Make Your Own Pumpkin Vodka

From October to the end of November, we surround ourselves with everything and anything pumpkin-related. Pumpkin-scented candles, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin pie. You name it, and as long as it has pumpkin in it, most of us probably want something to do with it.

With all of these pumpkin-centric treats, you would think a nice pumpkin spirit would have made its way into our repertoire. Pumpkin beer has always been a favorite in the autumn months, but pumpkin vodka or liqueur has never been something that we have sought out, mostly because until very recently, it wasn't readily available.

While some big brands are making some seriously delicious pumpkin-spiced spirits — check out Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie Vodka — we love the idea of making it at home. Being able to control the flavors and spices that go into a spirit is a great power, and you're guaranteed to get a pumpkin flavor you love.

Since our love for pumpkin-spiced food and drink knows no bounds, we decided to make our own pumpkin vodka to see just how delicious it could be. There are some great recipes online to use for handy reference, but we mostly went off-book to create our own pumpkin vodka recipe.

Before going to the store to seek out the ingredients for the pumpkin vodka, it is helpful to scan through a variety of pumpkin pie recipes to see what the most dominant flavors should be. Think nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves for that exquisite spice. Of course, you'll need some fresh pumpkin, too. We had a lot of fun making this infused treat, and hope you will, too.

Next week, after the vodka is all finished, we'll have some fantastic pumpkin cocktail recipes just in time for the season. Cheers, and happy boozing!

Click here for the recipe for pumpkin vodka. 

— Sara Kay, The Spir.it