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    Home • Beverages • Pumpkin Kentucky Mule

    Pumpkin Kentucky Mule

    Published: Oct 23, 2017 · Last Modified: Sep 19, 2022 by Beyond Mere Sustenance with 11 Comments· This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

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    This Pumpkin Kentucky Mule 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 is so easy to make, it may become your new fall favorite!

    Pumpkin Kentucky Mule from above in a rocks glass with a cinnamon stick across the top.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Halloween and Recipe Inspiration
    • 🍸 What Makes this a "Kentucky" Mule?
    • 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🧂 Useful Stuff
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Halloween and Recipe Inspiration

    I have a love/hate relationship with Halloween! Memories of 4 little boys crazed 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 Instant Pot Pumpkin Butter, 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."

    Pumpkin Kentucky Mule Eye Level View front view of 2 rocks glasses with cinnamon stick and pumpkin in the background.

    Two of my other amazing recipes to try are my Chicha Morada and a tasty homemade chamoy recipe.

    🍸 What Makes this a "Kentucky" Mule?

    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 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.

    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.

    📋 Ingredients You'll Need

    Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

    • pumpkin butter - You can use homemade pumpkin butter or commercially prepared pumpkin butter. Look for one with all natural ingredients!
    • bourbon - It's okay to go "middle shelf" or even "lower shelf" (don't use the gut-rot stuff on the bottom!) on the bourbon.
    • ginger beer - We like Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer, but if you're looking to reduce alcohol content, an excellent non-alcoholic choice is Bundaberg's. If we're really watching calories we get the Bundaberg's Diet Ginger Beer.
    • cardamom bitters - I keep Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters on hand. Other spice-based bitters (like cinnamon) could work too.
    • garnishes - candied ginger and/or cinnamon sticks

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Make the cocktail - To a cocktail shaker with ice: Add the pumpkin butter and bourbon. Shake vigorously. Strain into a "rocks glass" with a couple of "rocks." (I only put 2 cubes to save room for ginger beer).
    2. Finish the cocktail - Add the bitters, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with cinnamon stick and slivered candied ginger as desired. Enjoy!

    💭 Tips

    About the ice - If you like a lot of ice in your cocktails, you may prefer to make this in a highball glass. We use a generous rocks glass, place 1 large ice cube per drink, add the strained pumpkin butter and bourbon mixture, shake a few drops of bitters, and finish by filling the glass with ginger beer. It's the perfect amount for both my husband and me. You may want to play with it a bit, and that's okay!

    About ginger beer - Ginger beer and ginger ale are 2 VERY different ingredients! Ginger beer has a much stronger ginger flavor. I sometimes use the alcohol-free Bundaberg diet ginger beer, and sometimes I use the Crabbie's with alcohol.

    🧂 Useful Stuff

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

    Cardamom Cocktail Bitters
    Old Fashioned Glasses
    Gourmet Pumpkin Butter

    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!

    If you're carving a jack-o-lantern, and need inspiration for using the seeds, take a look at these pumpkin spiced pepitas or these candied pepitas. They make great healthyish snacks!

    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'!

    Birds Eye view of Pumpkin Kentucky Mule in 2 rocks glass on a cutting board with ginger and the cocktail shaker adjacent.
    Signature in red and green with chiles and limes.

    📖 Recipe

    Pumpkin Kentucky Mule Feature Image

    Pumpkin Kentucky Mule

    Tamara Andersen
    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!
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSave Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Beverages
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 300 kcal

    Useful Equipment

    • rocks glasses
    • cocktail shaker

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon pumpkin butter
    • 3 ounces 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.
    • Strain 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!

    Notes

    Calories are an approximation from MyFitnessPal.com.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Servings | Calories: 300kcal

    NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

    More Beverages - Cocktails, Mocktails, Smoothies

    • Whiskey and Hard Cider Cocktail
    • Tootsie Roll Cocktail
    • Tamarind Mezcal Mule
    • Pumpkin Sangria with Bourbon

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara @ Cake Over Steak says

      November 13, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      Now this sounds like my kind of drink! Thanks for this fun contribution. 😀

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        November 13, 2017 at 4:12 pm

        It was fun Sara! I am still amazed at all the creative contributions for pumpkin!

        Reply
    2. mjskitchen says

      October 29, 2017 at 8:06 pm

      The mule has been my go to drink this year so it's nice to have a holiday version. Looks delicious! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        October 29, 2017 at 9:00 pm

        Thanks MJ! My husband and I enjoyed them until my supply of pumpkin butter ran out... I need to make another batch!

        Reply
    3. Connie Witt says

      October 25, 2017 at 6:49 pm

      OH...MY...SOUL!!!! Yes, please!!!!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        October 25, 2017 at 8:30 pm

        Haha! Come see me darlin'! I'll make you one. Love you!

        Reply
    4. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      October 23, 2017 at 5:47 pm

      This sounds just delicious! I love mules and your creative spin sounds amazing, my friend! Anything with pumpkin butter gets my vote!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        October 24, 2017 at 11:47 am

        Thank you so much Annie! Yes, the pumpkin butter (especially when homemade) really brings out the pumpkin flavor, without adding much sweetness. It's very well-balanced!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 15 Fall Cocktails That Will Warm Your Soul | CRAZY LIFE WITH LITTLES - Lifestyle, Travel Motherhood Blog says:
      15 September, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      […] Pumpkin Kentucky Mule by Beyond Mere Sustenance […]

      Reply
    2. 25 Thanksgiving-Inspired Cocktails for the Holidays | A Food Lover's Kitchen says:
      10 September, 2019 at 5:51 am

      […] » See the Recipe […]

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    3. 20 Tasty Pumpkin Drink Recipes To Make This Fall | But First, Joy says:
      27 August, 2019 at 7:32 am

      […] 19. Pumpkin Kentucky Mule […]

      Reply

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