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5.0 from 1 vote

Shake up the perfect fall cocktail with this Pumpkin Espresso Martini made with vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, espresso, and brown sugar simple syrup. Topped with pumpkin spice finishing sugar for a cozy, frothy finish.

The Espresso Martini has always been one of my favorite cocktails — smooth, rich, and just the right amount of kick to wrap up the night… or get the night started. But once fall hits, it’s only right to give it a seasonal twist. After more trial and error than I’d like to admit, I finally nailed down my own Pumpkin Espresso Martini, and trust me — this one’s it. It’s balanced, flavorful, and filled with those warm, pumpkin-spiced notes that hit just right when the weather cools off.

I start with vanilla vodka, which brings a soft sweetness that ties everything together without overpowering the other flavors. Then comes Kahlúa, that perfect blend of rum and coffee, and a touch of brown sugar simple syrup to round it out. You can buy a pre-made brown sugar simple syrup, but I also have a super easy recipe on my site — it’s simple, delicious, and really sets this espresso martini off.

A teaspoon of pumpkin puree and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice bring that unmistakable fall flavor to the mix — cozy, smooth, and perfectly balanced with the espresso and vanilla vodka. But here’s the key: the shake makes all the difference. Don’t just give it a light swirl. Fill your shaker with ice and really just shake the hell out of it until your hand is freezing cold. That’s what gives you that smooth, frothy top. The aggressive shake whips tiny air bubbles into the espresso and blends everything evenly, creating that velvety foam that every great espresso martini deserves.

We finish this cocktail with a light sprinkle of pumpkin spice finishing sugar over the foam. It adds a subtle sweetness, a little sparkle, and makes the whole drink look and taste incredible. Then, for the final touch, garnish with three coffee beans on top — a classic espresso martini detail that symbolizes health, wealth, and happiness.

Whether you’re making this for a dinner party, a cozy night in, or just to treat yourself after a long week — this Pumpkin Espresso Martini delivers. It’s bold, balanced, and the perfect mix of espresso, pumpkin, and brown sugar warmth.

Pumpkin Espresso Martini

Recipe by Caleb

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: CocktailDifficulty: Beginner

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

US Metric

1 1/2 oz 42.52 g vanilla vodka
1 1/2 oz 42.52 g Kahlúa rum coffee liqueur
1/2 oz 14.17 g brown sugar simple syrup (recipe)
1 tsp 4.93 ml pumpkin puree
1/8 tsp 0.22 g pumpkin pie spice
1.35 oz 38.27 g freshly brewed espresso
1/2 tsp 1/2 pumpkin spice finishing sugar (for garnish)
3 3 coffee beans (for garnish)

Directions

Brew your espresso first and let it cool slightly while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, brown sugar simple syrup, pumpkin purée, and pumpkin pie spice.
Pour in the espresso last.
Seal and shake vigorously until the shaker feels ice-cold — this helps create that signature frothy top.
Strain into a martini glass.
Finish with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice finishing sugar over the foam, and 3 coffee beans.