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Celebrate the spooky season with a cocktail fit for Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King himself! This Pumpkin King’s Bourbon Smash blends the bold, warming flavors of bourbon with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and the brightness of fresh citrus. It’s a drink that captures the essence of fall, Halloween, and the spooky charm of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether you're hosting a Halloween gathering or just indulging in a festive night at home, this cocktail is sure to bring a little magic to your evening.

Pumpkin King’s Bourbon Smash: The Nightmare Before Christmas

A Drink Inspired by Halloween Town:

Inspired by Jack Skellington’s atmospheric home, Halloween Town and all things eerie and autumnal, this bourbon smash is the perfect tribute to the Pumpkin King. The richness of whiskey pairs beautifully with pumpkin simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, giving you a drink that’s equal parts cozy and refreshing. With each sip, you'll taste the essence of autumn—like taking a stroll through Halloween Town itself.

Why You’ll Love this Pumpkin Bourbon Smash:

This cocktail strikes a perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and spicy. The pumpkin adds a festive touch without overwhelming the drink, while the bourbon brings warmth and depth. Topped with a sprig of fresh thyme or a cinnamon stick for a garnish, it’s a cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Gathering Ingredients:

Pumpkin Puree. Be sure to use 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling!
Sugar. To make the simple syrup, you will use a combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Vanilla.
Pumpkin Pie Spice. If you do not have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can quickly mix up your own by combining one part cinnamon with an equal amount of ginger, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.
Bourbon. You can use your favorite bourbon or whiskey for this recipe!
Lemon Juice. You will want to use fresh lemon juice.
Apple Cider. If you do not have apple cider, apple juice can be used in its place.
Maple Syrup.
Orange Bitters. You can also used spiced bitters for this recipe or lemon bitters.
Orange Sanding Sugar. To decorate your drinking glass!
Cinnamon Sticks & Star Anise. You can use whole cinnamon sticks and star anise to garnish your finished cocktail or mocktail.

How to Make The Pumpkin Simple Syrup:

Step One: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking to dissolve the sugar completely.

Step Two: Once boiling, add the pumpkin puree and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer the syrup for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Then, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, whisking until well combined, another minute.

Step Three: Pour the syrup into a small bottle or mason jar. If you prefer the syrup to have a smoother texture, pour it through a fine mesh sieve. Leave the syrup to cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

How to Make The Pumpkin Bourbon Smash:

Step One: In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the pumpkin puree and pumpkin simple syrup by gently stirring with a cocktail spoon.

Step Two: Add the bourbon, lemon juice, apple cider, maple syrup, bitters, and cinnamon. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 to 30 seconds.

Step Three: Before filling, dip the outside rim of your glass in a bit of water. Then, roll the outer rim in orange sanding sugar. Fill your serving glasses with crushed ice and strain the drink over it.

Step Four: Garnish the drinks with a cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon rind, or mint sprig. Serve the drink immediately.

Tips for Making the Perfect Pumpkin King’s Whiskey Smash:

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup: While store-bought pumpkin spice syrup works in a pinch, making your own brings a richer, more authentic flavor. Find the recipe for my Pumpkin Simple Syrup below!
Choose Your Whiskey Wisely: Bourbon adds a sweet, caramel-like note to this cocktail, while rye whiskey brings a bit of spice. Choose whichever suits your palate, but both work beautifully with the warm flavors of pumpkin and lemon.
Fresh Lemon Juice is Key: For the brightest, freshest flavor, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It cuts through the richness of the whiskey and pumpkin, adding a tangy twist that balances the cocktail.
Pumpkin Muddle: Muddling the pumpkin puree with the syrup before adding the liquid ingredients is helps to release the flavors of the pumpkin, ensuring it blends perfectly into the drink.

Final Thoughts:

Channel your inner Pumpkin King and embrace the flavors of the season with this Pumpkin King’s Bourbon Smash. The blend of whiskey and pumpkin spice, with a refreshing hint of mint and citrus, makes this drink ideal for Halloween parties, fall gatherings, or simply sipping while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. Serve it in rocks glasses with garnishes that give a nod to Halloween Town, and your guests will feel like they’ve been transported straight to Jack’s realm.

Yield: 2

Author: Kayla Lobermeier

Pumpkin King's Bourbon Smash (+ Mocktail)

Prep time: 20 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

Pumpkin Simple Syrup:

1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (68 g) 100% pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Pumpkin Bourbon Smash Cocktail:

2 tbsp (30 g) pumpkin puree
2 tbsp (30 ml) pumpkin simple syrup
1/4 cup (60 ml) bourbon
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider
2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup
Dash of orange bitters
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Crushed ice, enough to fill a cocktail shaker and serving glasses
Cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon rind, or fresh mint for garnish

Mocktail Version:

2 tbsp (30 g) pumpkin puree
2 tbsp (30 ml) pumpkin simple syrup
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider
2 tbsp (30 ml) cream soda or ginger beer
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup
Dash of orange bitters, optional
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Crushed ice, enough to fill a cocktail shaker and serving glasses
Cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon rind, or fresh mint for garnish

Instructions

To make the Pumpkin Simple Syrup:

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking to dissolve the sugar completely.
Once boiling, add the pumpkin puree and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer the syrup for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Then, remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, whisking until well combined, another minute.
Pour the syrup into a small bottle or mason jar. If you prefer the syrup to have a smoother texture, pour it through a fine mesh sieve. Leave the syrup to cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
To store the syrup, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for about 5 to 7 days.

To make the Pumpkin Bourbon Smash Cocktail:

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the pumpkin puree and pumpkin simple syrup by gently stirring with a cocktail spoon.
Add the bourbon, lemon juice, apple cider, maple syrup, bitters, and cinnamon. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 to 30 seconds.
Fill your serving glasses with crushed ice and strain the drink over it.
Garnish the drinks with a cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon rind, or mint sprig. Serve the drink immediately.

To make the Mocktail Version:

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the pumpkin puree and pumpkin simple syrup by gently stirring with a cocktail spoon.
Add the lemon juice, apple cider, cream soda, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, bitters, and cinnamon. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 to 30 seconds.
Fill your serving glasses with crushed ice and strain the drink over it.
Garnish the drinks with a cinnamon stick, star anise, lemon rind, or mint sprig. Serve the drink immediately.