It’s Friday and I’ve come home to Florida for a friend’s wedding this weekend. It’s always good to be back with family — especially after a busy move to Arizona. My little brother teases me, calling me a “ditcher” because of the move. He joked in my birthday card before we left, “Happy Birthday, Sis. You’re a ditcher. See you in the year 2020.” Whether he’s joking or not, today we’ll spend the whole day together. I’m definitely not a ditcher.
To kick off the weekend, I mixed up a cozy fall cocktail I’m calling the Apple Pumpkintini. It marries tart apple cider with smooth pumpkin puree and a touch of vanilla vodka for warmth. The drink finishes with a cinnamon-sugar rim that adds crunch and a hint of spice with every sip. If you love pumpkin and apple flavors, this martini-style cocktail brings those autumn favorites together in a balanced, festive drink.
This Apple Pumpkintini is ideal for Thanksgiving, holiday parties, or any chilly afternoon when you want something seasonal and slightly indulgent. I use real pumpkin puree and a spiced apple cider to build a genuine fall flavor rather than relying on artificial extracts. The ginger ale gives a light effervescence that keeps the cocktail bright and refreshing instead of overly heavy.
Full disclosure: while photographing this drink I ended up making more than I needed. One became one and a half, and by 11:30 a.m. I had a slight headache — a reminder that cocktails at brunch or a photo shoot still count. Serve responsibly and enjoy this as a special treat for guests or a cozy moment for yourself.
Apple Pumpkintini
10 minutes
10 minutes
Celebrate the season with this apple and pumpkin martini. Made with real pumpkin puree, apple cider, vanilla vodka and a cinnamon-sugar rim, the Apple Pumpkintini is a festive and approachable cocktail for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 3 ounces apple cider (spiced cider works well)
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce ginger ale
- Cinnamon and sugar (for rimming the glass)
Instructions
- Combine a couple of tablespoons of sugar with about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a shallow dish. Rub a little apple cider around the rim of each martini glass and dip the rim into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat it evenly.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with 3–4 ice cubes. Add the pumpkin puree, apple cider, vanilla vodka and ginger ale. Shake well until the mixture is chilled and the pumpkin is incorporated.
- Strain or pour the cocktail into the prepared martini glasses. Serve immediately, garnished with a light dusting of cinnamon if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 2 | Serving Size: 1 drink
Amount per serving:
Calories: 97 Carbohydrates: 8 g Sugar: 7 g
Tips: For a lighter version, reduce the vodka slightly and increase the cider. Swap plain vodka for vanilla vodka to keep the warm, sweet vanilla note that complements pumpkin. If you prefer a less sweet rim, use only cinnamon or reduce the sugar in the rim mixture. This cocktail is simple to scale for a small gathering—just multiply the ingredients and mix in a pitcher, then stir in ginger ale right before serving to preserve the fizz.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just craving a seasonal treat, the Apple Pumpkintini brings familiar autumn flavors into a refined, shareable cocktail. Enjoy responsibly and savor the cozy combination of apple, pumpkin and warm spice.