ cup pumpkin purée; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (preferably freshly grated); ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 ounces freshly brewed espresso; 2 ounces vodka; 1 ounce pumpkin spice simple syrup; ½ ounce Kahlua or coffee liqueur; Coffee beans (for garnish, optional)

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Skip the latte and enjoy your favorite fall flavor with this pumpkin spice espresso martini! Espresso, vodka, Kahlua and a homemade pumpkin spice syrup come together to make a caffeinated cocktail that’s perfect for sipping after Thanksgiving dinner with your favorite slice of pie. This is the perfect signature fall cocktail for pumpkin and coffee lovers alike.

A pumpkin spice espresso martini on a wooden coaster with fall-colored flowers around it and a vase to the right.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Variations and Substitutions
Expert Tips
Perfect Pairing
Get More Festive Fall Cocktails
📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Full of everyone’s favorite pumpkin spice in every sip.
Gives off an elegant vibe but is super simple to make.
Makes for the perfect after-dinner drink for any cozy night or fall occasion, especially Thanksgiving.

Related: For more signature Thanksgiving cocktails, you’ll also love this maple syrup whiskey sour, apple cider margarita and Thanksgiving mimosa.

Ingredients

Vodka: I recommend using a mid- or high-range vodka. Cheap vodka is just so harsh. For some inspiration, take a look at these best vodkas for cocktails.

Espresso: While I recommend espresso for the richest, most robust flavor with that signature creamy foam, you can substitute it for a strong coffee or cold brew if need be.

Pumpkin spice simple syrup: We use my homemade pumpkin syrup recipe here to put a fall twist on a classic espresso martini. I’ll review the steps for making it, but if you’d like a more detailed overview, check out my guide on how to make pumpkin spice syrup.

Kahlua: You can also use your favorite coffee liqueur if you prefer another brand. Homemade coffee liqueur works as well.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

Step 1: First, we need to make our pumpkin spice simple syrup. We start by bringing water, brown sugar, pumpkin purée and spices to a boil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. After the mixture boils, we turn off the heat, stir in vanilla extract and allow the pumpkin pie spices to steep. Now we strain the syrup over a fine-mesh sieve, and our pumpkin syrup is ready (photos 1-4).

A four-photo collage showing the process of making the homemade pumpkin spice simple syrup.

Shake the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Step 1: To make the drink, we first brew espresso (photo 5).

A black espresso machine brewing fresh espresso into a small white coffee mug on a brown wooden surface.

Step 2: We add the fresh espresso, vodka, pumpkin spice simple syrup and Kahlua to a cocktail shaker and place it in the freezer for a few minutes to help cool the hot espresso (photo 6).

A hand pouring a shot of freshly brewed espresso into a clear crystal cocktail shaker before mixing.

Step 3: Once the espresso has cooled, we add a handful of ice cubes, secure the top and shake vigorously (photo 7). I recommend shaking for at least 30 seconds to build that classic frothy topping.

Two hands vigorously shaking the cocktail shaker to mix the drink after chilling the ingredients.

Step 4: From here, we remove the cocktail shaker top and strain the drink into a martini glass (photo 8). A coupe glass works as well

A hand pouring the drink from the cocktail shaker into a martini glass on a brown wooden surface.

Step 5: For the finishing touch, we place a few coffee beans in the center of the frothy top for a fun garnish like so (photo 9). If you'd like to get extra festive, you can also add cinnamon sticks and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to the drinks.

A hand placing an espresso bean on top of the foam to garnish the drink.

Now take a sip and enjoy those fall spices in that perfect pumpkin espresso martini. And if you’d like more pumpkin spice cocktails, you’ll also love this pumpkin old fashioned, pumpkin margarita and pumpkin punch.

Recipe FAQs

Can you batch pumpkin espresso martinis to make in a pitcher?

Yes, you can make a batch of espresso martinis in a pitcher for easy entertaining. Simply stir together the ingredients without ice and store the pitcher covered in the refrigerator for a few hours.

When you’re ready to serve, pour two drinks at a time in a cocktail shaker and shake as originally directed. Even though we stir together the ingredients, we still want to shake the drink to give it the proper aeration and dilution. But, hey, all the measuring is done, so this really speeds up the mixing process.

Can you use store-bought pumpkin spice syrup?

I highly recommend preparing the homemade pumpkin spice syrup. Store-bought pumpkin syrup just isn’t as strongly flavored, and your cocktail is only as good as its ingredients.

How long will the syrup keep?

As long as you keep the pumpkin spice simple syrup in a sterile, airtight container, it should keep for two to three weeks. You can also freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray.

How else can you use any leftover pumpkin syrup?

You have so many options here. Besides making more pumpkin cocktails, you can use this syrup to make pumpkin spice lattes, pour on your pancakes, stir into oatmeal, spoon over ice cream or flavor your tea.

A close-up view of the pumpkin spice espresso martini on a wooden coaster with orange cloth underneath and colorful flowers around it.

Variations and Substitutions

Not a fan of vodka? Substitute it for dark rum, bourbon or reposado tequila for a different twist.
Use vanilla vodka instead of regular vodka for extra decadence.
Make it a mocktail by using a zero-proof vodka and skipping the coffee liqueur.
Add ½ ounce heavy cream to make it a pumpkin spice latte martini.
Create a sugared rim by running the rim of the glass in some extra pumpkin syrup and then swirling it in a mixture of sugar and espresso powder.

Expert Tips

Plan ahead to allow time to chill the espresso: If we add the ice immediately to the espresso, too much ice will melt. About five minutes in the freezer gives it enough time to cool down, especially if you’re using cold vodka and simple syrup.

Chill your martini glasses: Simply place your serving glass in the freezer for anywhere from five to 30 minutes and you have a perfectly chilled martini glass ready for sipping.

Try a mason jar if you don’t have a cocktail shaker: While I definitely recommend investing in a cocktail shaker if you enjoy making drinks, a mason jar will also work. Just make sure the lid is solid and fits well.

Use the correct shaking technique: To get enough force behind the shake to create the foam topping, hold the cocktail shaker at an angle and shake with two hands.

Make sure you use real pumpkin purée to make the syrup: Don’t mistake this for pumpkin pie filling. The two are very different products.

Add a foaming ingredient if you swap strong coffee for espresso: Espresso foams up with a hard shake just fine, but you won’t get that same frothy topping with coffee. Instead, you can add a fresh egg white or 2 tablespoons aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. These ingredients may sound weird, but they’re flavorless and a typical addition any time you order a fancy cocktail with a foam topping.

Keep in mind, you’ll just want to follow a dry shake and wet shake technique. Essentially, you first shake the ingredients without ice for 30 seconds, and then you shake the ingredients for one minute with ice. For a more detailed explanation, see my Boston sour recipe.

Perfect Pairing

Since this is the perfect cocktail for enjoying after dinner, we need a fall dessert to serve on the side. Naturally, anything with pumpkin will pair nicely, so try my maple pumpkin pie, pumpkin pound cake or caramel-stuffed pumpkin cupcakes. For something without spice, a slice of this buttermilk pie would be perfect.

The espresso also makes this drink great with brunch. Pair it with my pumpkin crullers, sweet potato muf fins or apple cinnamon rolls for the ultimate fall brunch.

With loads of coffee flavor and creamy texture, this pumpkin spice espresso martini recipe is just what you need for enjoying some serious fall vibes.

Cheers!

Looking down on a pumpkin spice espresso martini with fall flowers placed around it on orange cloth.

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