Celebrate fall with this delicious Pumpkin Spice Martini… made with just 5 ingredients and packed with pumpkin spice flavor!
There’s something about a martini that always feels a little bit fancy. It’s the drink you order at a nice dinner or cocktail party or ladies’ night out… and you can’t help but feel fancy drinking it.
Whether it’s an Appletini or a Lemon Meringue Martini or a good old Dirty Martini, there’s a flavor for everyone. And this Pumpkin Spice Martini is THE flavor of the season!
Made with an apple cider reduction, pumpkin pie spice, and two types of bitters, it has a deliciously warm fall flavor profile that takes “pumpkin spice” to the next level. Perfect for anytime you need to be fancy… or just want to pretend!
what you’ll love about this recipe
This martini has a rich depth of flavor due to the pumpkin pie spice + apple cider reduction it starts with. Not only does reducing the cider thicken it slightly, but it also intensifies the flavor. The end result is a delicious drink made with simple ingredients that feels even fancier than it is!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Apple cider – Apple cider is the base of this martini in the form of a reduction. I used 1 cup of apple cider, boiled and reduced to 1/4 cup. PRO TIP: use unfiltered apple juice in place of apple cider.
Pumpkin pie spice – I added 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice to the apple cider to give it all those delicious pumpkin pie flavors. Feel free to use store bought or homemade.
Vodka – I added 3 ounces of vodka to the apple cider reduction. Tito’s is always my favorite, and as a bonus, it’s widely available and affordable. Feel free to use any brand of vodka you prefer.
Bitters – I used a combination of chocolate bitters and orange bitters to round out the flavors in this cocktail. Both varieties can be found at your local liquor store.
Kosher salt – Finally, a dash of kosher salt brings out all the amazing flavors in this martini. Wondering what I consider a dash? I used 10 granules, to be exact.
how to make a pumpkin spice martini
Make the apple cider reduction. In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider and pumpkin pie spice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low boil to reduce to 1/4 cup. Set aside to cool.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the reduced cider, vodka, bitters and salt. Shake well.
Strain. Strain into a coupe glass and enjoy!
best vodka to use
My go-to vodka for most recipes is Tito’s. I like the fact that it’s an affordable vodka that tastes great and adds a smooth sweetness to martinis and other vodka-based drinks. Other popular choices are Grey Goose, Absolut, and Ketel One.
more fall cocktails you’ll love
- Apple Brandy Old Fashioned
- Cranberry Margarita
- Spiked Apple Cider
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
- Apple Pie Sangria
- Cranberry Mimosa
- Pumpkin Spice Mudslide
- Pear Prosecco Spritzer
Pumpkin Spice Martini
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider reduced to 1/4 cup
- 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1 dash chocolate bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider and pumpkin pie spice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low boil to reduce to 1/4 cup. Set aside to cool.
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the reduced cider, vodka, bitters and salt. Shake well.
- Strain into a coupe glass; garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.
Donna Jo says
Good Thanksgiving/Fall cocktail. I do prefer it on the rocks though. I’ll be making these for Thanksgiving!