• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Littlest Crumb
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
×

Home » Drinks & Cocktails » Cocktails » Vodka Cocktails

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Jump to Recipe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This pumpkin spice espresso martini is a delicious and indulgent cocktail that is perfect for the fall season. Made with a homemade pumpkin syrup, espresso, Kahlua, vodka and a dash of cream.

A pumpkin spice espresso martini garnished with three coffee beans, next to orange fall leaves and pumpkins.

Fall season is the best time for pumpkin flavored everything, such as this pumpkin rumchata martini or this iced chai tea pumpkin latte. 

For other holiday cocktails, try this peppermint espresso martini, this Baileys hot chocolate or this Baileys espresso martini.

For fruitier martinis, try this raspberry martini or this limoncello martini.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This creamy pumpkin espresso martini is the perfect drink to make during the fall. It’s festive and absolutely delicious – it tastes like a pumpkin latte!
  • The creamy, rich flavors make this the best dessert drink for after dinner.
  • All the pumpkin flavor comes from this homemade pumpkin syrup, so there are no artificial or chemically pumpkin flavors.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the pumpkin spice espresso martini.
  • Pumpkin Purée: Pumpkin purée gives the pumpkin syrup most of its flavor. Make sure to use pumpkin purée, and not pumpkin pie filling, which already has spices mixed into it.
  • Spices: The pumpkin syrup is infused with a combination of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. You can buy pumpkin pie spice pre-made or easily make your own batch by combining a few common spices.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is used to sweeten the pumpkin pie syrup. You can substitute this with granulated sugar if needed.
  • Water: Water gives the syrup the proper consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: A tad of vanilla extract gives the pumpkin syrup a bit of sweetness with a hint of vanilla.
  • Kahlua: Kahlua is a coffee flavored liqueur that gives this drink its strong espresso flavor. You can use another coffee liqueur, such as Tia Maria, as a substitution.
  • Vodka: Use a medium quality brand of vodka, such as Tito’s, Absolut or Smirnoff. If you have it, vanilla-flavored vodka works very well with this martini.
  • Espresso: Use high quality, freshly brewed espresso. As a substitution, use strongly brewed coffee or a good quality instant espresso.
  • Cream: Heavy cream makes this martini creamy and dessert-like. For a vegan option, replace this with coconut milk. If you prefer a stronger, non-creamy espresso martini, you can replace the cream with extra espresso.
Overhead view of a pumpkin spice espresso martini on a white marble table next to pumpkins and leaves.

Equipment

  • A saucepan to make the pumpkin simple syrup in.
  • A cocktail shaker to make the espresso martini in.
  • Coupe glasses or martini glasses to serve the cocktail in.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie syrup, cinnamon, water, and brown sugar to a saucepan. Heat on medium-high, bringing to a gentle simmer. Continue to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the syrup from the stove and stir in the vanilla extract.

A process photo illustrating step 1.

Step 2: Let the syrup cool for a few minutes, then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth.

A process photo illustrating step 2.

Step 3: Add the Kahlua, vodka, pumpkin syrup, heavy cream and espresso to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 10 seconds. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass.

A process photo illustrating step 3.

Expert Tips

  • Rim the glasses. Optionally, dip the rim of your martini glass in a small amount of pumpkin syrup and then roll it in a 1:1 combination of pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar.
  • Add some garnish. For garnish, add a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, and top with 3 coffee beans.
  • Chill the glasses. Freeze the martini glasses for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. This helps keep your drink ice cold.
  • Make a large batch of pumpkin syrup. You can make a large batch of pumpkin spice syrup ahead of time by doubling or tripling the syrup ingredients. This will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes you to prepare the martinis.
  • Store extra pumpkin syrup in the fridge. If you are prepping extra in advance, or just have leftovers, store the pumpkin simple syrup in an airtight, glass  container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Adjust the sweetness. This is quite a sweet dessert espresso martini. If you want a stronger tasting martini, double the amount of vodka and/or espresso.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use pumpkin liqueur instead of pumpkin syrup?

Yes. You can replace both the cream and pumpkin syrup with a pumpkin flavored cream liquor. You may need to adjust the quantities to taste.

Can I use a store bought pumpkin simple syrup?

Yes. However the pumpkin flavor from a store bought syrup may have a more artificial taste.

What are some other ways to use up leftover pumpkin syrup?

You can use pumpkin spice syrup to make pumpkin spice lattes, chai tea pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cold foam and more. See the full pumpkin spice syrup recipe for more ideas.

A pumpkin espresso martini garnished with three coffee beans, with orange leaves in the background.
Print

📖 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A pumpkin spice espresso martini garnished with three coffee beans, with fall leaves in the background.

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini


  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 martinis 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This pumpkin spice espresso martini is a delicious and indulgent cocktail that is the perfect dessert drink for this fall season.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
    • ½ cup pumpkin purée
    • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pumpkin Espresso Martini:
    • 3 oz Kahlua
    • 3 oz pumpkin spice syrup
    • 2 oz espresso, freshly brewed
    • 1 oz vodka
    • 1 oz heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Make the pumpkin spice syrup. Add the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, water, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium to high heat, whisking occasionally.
  2. Continue to heat, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the brown sugar has fully dissolved and the syrup is smooth. 
  3. Remove the pumpkin syrup from the stove and pass the mixture through a cheesecloth to strain out all the pumpkin purée. You should be left with a smooth, liquid syrup. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.
  4. Make the pumpkin espresso martini. Add the Kahlua, pumpkin spice syrup, vodka, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add in the espresso and shake immediately for 10 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted. Strain and serve.

Notes

  • Adjust the sweetness. This is quite a sweet dessert espresso martini. If you want a stronger tasting martini, double the amount of vodka and/or espresso.
  • Storing leftover pumpkin syrup: Store in a glass airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks. For ideas on how to use extra pumpkin syrup, see the full pumpkin syrup recipe.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 martini
  • Calories: 359
  • Sugar: 53.1g
  • Sodium: 20mg
  • Fat: 5.9g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.7g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 57.6g
  • Fiber: 1.8g
  • Protein: 1.1g
  • Cholesterol: 17mg

Keywords: christmas cocktails, holiday drinks

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Vodka Cocktails

  • Peppermint Espresso Martini
  • Grapefruit Martini
  • Lemon Basil Martini
  • Limoncello Martini

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

Trending

  • Billy Miner Pie Recipe
  • RumChata French Toast
  • Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
  • Iced Oat Milk Latte

Fall Favorites

  • Salted Caramel Macchiato
  • Oreo Hot Chocolate (Dunkin Donuts Copycat)
  • Strawberry Apple Crisp
  • Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Holiday Cocktails

  • Baileys Hot Chocolate
  • Pumpkin RumChata Martini
  • Bourbon Cherry Cocktail
  • Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail

Footer

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Newsletter

  • Subscribe for the latest recipes.

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 The Littlest Crumb