When the weather changes to chillier temps, we don’t just trade out our shorts for jeans — we also say goodbye to light summer foods and refreshing iced drinks in favor of everyone’s favorite autumnal flavor: pumpkin. Call it basic, whine that you don’t want summer to end, but it’s officially pumpkin season ladies and gents.
Contrary to popular belief, the favorite pumpkin spice latte (a.k.a. the PSL) isn’t the only way you can enjoy this seasonal sweetheart. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy all things pumpkin from now till November.
PUMPKIN DRINKS
Pumpkin Rum
Pumpkin parties, everyone! Captain Morgan has released a limited edition rum called Jack-O-Blast, appropriately in a very cool pumpkin container. With 30% ABV and bursting with spicey pumpkin goodness, our fall just got a little more fun.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
You may think the days of stopping for a refreshing smoothie are over…at least until May rolls back around. But fall can offer us some smoothies, too! This pumpkin pie smoothie is easy to whip up right in your own kitchen. Top it with whipped cream and cinnamon and you’ve got an indulgent autumn drink.
Pumpkin Spiced Chai Tea
Not much of a coffee person? That doesn’t mean you can’t jump on the pumpkin spice bandwagon! This spiced chai is basically fall in a mug, bursting with robust flavors and guaranteed to make you feel cozy on a chilly October day.
Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Cocktail
One of the best parts of crafting your own, homemade cocktails is that you can emulate each season with the right flavors and liquors. In this case, for fall, flavors like turmeric, pumpkin spice, and apple really sum up the season in a drink. For alcohols, spiced rums and barrel-aged whiskey are the perfect cozy additions to an autumnal cocktail.
Our personal favorite? A pumpkin spice whiskey. You can get a little ambitious by making your own, fall-centric simple syrup or you can pick some up at your local liquor store.
Here’s the full recipe from Dishing Up the Dirt:
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
Then simply combine 1-2 tablespoons of syrup for every 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey and top with soda water. Add a cinnamon sugar rim if you so desire (and, honestly, how could you not), pop in a few ice cubes, and get to sipping!
PUMPKIN EATS
Pumpkin Bread
Whether you use a boxed mix or make the recipe from scratch with jarred pumpkin, there are few fall snacks as versatile as pumpkin bread. Cover it with cream cheese and pumpkin seeds for a filling breakfast, try nut butter and cranberries for a nice snack, or go for straight-up frosting to turn this loaf into a seasonal dessert.
Pumpkin Truffles
Chocolate and pumpkin aren’t immediately considered the perfect pair — but let us assure you, they can be a match made in heaven. Case and point, pumpkin truffles. The perfect union of creamy chocolate and spiced seasonal goodness.
To no one’s surprise, Godiva makes the ultimate pumpkin truffles or you can whip some up on your own.
Pumpkin Waffles
You better believe pumpkin is for breakfast. All you need to do is add a scoop of pumpkin (and, we would suggest, maybe some cinnamon or pumpkin spice seasoning) to your favorite waffle mix, and voila! You just pumpkined your morning meal.
Pumpkin Cookie Straws
If you want to take pumpkin spice season to the next level, Starbucks has got you covered. Surprise, surprise. These cookies are flaky, delicious, and allow you to drink your pumpkin drink of choice and THEN eat your straw.
Damn, Starbucks is so good at anticipating our fall needs before we’re even aware of them.
Pumpkin Oat Bars
Want to enjoy the full flavor of pumpkin without the sugar or fat of pumpkin desserts? Get your hands on some pumpkin oat bars this season! These low-carb treats are a great snack for your afternoon (some of them are packed with healthy, filling ingredients like cacao or sunflower seeds) and allow you to enjoy with indulging.
Bobo’s Pumpkin Oat Bars are some of our favorites to pick up at the store.