You've heard of pumpkin spice lattes. But what about pumpkin spice hot chocolate? Or horchata? Or eggnog? Read on for nine of the greatest pumpkin drinks to try (and impress your guests with) this winter.
Key Takeaways
- Pumpkin spice is the perfect ingredient to make a cozy drink!
- Pumpkin pie spice is made from a combination of spices, usually including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
- It's delicious in hot drinks, like hot chocolate, coffee, and apple cider.
- Pumpkin spice also works great in cold drinks, like eggnog, smoothies, and shrubs.
- It can also bring a unique twist to cocktails, including punch.
See Related: What Are Cocoa Nibs and What Can I Do With Them?
9 Best Pumpkin Spice Drinks
When the air starts getting cold and the sun starts setting earlier, few things are as comforting as a delicious seasonal drink. Among the classic fall recipes, few are as famous as those using pumpkin pie spice.
Pumpkins aren't just delicious, either. They’re packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and provide several potential health benefits.¹
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Blend
The exact recipe for pumpkin spice varies, but it's usually built around a few core spices.² These often include:
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Cloves
The combination of these aromatic, warm spices is what gives pumpkin spice, or pumpkin pie spice, its characteristic taste and smell. Some recipes also add other spices, like mace, black pepper, or cardamom.
Some people also swear by their own homemade blend of spices.³
Whatever your preference, pumpkin spice isn't just for pumpkin pie or baked goods. It's also a delicious ingredient in all kinds of drinks, many of them perfect for the holiday season.
#1. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
What's the only thing better than one classic warming drink? How about two tasty drinks, combined into one delicious recipe?
That's exactly what you get with pumpkin spice hot chocolate. This mixture combines cocoa powder and pumpkin spice for a warming, comforting drink that blends the best of both worlds.
As if that wasn't good enough, you also get the benefits of cocoa. It's a great source of antioxidants, important molecules that help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.⁴
Research has found that the antioxidants contained in cocoa may help support the immune system, brain function, mood, and much more.⁵
You can, of course, come up with your own mix of hot chocolate and pumpkin spice. Simply add a dash of pumpkin spice into one of our heavenly hot cocoa blends, such as our organic, 10-calorie-per-serving hot cocoa or a mix without any added sugar.
Alternatively, grab a pumpkin spice drink mix for an expert blend of spices and high-quality cocoa.
Don't forget to top with whipped cream for a classic hot chocolate vibe.
#2. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Did you know that roughly 20% of Americans say they enjoy pumpkin spice lattes? That's tens of millions of people!⁶
The pumpkin spice latte is one of the most popular winter and fall drinks for a reason. In fact, for many people it's the defining taste of the season.
As with pumpkin spice hot chocolate, you can grab a premade mixture or craft your own at home.
Best Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Making this iconic drink at home is actually easier than you might think. All you need is pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice (or pumpkin spice syrup), milk, and coffee.
There are three steps to making a pumpkin spice latte. First, mix and heat your pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Most recipes call for some sugar here, but you could use whatever sweetener you like.
Once your ingredients are mixed and heated (and your sugar, if you used it, is dissolved), you can move onto the next step.
Step two is simple: Add milk to your pumpkin mix and wait until it's heated, too. Some recipes call for a little vanilla extract here, which is an excellent addition.
Once everything is heated and combined, carefully put it into a mason jar or equivalent. Make sure the lid is on tight, because you're about to shake. Keep shaking until the mixture is nice and foamy.
Third, add brewed coffee to your mix.
That's it! Now you can enjoy your homemade pumpkin spice latte.
#3. Pumpkin Apple Cider
Few drinks are as fall-coded as apple cider. It's delicious warm or cold, as-is or mixed with a little something extra. And what better pairing than pumpkin spice?
Many popular recipes for pumpkin spice apple cider keep things simple. Really, all you need to do is add some pumpkin (and pumpkin pie spice) to your apple cider and mix everything together.⁷
If you want a little freshness, try adding some fresh apple and orange (and even ginger, if you want a kick) to your pumpkin apple cider mix while heating.⁸
That said, you can also go for something a little more homemade, should that appeal. If you have a slow cooker, making homemade pumpkin apple cider is easy.⁹
Simply combine pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and lemon juice, whisking well to make sure everything is combined. Place chopped or sliced apples into your slow cooker, then pour over the pumpkin mixture and cover with water.
Cook the mixture low and slow for several hours. Then mash everything up and cook for a little longer. To separate out your delicious cider, use a strainer or a cheesecloth.
#4. Pumpkin Eggnog
Here's another classic seasonal drink with a pumpkin twist. Eggnog is incredibly popular; Americans make their way through over one billion servings of it every year!¹⁰
Like with many of the drinks on this list, you could add pumpkin pie spice to your favorite brand of eggnog. But pumpkin spice eggnog is actually pretty easy to make, and the homemade version is sure to impress guests.
A blender is the secret tool behind simple pumpkin eggnog.¹¹ First, blend two large eggs. Then add some sugar and blend a little more.
Now add the rest of your ingredients: pumpkin spice, pumpkin puree, milk, and heavy cream. Blend everything together, then put it in the fridge until it's nice and cold.
A little dust of nutmeg makes the perfect garnish. And if you want something a little stronger, add a dash of brandy or rum for a spiked pumpkin eggnog.
What if you don't have a blender? Not to worry. You can make pumpkin eggnog in a saucepan, too.¹²
To do that, mix all your ingredients except the eggs in a saucepan over medium heat. Then slowly drizzle that mixture into a bowl of whisked eggs, stirring the whole time. This heats the eggs very slowly; eventually, you'll put the whole mixture back into the saucepan and make sure it reaches 160ºF.
Remember, though, that eating raw or undercooked eggs can be risky, especially if they are unpasteurized.¹³
#5. Pumpkin Puree Smoothie
What if you want something really... well... pumpkin-y? This might be the drink for you.
Pumpkin might not rank among the most popular smoothie ingredients, but it's actually a great addition. For a simple pumpkin smoothie, combine some pumpkin puree with frozen bananas, milk, pumpkin pie spice, and a little maple syrup for sweetness.
Of course, you can make a dairy-free version by substituting the milk for your favorite dairy alternative, like almond milk. For a smoothie that's higher in protein, swap in some Greek yogurt.¹⁴
Bonus: How to Make Thick Traditional Hot Chocolate
#6. Pumpkin Spice Cocktail
As we mentioned, you can add your favorite liquor to many of the above recipes for a spiked version of your pumpkin drink of choice. But what about a specialty pumpkin-flavored cocktail?
Making this unique drink is easier than you might think. All you need to do is combine vodka, pumpkin puree, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cream soda into a cocktail glass. Mix everything together and then fill the glass with ice.¹⁵
That's it! Feel free to garnish to your liking. A cinnamon stick or star anise is a great option.
#7. Pumpkin Horchata
Horchata is incredibly popular throughout Latin America and in Spain. It's growing in popularity throughout the US, too, and is now one of the most popular drink flavors in the country.¹⁶
There are many different versions of horchata. The Mexican version, which is one of the most widely known, combines rice milk, sugar, and cinnamon into a sweet, milky concoction.¹⁷
It's also delicious when combined with pumpkin pie spice. Making pumpkin horchata is a little more involved than some of the other options on this list, especially if you want to make it from scratch. You can find an example recipe here.
#8. Pumpkin Pie Punch
The holiday season is a classic time to gather together with loved ones. And large gatherings require large volumes of drink. Enter the trusty punch.
Now, punch has a somewhat unfair reputation as a drink best suited for student parties.¹⁸ But it's actually a fantastic option for any party, especially when it's given a pumpkin twist.
Making pumpkin punch is easy. Combine apple cider, orange juice, ginger ale, spiced rum (replace with more juice if you don't want alcohol), pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. Mix it well and chill before serving.¹⁹
Punch, by its nature, is customizable. So feel free to adapt that recipe however you see fit.
#9. Pumpkin Shrubs
Pumpkin shrubs is a deceptively simple drink with a remarkably complex taste profile. The secret lies in patience. You'll want to make this one ahead of time, if you're planning on serving it to guests.
To make pumpkin shrubs, combine real pumpkin puree with sugar, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Let that mixture settle in the fridge for a couple days.
Once all the ingredients have really gotten to know each other, strain out the solids with a cheesecloth.²⁰ That's it!
Conclusion
Who knew pumpkin was such a versatile ingredient? Whether it's a delicious cup of hot chocolate, mug of pumpkin spice latte, or bowl of boozy pumpkin punch, pumpkin (and pumpkin spice) adds a seasonal twist to all kinds of classic drinks.
Keep Reading: Can You Drink Hot Chocolate When Pregnant?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Mixes Well With Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice is an excellent addition to both sweet and savory things. It's traditionally used in pumpkin pie, of course, but that's far from the only recipe it can help take to the next level.
When it comes to drinks, try adding some pumpkin spice to your favorite hot cocoa mix or whip up a pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin spice is also a delicious addition to various seasonal drinks, like eggnog, or cocktails.
Which Pumpkin Spice Drink Is Best?
That depends on what you like! If you're a fan of hot drinks, pumpkin spice hot chocolate is hard to beat. Make it iced if you prefer to keep things cool.
What Alcohol Pairs With Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice is versatile, so it can pair well with all kinds of alcohols. That said, it's most often combined with whiskey, rum, or bourbon.
Sources
- 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Pumpkin
- How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice at Home
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (Recipe) - Sally's Baking
- Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease - PMC
- Impact of cocoa flavanols on human health - ScienceDirect , Cocoa Powder Benefits: Nutrition and Health , Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial - PubMed
- One in five Americans enjoy drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes | Ipsos
- Pumpkin Apple Cider
- Pumpkin Cider Recipe - The Gracious Pantry
- Crock Pot Pumpkin Apple Cider • The Crumby Kitchen
- HOW MANY EGGNOGS PEOPLE WILL DRINK IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON | Rock 101 | Lend A Helping Can
- Pumpkin Eggnog (made in the blender!) | Kitchen Gidget
- Pumpkin Spice Eggnog - Tastes Better From Scratch
- Is It Ever Safe to Eat Raw Eggs?
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (High-Protein)
- Pumpkin Spice Cocktail - The Social Sipper
- We all scream for ice cream! Horchata and unicorn are among top trending flavors of the year. - Good Morning America
- What is Horchata? The Ingredients and Origin of the Milky Drink - Thrillist
- Punch Isn’t a Messy House Party Drink Anymore
- Thanksgiving Punch - An Easy Sparkling Pumpkin Punch Recipe
- How to Make Pumpkin Shrubs
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