Fall semester: the season of tailgates, mid-terms and, of course, the return of pumpkin spice into all dishes and drinks. While the pumpkin spice latte might get you through exam time, it will not suffice as the necessary pick-me-up for post-test unwinding. Fret not-- here's your comprehensive list of pumpkin spice cocktails to boost morale and ~seasonally~ motivate you to complete that final exam.
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini
Unwind after a busy day or drink away your post-exam woes with this vegan PSL martini. What's brewing in this? Coconut milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, dark rum and coffee liqueur-- amongst other things.
While this recipe calls for coconut milk, any other dairy or non-dairy equivalent would work. So get cooking, get experimenting and get drinking.
2. Pumpkin Spice Vodka Soda
This seasonal vodka soda is a minimal-effort, foolproof method of getting pumpkin spice wasted. Pretty much all you need is pumpkin spice puree, vodka and soda water. If you're feeling fancy and festive, rim your glasses with sugar like the picture above.
3. Pumpkin Spice Margarita
While ice cold margaritas are often a summer specialty, this drink will have you dancing in an autumn mood in a tribute to the warmest months of the year. Moreover, if it gets cold outside, the buzz from this tequila-filled delight will surely keep you warm.
4. Spiked Pumpkin Spice Latte
The secret? One word, six letters: Kahlùa. This is the most direct adaptation of the Starbucks classic into its less wholesome counterpart. It will keep you awake, buzzed and equipped for a night of fun (or, a daytime tailgate). Essentially, this recipe just calls for making a pumpkin spice latte at home but using glorious Kahlùa instead of insane amounts of milk. And if you're really lazy, you could just spike the Starbucks PSL and save yourself the effort.
5. Pumpkin Old Fashioned
With a preparation time of only three minutes, this recipe should surely jump to the top of your pumpkin spice cocktail list. It's even easier to mix up than the original Old Fashioned! All you need to do is shake together bourbon, Grand Marnier, strained pumpkin puree and maple syrup. This is 100% a drink that can (and should) be made from the comfort of one's dorm room.
6. Pumpkin Pie Punch
Thinking of hosting a pumpkin spice party? Here is the only recipe you'll need for serving large-batch seasonal cocktails. With only three ingredients (cream soda, vodka and scoops of pumpkin ice cream), you'll knock your guests' socks off in more ways than one.
7. Pumpkin Spice Eggnog White Hot Chocolate
Christmas comes early (or, arguably, fall came late) with this pumpkin spice cocktail. Unwind on a cold autumn evening with this mixture of white hot chocolate, rum and eggnog heated in a saucepan. Bonus points if you drink it in bed while watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
8. Pumpkin Ale Ice Cream Float
All this fizzy delight entails is pumpkin beer (which always readily hits the shelves this time of year), vanilla ice cream and some cinnamon for the spice. It's the ideal tailgating and game-watching pumpkin spice cocktail. Make the friends drinking boring ~normal~ beers jealous when you whip out your seasonally themed pumpkin ale.
Lastly, for the adventurous souls out there...
9. Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots
A pumpkin Jell-O shot with its own edible container-- pie crust. While it takes much more preparation time than the other drinks on this list, this pumpkin pie-Jell-O shot hybrid is definitely worth it. Bring this treat to a party or potluck and your "dessert" will definitely be the hit.