Pour a Glass of Pure Fall Flavor: Pumpkin Spice-and-Brandy Cocktail

If you love a good PSL (even if it tastes a little different now) but are looking for something a little more evening-oriented, then this is the drink for you.

The secret? Homemade pumpkin syrup, which is made with actual pumpkin puree. You make a bunch in bulk, and then can keep it in the fridge until it's cocktail hour, then simply shake it up with the other ingredients.

The result? An elegant, delicious, spicy-sweet sipper that'll help everyone relax at a fall dinner party—or help you unwind after a long week. You deserve it!

Yields: 1 serving

Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Ingredients

For Pumpkin Syrup

• 1 c.

  packed light brown sugar

• 2 tsp.

  pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 c.

  Fresh Roasted Pumpkin puree (recipe here) or canned pumpkin puree

• 1/8 tsp.

  kosher salt

For Cocktail:

• 1

  lemon wedge, plus 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp.

  sugar

• 1/8

  pumpkin pie spice

• 1 1/2 oz.

  brandy

• 3/4 oz.

  orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)

• 3/4 oz.

  Pumpkin Syrup

Directions

1. Make Pumpkin Syrup: Combine sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium- high heat just until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to boil, 4 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat to low and whisk in pumpkin puree and salt until smooth. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

2. Make cocktail: Rub edge of a coupe glass with lemon wedge. Combine sugar and pumpkin pie spice on a small plate. Dip rim of glass in sugar mixture.

3. Combine brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice, Pumpkin Syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, 15 to 20 seconds. Strain into prepared glass. Serve immediately.

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