Dishing Up the Dirt

Pumpkin Spice Whisky Cocktails

Nothing warms me up after a cold and muddy day at the farm quite like a whisky cocktail! We are doing a lot of clean up work in the fields and it’s been stormy and cold. Thank god for these farm fresh cocktails to cozy up with at the end of a rough day in the dirt. And hell yeah for these cool whisky tumblers that make every drink taste a little more special.

As you all know, one of my favorite ways to wind down in the evenings is to spend a little quality time in my kitchen. I usually pour myself a drink, turn on some music and totally relax while preparing dinner. This is a ritual I look forward to every single day. So naturally, when the gals from A Kitchen Box  reached out to me to see if I could share some kitchen inspiration for their October boxes I jumped at the chance!  These gals speak my language. Their mission is to keep food lovers and home cooks inspired in the kitchen. Each subscription is a themed box that arrives in the mail once a month and includes something to see, taste, listen, and try. Yours truly was the guest recipe developer for their October box, appropriately named the “Farm to Table” box.

The box includes 3 farm to table recipes, a Tumbleweed Farm beet postcard, oregon honey, northwest farro, a paring knife, music download, and last but not least a flour sack towel. And guess what? This box of inspiration can belong to one lucky DUTD reader. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what your favorite autumn recipe is to prepare when the weather is grey and cold. Taylor is going to pick a winner at random- I’ll total up the number of comments and he’ll pick the number.  Also, the lovely gals from A Kitchen Box are offering DUTD readers $10 off A Kitchen Box subscription. At check out enter code: dishingupthedirt in the coupon field. With the holidays coming this would make a rad gift!

Speaking of the holidays it’s almost Halloween! I’m not much of a candy eater but I do love a festive cocktail. I’m not pretending to be a mixologist but these cocktails turned out pretty awesome. I’ve been experimenting with making simple syrups with honey and maple syrup and this version is delicious. Play around with the measurements and add more or less whisky to each cocktail. I hope you all enjoy these drinks as much as we do. Cheers!

Pumpkin Spice Whisky Cocktails

Prep Time: 10 mins.    Cook Time: 10 mins.    Serves: 4-6

For the simple syrup:
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 1 inch chunk of fresh ginger, peeled
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • small pinch of ground cloves
  • small pinch of ground allspice
For the Cocktails:
  • whisky tumblers
  • whisky
  • ice cubes
  • soda water
  • sugar & cinnamon for the glass rims

Preparation

  1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat bring all the ingredients for the simple syrup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Taste test and adjust seasonings if necessary. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Discard the ginger root.
  2. Mix sugar and cinnamon on a plate.
  3. Wet the rim of each cocktail glass.  Dip each glass into the sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  4. For each cocktail combine 1-2 tablespoons of the simple syrup with 1 1/2 ounces of whisky and top with soda water. Stir vigorously (a little separation may happen) until well combine. Add a few ice cubes and enjoy!

Notes

*Use this recipe as a guide. *Adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary.


Leave a Reply

71 thoughts on “Pumpkin Spice Whisky Cocktails

  1. Isadora says:

    Soup is by far my favorite cold weather comfort food! I especially love thick soups like split pea, lentil, or a creamy sweet potato soup! The idea behind these boxes is so cool! I especially love that it includes something to listen to, how neat! Your box looks awesome, Andrea 🙂

    1. Sally says:

      Chili and corn bread are one of my favorite cold weather meals!

  2. Shoshana says:

    There’s nothing like a big bowl of soup chock full of veggies on a rainy day!

  3. Debra says:

    Pumpkin Enchiladas is my favorite fall dish! Love the blog, everything looks so delicious and healthy!

  4. gail says:

    Soup, soup, soup is my favorite fall fare. Recently, I have loved the recipe with acorn squash stuffed with onions mushrooms and chickpeas you posted. Thank you!

  5. liz says:

    Risotto!

  6. Dana says:

    warm soup and homemade rustic bread!

  7. Caryn says:

    Just like all the others, SOUP!! And anything related to squash but my very favorite is delicata. So sweet!!!!

  8. Catherine Dunkerley says:

    One of my favorite fall dishes is a fall vegetable curry, made with cauliflower, chick peas, sweet potato, and fire roasted tomatoes. The spices really warm you up! I serve it over brown or basamati rice and put some cashews, chopped cilantro, and a little dollop of greek yogurt on top!

  9. Rachel says:

    Your box sounds awesome!

    My submission: Any type of squash, roasted to perfection in the oven! We are loving your roasted acorn squash with mushroom/chickpea stuffing in my house 🙂

  10. Angela says:

    I love pumpkin desserts of all kinds, and I am particularly partial to your butternut squash and sage soup!!!!

  11. Sue Peoples says:

    I love to make black bean chili on fall days. This is our first fall in the PNW and I am loving the weather and the chance to cook more hearty dishes.

  12. Julia says:

    Heck yes, pumpkin spice cocktails on repeat! It’s been so chilly here and I’ve been craving stiff drinks to warm my belly. I love this fall-inspired bevvie and will definitely be trying it out. This is the first time I’ve heard of A Kitchen Box – I’ll have to check it out!!

  13. Joan says:

    I love to bake. So anything with apples or pumpkin.

  14. My absolute favorite fall./winter dish is a curried cauliflower, chickpea, brussel sprout chili! I usually throw in some black beans to make this warm dish even more substantial, and occasionally some potatoes (any kind). Delish served over wild rice or farro. Inspiration for this dish has most definitely come from you, Andrea!

  15. Maddy says:

    I’m an Oregon native living in Montana and my favorite fall treats always start with something from the farmer’s market. It used to be my mom’s apple pie with Oregon apples and this year it’s fresh pressed cider from apples gleaned from people’s yards to keep the bears out! Nothing like a delicious whiskey cider that also prevents habituation of wild animals!

  16. AmberS says:

    Pretty much like everyone else said, I also love to make a hot soup. And homemade bread. All this week I’ve been craving veggies so I’ve been sauteing sweet potatoes, onion, kale, and hot peppers and throwing them into a corn tortilla with cheddar, tomatoes, and avocado. Like every single day so far. 🙂

  17. Amber Marra says:

    I love, love, LOVE parsnips when they’re in season. It’s like cooking with a super carrot. On a cool fall day I can slice up some parsnips, toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them for a bit and eat them as is for a snack. I also love them in stews or just roasted with some kale and a dressing for dinner.

  18. I love roasted delicata any which way. My two favorites lately are: roasted with honey and chili flakes -or-roasted with chanterelles, shallots and sage. And, I love your site, thanks so much for all you do!

  19. Meg says:

    I’ve started making a harvest chili with the last of our CSA peppers and fresh tomatoes. Saute onion and garlic. Add a mix of peppers (been using poblano and Hungarian hot wax), and 10 fresh tomatoes, spices, and your favorite beans and simmer away (2 hour minimum.) On my last batch I used white beans and added some cubed sweet potato and it was divine!

  20. Nicola Preston says:

    My favorite fall breakfast when it’s cold and yucky out is homemade pumpkin bread with butter or cream cheese on it and a big cup of coffee!

    1. Andrea says:

      Hey Nicola! You won the Kitchen Box giveaway. Congrats girl! Will you please email me your mailing address and we’ll send you your gift. You can email me at andrea@dishingupthedirtstaging.com

  21. Melissa Stanley says:

    I have to admit, I love a beef or elk stew during this season. I usually add whatever fresh vegetables and herbs I have and enjoy. I just made one with beets and yams, thyme and rosemary, which may be my favorite yet!

    1. Andrea says:

      My brother makes an awesome elk stew! I don’t eat a lot of meat but I can’t resist his. He lives in MT and hunts in the fall so he has local meat all winter. I always enjoy a big bowl of it when we visit him every winter! Your version sounds fantastic!

  22. Sandy Metzler says:

    I love fall meals and one of my favorites is polenta and melted teleme cheese with a wild mushroom ragout on top. I love the earthiness of Autumn.

  23. Kris says:

    Fall reminds me of brisk winds, cold weather, a fire burning in the fireplace and a hot, thick soup. We don’t get much in the way of cold weather in southern CA, but I still make soup! My favorite soup recipe is quite a process to make, but worth the wait. Roasted Butternut Squash and Wild Rice. Mmmmmm, good.

  24. Lauren says:

    Just like everyone else here, I love a slowly simmering soup on the stove on long, grey, chilly days. I also like to make my aunt’s recipe for raw apple cake. It was my mom’s favorite and I really miss her this time of year. Thanks for the giveaway Andrea!

  25. Marie Masters says:

    I love making crockpot vegan chili when it gets cold. I love that it’s ready right when I walk in the door from work.

  26. paj says:

    chili or apple crisp

  27. Heidi says:

    Good food, good music, and pretty recipe cards what a brilliant idea/ My favorite dreary weather meal is a 3 bean vegetarian chili with a drizzle of your cashew cream. I also like a good hot toddy, your pumpkin whisky recipe will definitely replace my usual rum based one.

  28. Jaime says:

    Spicy butternut squash chili…so comforting! This drink is perfect, can’t wait to try it! And beautiful photos!

  29. Holly says:

    Like many other folks, I can’t wait for fall to roll around each year so I can put the soup on. Curried butternut squash, potato broccoli, and lentil kale are some of my favorites.

  30. Lizzie says:

    Hi Andrea! I’ve been a silent fan for awhile and love reading about your life as a farmer and trying your recipes! Yum! So thank you! I do have a question/request for you…..I have been wanting to cook more local, seasonal dishes but don’t know much about what fruits and veggies are in season when, etc. If you haven’t already done a post about this, would you consider it? I realise that every post you do features what’s being harvested on the farm but I would love a list of food for every season if you have the time. Cheers!

    Also, I lived in London for five years and have to say that I fell in love with Shepherds Pie, Cornish Pasties and Indian food while there. Give me a hot curry any day and I am a happy camper! Especially if it’s Autumnal out!

  31. Katherine says:

    Somehow I thought my answer of “butternut squash soup” might be original, but of course, with the colder weather, warm soups are perfect. Every year, I have to make butternut squash soup just once. But this year, I went to a farm and picked up lots of winter squashes. Im thinking about trying red kuru soup or delicate squash soup, with roasted grapes.

  32. Maxine says:

    I love when the weather starts to cool down so I can turn the oven on! Roasted veggies are my fav! Nothing says fall like roasted beets and carrots with dill yogurt, or roasted spiced cauliflower, or the elusive crispy roasted broccoli (mine never turn out quite right but that doesn’t keep me from trying… :))

  33. jackie says:

    whisky, fresh bread, and butter, green chili.

  34. Megan says:

    Roasted veggies, soup, fresh bread, yum!

  35. Julie says:

    I’m absolutely making this tonight!

  36. Dee says:

    I love roasted rugosa squash that I use in soups, enchiladas and with eggs/quinoa.

  37. Jo says:

    I love butternut squash soup!

  38. Kristen says:

    Wow, this recipe sounds fantastic on a chilly fall night 🙂 I would have to say my favorite fall recipe is butternut squash soup or vegetarian chili. Nothing like a toasty bowl of soup to warm you through and through, yum!

  39. Sally says:

    Chili and corn bread are one of my favorite cold weather meals!

  40. Gabrielle says:

    Curried pumpkin soup! Bright orange to cheer you up on a gray day, warm spices, hot velvety soup–with a chunk of bread it doesn’t get much better than that after a day working in the rain.

  41. meredith says:

    i make white bean chili

  42. betsy says:

    I’ve been loving home grown pinto beans cooked on an oak fire with kale and chilies. Serve with delicata squash filled with apple cranberries pecans and a little maple. That’s how I do fall yummy.

  43. Michelle says:

    Roasted veggies, for sure! Brussel sprouts and delicata squash is a great combo.

  44. Thia says:

    Andrea, this box looks great for the colder weather coming in. The farro is just in time to add more whole grains so our bodies have something to burn to keep us warm. Getting a new kitchen gadget (the ORANGE knife!) is always good! And I love that you included a music selection. I always crank up the tunes when I’m in the kitchen.

    One of my favorite Autumn dishes is a butternut squash curry, with fresh spinach (or collard greens or kale), chickpeas, and diced tomatoes. I add fresh cilantro, coconut milk, garlic, black pepper, cumin, curry powder, … and extra cinnamon, for just a shade more sweetness!
    This dish warms me up on the chilly days, and leaves a smile on my face..

    And Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Cocktail…..YUM! Between this cocktail and that inspirational October Box , you’ve got my toes tapping. CHEERS, GIRL!!

  45. Carol says:

    I also love some butternut squash soup, or a big pot of pinto beans with toppings (tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cheese). The pumpkin spice cocktails look really good too!

  46. Carole Harris says:

    Once fall hits, I crave a nice butternut squash soup. But when there is a real chill in the air I love to slow roast a bunch of plum tomatoes, they are especially delicious on avocado toast! I can’t wait to try your Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Cocktail!

  47. Tess says:

    Pumpkin spice whiskey cocktails may be a contender for my best now that you’ve share…THANK YOU!! I do love to make a rich corn chowder on those grey days. It warms me up both physically and mentally!

  48. Sue says:

    I cannot wait to try the Pumpkin Spice Whisky Cocktail. I”m doing a big turkey dinner this weekend (we didn’t get to do our Canadian TG as we were all travelling).. I’m sure this concoction will make a big hit. Cooking is one of my passions & I love your site. for the great recipes and inspirational ideas. Thanks!!

  49. Kelli M. says:

    Anything with butternut squash has my heart!

  50. Catherine says:

    I love a good chili 🙂 any kind will do – pumpkin, beef, turkey!

  51. Julia says:

    My favorite fall recipe is pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! There is nothing better than curling up under a blanket while eating fresh-from-the-oven cookies.

  52. Vera Zakharov says:

    One thing I love about Autumn (apart from the colours and holidays!) is going out with friends and picking a few wild mushrooms. So one of my ultimate Autumn warmers is a nice slow-cooked wild mushroom braise, with birch boletes, porcini, and parasol mushrooms as nice options (but you can also use big, firm store-bought brown mushrooms with great results!).

    I start with sauteed onions, celery and carrots, then bake the lot in a casserole dish, along with herbs like bay, sage & thyme, and veggies like bulb fennel, and the mushrooms of course, a bit of stock to half cover the mushies & veggies. I give it a stir once or twice, and finish with a bit of cream toward the end, once the ingredients are cooked through and the mushrooms get nice and browned on top.

    Serving with warm crusty bread and a glass of wine is a must in my opinion!

    PS – I no longer live in the US, but if I win, I’d love to send the box to dear friends in CA who have their 1 year anniversary in a few weeks!!

  53. Sarah says:

    I love fall and cooking comfort food once there’s a chill in the air. It’s too hard to pick just one favorite, so I’m sharing two: 1. Savory bread pudding 2. Winter squash gratin. Or anything from DUTD:-) I love your blog and recipes so much! My husband and I can’t get enough.

  54. Susan says:

    Soup, soup and more soup! And sometimes chili.

  55. Anything with winter squash, sweet potatoes, apples, or mushrooms. Such an inspiring time of year to be in the kitchen!

  56. Andrea says:

    Pasta Fagoli hands down!

  57. Gwen says:

    I recently made your soup recipe with cauliflower, chick peas and curry! Delicious! I love to make soups and chilis. I usually make turkey chili with guacamole and chips, Squash soup is great also. Anything I can cook in a big pot and simmer for a while works for me, So glad I discovered your blog. I have celiac and so many of your recipes are naturally gluten free!

  58. francesca says:

    Whiskey- my kind of lady. We see lots of stews and chillis and of course… gluwhein!

  59. Caitlin says:

    I love soups! Cauliflower soup! Potato soup! White bean soup! Herbs, shallots, white wine, and butter make them all the better.

  60. Carolsue says:

    I like Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  61. Meg says:

    My go to dish on a fall weekend is a big pot of chili. Kidney beans soaked overnight with a mix of hot and sweet Italian sausage. Yum! Weeknights I make a lot of soups– btw your Coconut Curry Eggplant soup was delicious!

  62. suzi says:

    we love breakfast for dinner when the weather gets chilly. gonna make homemade vegan sausage and coconut pancakes soon… YUM!

  63. Bianca says:

    If you want to cut out a step I found that using the trader joes pumpkin butter makes a delicious bourbon cocktail.

  64. Patricia Bowker says:

    My favorite grey weather fall dish to make is curried pumpkin soup
    with spicy glazed pine nuts or pumpkin seeds. This cocktail sounds amazing!

  65. Hannah Buck says:

    OMG I’m crushing on these drinks so hard right now! I just included them in my blog post: Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu Planner…..who doesn’t want pumpkin spice cocktails for Xgiving! Can’t wait to try next week! YUM!

  66. Jarred Kahele says:

    Magnificent site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you in your effort!

    http://www.clubchair.us

  67. Karen nielsen says:

    It has to be creamy tomato soup…..warms you and fills your tummy!

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