pumpkin patch bourbon smash
It’s only August 29 but I CAN’T HELP BRINGING ON THE PUMPKIN EARLY.
Sue me.
Summer be damned, it’s time for pumpkin. Coffee shops released their fall menus this week and that, to many, is the unofficial sign and symptom of a changing mental mindset from pool parties to fire fits, from peaches to pumpkins. Honestly, by June I’m pretty much over summer, but I’ll humor it until back to school has folded into the schedule and launched us into contemplations of flannel and football games.
I think a cocktail is a befitting beginning to pumpkin season, so let’s mix up a Pumpkin Patch Bourbon Smash. Classy and cozy, this easy cocktail is flavored with a homemade chai syrup and a bit of pure pumpkin puree, and warmed with bourbon and bitters.
I’d love one of these at hand whilst plopped on the couch, jazz playing in the background, and an easy-read book in my lap. Ahhh. Bliss.
Charmed by Chai
Our chai simple syrup is a blend of white sugar, water, and chai tea bags. Use your favorite brand of tea: I had a box of Trader Joes’ chai lying around and that worked beautifully for me.
Simmer the sugar and an equal amount of water on the stove until the granules dissolve. Move the pot off the heat, drop in the tea bags, and steep for 10-12 minutes. We need a good strong flavor. When the timer dings, gently squeeze any excess syrup from the bags back into the pot, and discard the used bags.
You will not need all of the syrup for this recipe. Anything leftover can be stored in the fridge, sealed, for up to 2 weeks.
Snag your favorite rocks glass and combine a bit of the syrup with bourbon, orange juice, pumpkin puree, and a dash of bitters. Stir, add some ice (I like crushed but cubes are fine!), and stir again. Top the glass with sparkling water for a bit of bubbly fun.
Garnish each glass with a mint leaf and a star anise, and maybe a cinnamon stick if you’d like. Enjoy this icy cold yet soul-warming delight even if the balmy nights indicate not the coming of September.
After all, fall is a state of mind more than a season, isn’t it?
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
More drinks for you, punkin:
Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
pumpkin patch bourbon smash
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 chai tea bags
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- sparkling water, to top
- fresh mint leaves and a star anise, to garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepot, simmer the sugar in 1 cup of water until dissolved, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and drop in the tea bags. Steep 10-12 minutes. Squeeze excess syrup from the used tea bags back into the pot and discard the bags.
- In a cocktail glass, combine the bourbon, orange juice, 1/2 oz chai syrup (or more to taste), pumpkin puree, and bitters. Stir to combine. Fill the glass with ice and stir again, then top with sparkling water and garnish with fresh mint and a star anise, as desired.
