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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.
The perfect Thanksgiving cocktail for bourbon (and non bourbon) lovers. It’s so easy to make and your friends/family will be amazed with your bartender skills.
Hi Janice,
Thanks for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
I substituted the pumpkin puree for apple cider vinegar and it tasted awful.
Hi Phil! I definitely would not recommend using apple cider vinegar in this recipe, so sorry you didn’t enjoy this! xT
Just to be clear Phil, you gave this recipe a 1 star because YOU substituted vinegar in place of the pumpkin puree that the recipe calls for??? No one would ever think that vinegar would be a great substitute for pumpkin…
no shit phil
Made this perfection of a cocktail all fall long last year, and then somehow forgot about it… until yesterday. Since then, I’ve been scouring the internet, trying to remember enough about the drink to find your recipe again.
We used the pumpkin syrup to make many versions of this cocktail/mocktail. The best! In fact, I made up a few batches of the syrup, and kept it in the fridge – ready to go at a moment’s notice – through Christmas.
Thank you! I’m sitting at work – eager to get home and brew up a batch and jump into the taste of fall.
Thank you so so much Terry! xT
Hey There! Can you use any Bitter? The only one I can find in my area is “Angostura aromatic bitter”
I would not. Angostura bitters are more pungent. If you cannot find orange bitters, use a splash of OJ or omit. I have seen them from Walmart to liquor stores, but there has been a shortage of late.
Wow!! The syrup this cocktail starts with holds all the flavors of fall! LOVE it!! We made every version of this cocktail for a fall gathering and all loved their drinks!
Some had a virgin Pumpkin Smash , some had the cocktail as written in the recipe with the ginger beer, a couple opted to go without the ginger beer, and one shook up the syrup, vodka, and ginger beer for a Smash Mule. Mmmmm! A new fall favorite! Thank you!!!
Hey Terry,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday!🎄
Had friends over last night & this was my featured cocktail. Everyone LOVED them…shoulda made more syrup. This recipe is a definite keeper!
Hey Wendy,
Happy Sunday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I see star anise and cinnamon sticks in the pictures but not in the recipe?
Hi Veena,
I just used them as garnish, totally not necessary:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
I made a triple batch of the syrup and bottled it for Thursday. I made a “test” drink and it is SO good! I can’t wait to serve this to my whiskey loving family!
Hey Deborah,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for giving it a go! xT
I also made an extra batch of the syrup and will bottle it – any thoughts on how long the syrup will last?
Hi Katie,
You can keep the syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks:) xx
This recipe is amazing!!! I love it and will share
Hey Maurice,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!❄️