Pumpkin Maple Bourbon Sour with Fresh Lemon

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This pumpkin maple bourbon sour pairs real pumpkin with bright lemon and a restrained splash of maple syrup*. Bourbon gives the drink its backbone, while a tiny pinch of cinnamon* adds a warm finish. Served over fresh ice, it is a fall cocktail with a little body and plenty of citrus, without egg white, cream or a flavored syrup.

A fresh way to serve a pumpkin cocktail

Pumpkin purée* contributes texture, while lemon keeps the drink lively. Maple syrup* rounds out the sharpness without needing a sugary rim. Serve it before a fall dinner or mix a round for a small gathering. Choose smooth, plain pumpkin purée* rather than sweetened, spiced pumpkin pie filling.

Ingredient picks

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Ingredients for 1 cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail · Prep: 5 minutes · Cook: 0 minutes · Total: 5 minutes

• 50 ml bourbon, 40% ABV (about 1⅔ US fl oz)
• 25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (about ⅚ US fl oz)
• 20 g smooth, unsweetened pumpkin purée* (about 1 generous tablespoon; weigh for consistency)
• 15 ml pure maple syrup* (1 tablespoon; about 20 g)
• 1 small pinch ground cinnamon* (about 0.1 g)
• Ice cubes, for shaking and serving
• Optional: 1 strip lemon peel, to garnish

Useful bar tools

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How to make it

1. Chill a rocks glass. Squeeze the lemon and measure 25 ml of juice. For the optional garnish, cut a narrow strip of peel from a washed, unwaxed lemon.
2. Stir the pumpkin purée*, maple syrup* and lemon juice together in a shaker until smooth. Add the bourbon and cinnamon*.
3. Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice, seal and shake hard for 15–20 seconds, until the outside feels cold.
4. Place a large fresh ice cube in the glass. Strain the cocktail through the shaker strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the glass. If using the lemon peel, gently express it over the drink and rest it on the rim. Serve immediately.

Keep the texture silky

Measure the pumpkin purée* rather than adding a heaped scoop: too much makes a thick drink. Stir it into the liquids before adding ice, then shake hard and double-strain. The purée should be cold and completely smooth.

Adjust the balance to taste

The base recipe has a bright citrus finish. For a sweeter drink, stir in another 5 ml maple syrup* after tasting; that addition is outside the nutrition estimate. Keep the cinnamon* to a small pinch so the bourbon remains noticeable.

Make a round for friends

For four drinks, measure 200 ml bourbon, 100 ml lemon juice, 80 g pumpkin purée*, 60 ml maple syrup* and four small pinches cinnamon*. Cover and refrigerate the mixture until serving, stir thoroughly, then shake individual portions with ice. Mix the same day for the freshest flavor. Refrigerate leftover purée as directed on its packaging or freeze small portions.

Estimated nutrition per cocktail

Approximately 176 calories · 17 g carbohydrate · 0.3 g protein · 0.2 g fat per cocktail. Calculated for the base recipe with 40% ABV bourbon, including alcohol energy; optional garnish and extra syrup are excluded. Ingredients, straining losses and portion sizes can change the result.

Contains alcohol. The base recipe uses no egg or dairy; check all product labels if preparing it for someone with allergies.

Recipe by AI_Chef