Pumpkin is trending, but you don't need us to tell you that since the fall flavor is pretty much ubiquitous on every menu from coffee chains to bars and restaurants. According to Coherent Market Insights, the pumpkin spice market is forecast to be worth $2.4 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 to 2031.

And the pumpkin takeover is happening earlier than ever. From May 15 to July 15, 2024, restaurant software solutions provider SpotOn saw 1,070 pumpkin items added to menus across the country, with a spike of 176 of those pumpkin items added just between July 7 and 13 alone.  

Pumpkin beverages are huge, and bars and restaurants are offering pumpkin beer, cocktails, and coffees and teas. "We are seeing restaurants getting even more creative with their pumpkin offerings this year, signaling restaurant operators' desire to attract consumers who have pulled back on spending in recent months," says SpotOn.

Speaking of spending, operators may notice that even pumpkin isn't safe from inflation, as a can of pumpkin puree rose 7.4% nationally from $9.01 in June 2023 to $9.68 in June 2024. The Midwest's pumpkin supply was especially hit hard with a 29% increase in the price of canned pumpkin from $8.09 to $10.46.

Despite the rise in price, consumers aren't giving up their love of pumpkin any time soon, so we've collected a few recipes you can add to your fall drink menus. 

 

Pumpkin Pie Cider

Ingredients:

2 oz. white cranberry juice

1 1/2 oz spiced rum

3 oz hot water

1 1/2 oz Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Garnish: Cinnamon stick, Nutmeg, Orange

Directions:

1. Fill serving glass full of hot water to warm glass.
2. Discard hot water and pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Pumpkin Pie Bushwacker Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 oz. Bushwacker Rum Cream

0.75 oz. Vanilla vodka

2 tbsp. Pumpkin puree

0.5 oz. Maple syrup

Whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, to garnish

For the rim:

Caramel sauce

Crushed graham crackers

Directions: 

1. Dip the rim of a martini glass into caramel sauce, then into crushed graham crackers. Place the glass in the freezer to chill.
2. In a shaker filled with ice, combine Bushwacker Rum Cream, vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup. Shake well to blend the flavors.
3. Strain the mixture into the chilled, rimmed martini glass.
4. Garnish with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Guardians of the Underworld

Ingredients:

2 oz Triple Dog Irish Whiskey

1 oz Pumpkin puree (unsweetened)

½ oz Black vanilla syrup

½ oz Fresh lemon juice

4 Dashes of Cinnamon or Aromatic Bitters

1 Pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

For the Black Vanilla Syrup:

1. Add 1 split vanilla bean or 2 TBSP of vanilla extract to 2 Cups of water and heat covered for about ten minutes. 
2. Remove the vanilla bean and stir. 
3. Add 3-4 drops of black food color, stir well, and allow the syrup to cool. 
4. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

For the cocktail:

1. Smoke an Old Fashioned glass while you are building your cocktail. 
2. Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and shake well. 
3. Strain into a smoked Old Fashioned glass over cracked or pebbled ice. 
4. Garnish with blackberries or spray lemon slices with black food coloring before dehydrating. 
5. Dust the top with cinnamon.

Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon

1/4 oz Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup

2 dashes bitters 

1 orange peel

Directions:

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed.
3. Stir vigorously to chill, and strain into serving glass with ice.
4. Add garnish and serve.

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