Spiced pumpkin martini's? Yes, please!
We've reached the end of Sober October- woohoo! Well done to anyone who achieved it, who tried it, who did a semi-sober, or who just took the opportunity to look at their relationship with alcohol.
Either way, we tried this recipe as both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version, and with or without whipped cream. So the final choices are really down to you, but we promise each version is truly scrumptious!
These "martinis" are made with a delicious blend of spiced pumpkin spices, pumpkin purée and rum. So warming, so creamy, and just perfect for the wintery weather.
You can use a variety of options for the pumpkin purée depending on time constraints and what you have available.
The recipe we have created calls for pumpkin purée from the supermarket. You add your own pumpkin spices to the mix, so can play around with dominant flavours. We went cinnamon heavy and loved it.
An easier option is to use Re'al Spiced Pumpkin purée, which can go straight in without the use of any additional spices. This will add about 6g of sugar per serve.
Our favourite option is to create your own pumpkin purée. It's the perfect activity for Halloween weekend once you've carved your pumpkins. See here for our pumpkin purée recipe, and don't forget to roast the seeds too- and keep them for any autumnal salads.
What you need:
- 75ml good quality spiced rum (we love Two Drifters) or Lyres Dark Cane Spirit
- 2 tbs Pumpkin Purée
- 25ml Maple Syrup
- ¼ tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pumpkin spices; a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and all-spice
- Optional whipped cream (this vegan version is good, from most supermarkets) and organic cocoa to dust.
Method:
Depending on which pumpkin purée you use, create a spiced version by stirring in your cinnamon, grated nutmeg, ground cloves and all-spice to taste, and mix in thoroughly.
Add the rum/cane spirit, pumpkin puée, vanilla extract and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker (or a jam jar with a lid) and shake hard with ice for a good 20 seconds.
Double strain into a chilled martini glass. (Double straining simply adds a second, finer strainer to the process, catching all the stuff that would otherwise slip through a larger Hawthorne strainer, that we have available to buy here).
Add a garnish of ground cinnamon dust and a cinnamon stick.
For an extra special treat add to a short glass and top with a squirt of cream. Dust with cinnamon and cocoa powder, and serve with a spoon.
Happy Halloween folks!