Pumpkins are a versatile fruit that can be used to make a wide variety of foods and beverages. While pumpkin is commonly associated with fall flavors like pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes, did you know that pumpkin can also be used to make alcoholic beverages? Alcoholic beverages made from pumpkin have become increasingly popular in recent years as people explore new and creative ways to use pumpkin beyond traditional baked goods.
Pumpkin Beer
One of the most common types of pumpkin alcohol is pumpkin beer. Pumpkin beers are usually amber or brown ales that are flavored with real pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice blend, and other fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The pumpkin provides a subtle squash-like sweetness while the spices add warming notes of cinnamon, clove, and ginger. Popular commercial pumpkin beers include:
- Pumpking Beer by Southern Tier Brewing Company
- Punkin Ale by Dogfish Head Brewery
- Ichabod Pumpkin Ale by New Holland Brewing Company
- Pumpkinhead Ale by Shipyard Brewing Company
Pumpkin beers are usually between 4-7% alcohol by volume. They have a malty, moderately sweet profile and often have a thick, creamy mouthfeel. Beyond commercial options, many homebrewers also enjoy crafting their own unique pumpkin ale recipes. Pumpkin puree adds fermentable sugars that can be converted to alcohol by brewer’s or ale yeast during the fermentation process.
Pumpkin Wine
In addition to beer, pumpkin can also be used as the base for wine. To make pumpkin wine, cooked and strained pumpkin is combined with water, sugar, acid, yeast, and fall spices. The sugar helps feed the yeast and convert to alcohol during fermentation. The resulting pumpkin wine has around 7-10% ABV. The flavor is mildly sweet and pumpkin-y, with notes of spice. Making pumpkin wine takes several months as the juice must fully ferment and then age in bottles, but it provides a unique, seasonal drinking experience.
Pumpkin Liqueur
Pumpkin liqueurs are distilled spirits that blend pumpkin with other fall flavors. They typically combine a neutral spirit like vodka or rum with real pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla and other ingredients. After distilling, they may be barrel-aged. Popular commercial pumpkin liqueurs include:
- Pumpkin Spice Liqueur by Arrowhead Distillery
- Pumpkin Liqueur by Blood Oath Whiskey
- Pumpkin Cordial Liqueur by Southern Tier Distillery
Pumpkin liqueurs range from around 15-30% ABV. They can be enjoyed on their own or used to make festive fall cocktails. The pumpkin provides a rich, velvety backbone that blends well with the fall spices.
Pumpkin Vodka
Another way to incorporate pumpkin into spirits is by infusing vodka. To make pumpkin vodka, high proof vodka is combined with fresh pumpkin meat and spices then aged for anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. This allows the flavor and aroma of the pumpkin to infuse into the vodka. The result is a flavorful sip with a creamy, earthy pumpkin taste and notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. You can infuse your own pumpkin vodka at home or try bottled options like:
- Pumpkin Spice Vodka by Prairie Organic Spirits
- Glorious Pumpkin Vodka by Stillhouse Spirits Co.
Pumpkin vodka is usually around 40% ABV. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or used in festive fall cocktails and martinis.
Other Pumpkin Spirits
In addition to the spirits above, some distilleries are getting creative and producing other unique pumpkin alcoholic beverages, including:
- Pumpkin Whiskey: Whiskeys aged in pumpkin spice flavored barrels to infuse fall flavors into the spirit.
- Pumpkin Rum: Rum distilled from fermented pumpkin and molasses and spiced with fall flavors.
- Pumpkin Shine: An unaged moonshine made from a pumpkin mash and fall spices.
These innovative pumpkin spirits offer a new way to experience familiar fall flavors in alcohol form. Their richness and spices complement autumn and the flavors of the harvest season.
Benefits of Using Pumpkin in Alcohol
There are several advantages to using real pumpkin in alcoholic beverages:
- Pumpkin provides a creamy, velvety mouthfeel and viscosity.
- It gives a subtle sweetness without being overly sugary.
- Pumpkin has a mild squash flavor that blends well with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and other spices.
- It adds nourishing vitamins and nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.
- Pumpkin is a natural product that aligns with seasonal fall flavors.
Additionally, the spices used in pumpkin alcohol like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger provide aromatic fall flavors and potential health benefits. Overall, pumpkin makes a tasty, natural addition to beer, wine, liqueurs, and other spirits.
Popular Cocktails Made with Pumpkin Alcohol
Pumpkin beer, wine, vodka, and liqueur can all be used to make delicious fall cocktail recipes, including:
Pumpkin Beer Cocktails
- Ichor – Pumpkin beer, dark rum, and apple cider
- Dark ‘n’ Stormy – Pumpkin beer and spiced rum
- Autumn Spritz – Pumpkin beer, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling water
Pumpkin Wine Cocktails
- Pumpkin Sangria – Red wine, pumpkin wine, brandy, fruit
- Pumpkin Pie Martini – Pumpkin wine, vodka, pumpkin liqueur, simple syrup
- Pumpkin Mimosa – Pumpkin wine and orange juice
Pumpkin Vodka Cocktails
- Pumpkin Mule – Pumpkin vodka, ginger beer, lime
- Pumpkin Martini – Pumpkin vodka, coffee liqueur, cream
- Spiced Pumpkin Margarita – Pumpkin vodka, triple sec, lime juice
Pumpkin Liqueur Cocktails
- Pumpkin Old Fashioned – Pumpkin liqueur, bourbon, bitters
- Pumpkin Alexander – Pumpkin liqueur, gin, cream
- Pumpkin Manhattan – Pumpkin liqueur, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth
The pumpkin flavors balance beautifully with classic cocktail components like citrus, syrups, cream, and other spirits.
How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Alcohol at Home
Looking to brew your own pumpkin creations at home? Here are some tips:
Pumpkin Beer
- Buy a pumpkin ale brewing kit or use a typical ale recipe adding pumpkin.
- Cook, puree, and strain fresh pumpkin to add during fermentation.
- Spice it up with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
- Ferment the pumpkin mash per kit or recipe instructions.
- Optional: add pumpkin flavors during secondary fermentation.
- Keg or bottle the finished beer. Age for 1-2 weeks before drinking.
Pumpkin Wine
- Simmer cubed pumpkin until soft, then puree and strain the flesh.
- Combine strained pumpkin with sugar, acid blend, yeast nutrient, and top up with water.
- Add wine yeast and ferment until dry.
- Transfer to carboy, top up, and age 3-6 months with occasional racking.
- Flavor with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, etc. to taste.
- Bottle and age another 6 months before drinking.
Pumpkin Vodka
- Bake a pie or sugar pumpkin, then scoop out the flesh.
- Combine pumpkin meat and your choice of spices in a jar.
- Add vodka, sealed, and leave to infuse 2 weeks or up to 2 months.
- Fine strain into bottles.
Be sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all equipment. Follow trusted recipes and proper fermentation guidelines for best results.
Where to Buy Pumpkin Alcohol
Some places where you can buy alcoholic beverages made with real pumpkin include:
- Liquor stores – Look for limited releases of pumpkin beers, liqueurs, and other spirits in the fall.
- Specialty beer and wine stores – Many carry selections of craft pumpkin ales and pumpkin wine.
- Farmers markets – Some vendors may sell locally made pumpkin wine or other pumpkin alcohol.
- Craft distilleries – Small batch distillers sometimes offer unique pumpkin liqueurs and spirits.
- Grocery stores – Larger chains may stock commercial pumpkin beers like Pumpking or Punkin Ale seasonally.
- Online shops – Websites offer wider selections of pumpkin alcohol, sometimes available year-round.
You may be able to find pumpkin alcohol from small local producers in your area. Look for it primarily during the autumn months when pumpkins are fresh.
Conclusion
Pumpkin can be used to make a diverse range of alcoholic beverages for autumn enjoyment. The subtly sweet squash flavors pair deliciously with warming fall spices. While pumpkin beer is most common, you can also find or even make pumpkin wine, vodka, whiskey, and liqueurs. Not only does pumpkin offer great taste, but it provides viscosity, nutrients, and aligns with the harvest season. Homebrewers can even craft their own pumpkin alcohol creations. So next time you want to celebrate fall flavors, consider sipping on a glass of pumpkin booze.