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A Pumpkin Kentucky Mule with Ginger and Spice is “autumn in a glass”… Pumpkin butter (homemade or purchased), bourbon, ginger beer, and cardamom bitters get garnished with a cinnamon stick and candied ginger. This simple cocktail may become your new fall favorite!
I have a love/hate relationship with Halloween! Memories of 4 little boys crazy with sugar, the incessant barking of our dogs at the doorbell, running out of candy because we lived in a somewhat affluent neighborhood and were part of a “circuit” of vehicles and trick or treaters… but THE FUN. Back in the day, I loved to sew, and sew I did. Our 4 boys always had the award-winning handmade costumes – Peter Pan, Roman soldiers, every type of animal. My tradition was always to make a pot of homemade soup or stew, and my renowned pumpkin pie. We LOVED meeting the children at the door, though we knew that candy would soon result in a sugar high at another house! What fun!
In the spirit of Halloweens past, I created this Pumpkin Kentucky Mule with Ginger and Spice. After I made a large batch of Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Butter with Ginger and More Ginger, I had to find ways to use it. 😆 I couldn’t have it “go bad” in the fridge, so we’ve had a few. My pumpkin butter recipe focuses on pumpkin and ginger rather than “pumpkin pie spices.” I am not a fan of pumpkin recipes with noticeably absent pumpkin flavor. Those spices pack a punch, and can overpower the pumpkin. I found the pumpkin butter provides exactly the right amount of sweetness and pumpkin flavor with just a hint of spice. A few shakes of cardamom bitters and a cinnamon stick complement rather than overpower the key flavors.
Wondering why “Kentucky” mule? Bourbon of course. A “Moscow” mule contains vodka; a “Kentucky” mule contains bourbon. Bourbon and pumpkin are made for each other. I think you’re going to love this cocktail (unless you hate cocktails, but how can that be?). If you have neither the time nor the inclination to make your own pumpkin butter, use a commercially prepared pumpkin butter that focuses on pumpkin rather than spice. The ginger beer used to top off your mule will provide the ginger flavor. Feel free to use a non-alcoholic or alcoholic ginger beer. We love Crabbies Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer.
With Halloween just 8 days away, you may need additional inspiration to create a fun and festive time for family and/or friends. I’ve got you covered! Check out this amazing Virtual Pumpkin Party. My blogging bud Sara at Cake Over Steak organized this #virtualpumpkinparty features nearly 100 blogs and an array of sweet and savory pumpkin recipes. What are you waiting for? Time’s a wastin’!
Pumpkin Kentucky Mule with Ginger and Spice
A Pumpkin Kentucky Mule with Ginger and Spice is "autumn in a glass"... Pumpkin butter (homemade or purchased), bourbon, ginger beer, and cardamom bitters get garnished with a cinnamon stick and candied ginger. This simple cocktail may become your new fall favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp pumpkin butter
- 2 shots bourbon
- 4 shakes cardamom bitters
- ginger beer
- candied ginger garnish
- cinnamon sticks garnish
Instructions
To a cocktail shaker with ice: Add the pumpkin butter and bourbon. Shake vigorously.
Pour into a "rocks glass" with a couple of "rocks." (I only put 2 cubes to save room for ginger beer).
Add the bitters, then top with ginger beer.
Garnish with cinnamon stick and slivered candied ginger as desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
If you like a lot of ice in your cocktails, you may prefer to make this in a highball glass. We place 2 ice cubes per drink, add the strained pumpkin butter and bourbon mixture, add the bitters, and finish filling the glass with ginger beer. That's the perfect amount for both my husband and me. You may want to play with it a bit, and that's okay!
Calories are an approximation based on 100 calories per shot of bourbon.
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