Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Put a pumpkin spice twist on a classic espresso martini! Think of a boozy pumpkin spice latte with vodka, espresso, a splash of milk, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Enjoy this cozy cocktail during the cooler months as a delicious fall pick me up.

This Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini is the perfect cocktail for when the weather gets cooler. A traditional espresso martini is given a spicy twist with the warm & cozy flavors of pumpkin pie!

It's basically a boozy pumpkin spice latte, so if you like those then you're in for a treat! The classic vodka, kahlúa, & espresso are also shaken with pumpkin syrup and a dash of cream for the perfect boozy pick-me-up. It has a creamy texture and a frothy top. I even include a recipe for a quick 5 minute homemade pumpkin sauce, or you can use store-bought.

Prepared in 3 minutes from 5 ingredients, this delicious pumpkin spice espresso martini is the perfect drink for when you need a holiday pick-me-up during the fall season! This recipe is gluten-free and easily dairy-free or vegan, so it's perfect to share with all of your friends and family. Enjoy in the fall for Thanksgiving & Halloween celebrations.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• What to Serve with a Pumpkin Espresso Martini
• Make Ahead & Storage
• Batching
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Drinks
• Recipe
• Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• A delicious fall drink. Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, & the fall season!
• So much fall flavour! Tastes like a boozy dirty pumpkin spice latte. You'll be warm & cozy from the inside, out!
• Uses common bar ingredients. The espresso martini is a classic cocktail. If you like them already, you definitely have most of the ingredients.
• Option for a homemade pumpkin sauce. Control the sugar and the ingredients when you make it at home. Or go for convenience and buy one!
• Made in 3 minutes. Just shake and enjoy!
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free, and easily dairy-free or vegan.

Want more fall spice? Try my chai espresso martini, apple pop tarts, pumpkin scones, gluten free apple fritters, or pumpkin spice tiramisu.

Ingredient Notes

Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this pumpkin spice espresso martini:

For the Pumpkin Sauce

• Pumpkin purée: From a can works great.
• Maple syrup & brown sugar: I like to use both sweeteners for the most delicious flavor. But if you only have one, just use that for both quantities!
• Pumpkin pie spice: A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
• Water
• Vanilla extract: Stir this in after cooking to preserve the flavor.

You can buy pre-mixed pumpkin spice or make your own with these ratios. For 4 tablespoon of pumpkin spice:

• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

This homemade pumpkin sauce is delicious and easily made in 5 minutes. If you want a simpler approach, you can buy a pumpkin sauce or pumpkin syrup at most grocery stores or online retailers. This Torani Pumpkin Sauce is very similar to the one Starbucks uses.

What's the difference between pumpkin sauce and pumpkin syrup?
Pumpkin sauce is thick. It often contains pumpkin purée and dairy from sweetened condensed milk. It produces a concentrated, strong pumpkin spice flavor. Pumpkin syrup is often thinner, runnier, and maybe clear. It likely doesn't contain any real pumpkin or dairy. Both will work in this recipe!

For the Espresso Martini

• Vodka: This is the perfect neutral flavour for an espresso martini.
• Pumpkin Sauce: Use the homemade recipe above or a store bought pumpkin sauce or pumpkin spice syrup.
• Fresh brewed shot of espresso: It must be fresh to achieve the nice foam on top!
• Kahlúa or another coffee liqueur.
• Milk or heavy cream: While not a traditional ingredient, I like the creamy latte taste a little milk gives this espresso martini. Ideally use whole milk or 2%. Use coconut cream or another dairy-free alternative if preferred.
• Ice: For shaking.
• Cinnamon powder and 3 coffee beans for garnish.

Substitutions

There are several ways to change up this cocktail. Here are some substitution suggestions:

• Change the spirit. Try whiskey, bourbon, gin, tequila, or your favourite spirit.
• Make it dairy-free and vegan. Use coconut cream, almond milk, or another dairy-free alternative to add creaminess. Ensure your pumpkin sauce is also dairy-free.
• Adjust sweetness. I don't include any simple syrup in this recipe because pumpkin sauce often already includes sugar (and so does my homemade version). If you like it sweeter, add some simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.

Make the Pumpkin Sauce

(1) Add all pumpkin sauce ingredients except the vanilla extract to a small saucepan and turn to medium low heat. Heat gently for 5 minutes until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

(2) Allow the pumpkin sauce to cool completely then pour into a jar and keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Make the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

(3) Add all of the espresso martini ingredients to a cocktail shaker.

(4) Close tightly and shake for 30-60 seconds until the outside is frosty.

(5) Remove the small cap of the shaker and/or strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and 3 coffee beans. Enjoy responsibly!

What to Serve with a Pumpkin Espresso Martini

This pumpkin espresso martini is the perfect cocktail for the fall. Enjoy at Thanksgiving or Halloween with all your friends and family. Heck, you may need it as a mid-meal pick-me-up! Here are some of my fall holiday faves:

Snacks

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones
• Pumpkin Banana Muffins
• Gluten-Free Baked Apple Fritters
• 14 Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas
• Gluten-Free Almond Biscotti
• Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread

Meals

• Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
• No Bean Chili
• Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
• KitchenAid Mixer Mashed Potatoes
• Roast Potatoes & Broccoli
• Gluten-Free No Knead Bread

Desserts

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
• Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu
• Gluten-Free & Vegan Oreo Truffles
• Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Millionaire Shortbread

Check out more fall recipes!

Make Ahead & Storage

Note that this cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. It should not be made ahead of time, nor stored for later.

Batching

Because they need to be shaken to achieve the beautiful foam on top, espresso martinis are tricky to batch. The most you can likely fit in your cocktail shaker is 2 drinks. Be patient if making for a crowd. 

Expert Tips

Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a successful espresso martini:

• Don't cook the homemade pumpkin sauce too hot for too long. Otherwise it may burn or become too thick.
• Use store-bought pumpkin sauce or syrup for simplicity.
• Use freshly machine-brewed (but cool) espresso for a foamy top. The crema on top of freshly brewed espresso is what contributes to the classic foam on top of an espresso martini. Instant coffee or cold brew will still give you the flavour, but not the foam.
• Add a splash of milk or cream for a pumpkin spice latte taste.
• Shake the cocktail extra hard for the beautiful foam. Until the shaker is frosty.
• Chill your coupe in the freezer for a few minutes for an extra cold drink.
• Pour the drink quickly, so the foam settles on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

This pumpkin spice espresso martini recipe is the perfect cozy cocktail for the cooler weather. It's a delicious mix of a strong espresso martini and a pumpkin pie. It's like a boozy pumpkin spice latte! Enjoy with all your friends and family during the fall holiday season!

More Drinks

Have you made this pumpkin spice espresso martini? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!

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