Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini
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Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini Recipe – PSL Martini

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini

Basic Witches! Your PSL game just got an upgrade. If you start your day with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, then you can end your day with a PSL Tini, AKA the Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini. Not only is this the perfect autumn night cap, but it is a great cocktail to whip up for Halloween parties and gatherings. You can whip it up as a batch to serve at a party, or make it as a single serving.

Tip: This is the Martha Stewart-esque version where you make this baby up from scratch. You even make the pumpkin simple syrup (which can actually be used in your coffee in the morning if you have some leftover). However, if you are pinched for time, we have a Quick PSL Martini Recipe that requires only a few ingredients and can be made in a couple minutes. 

Tip: This cocktail can be made dairy-free and vegan. Be sure to use a vegan vanilla vodka and dairy-free alternative to milk (we love Oatly oat milk for the vegan version of this recipe)

Don’t feel like making this recipe? You can order your very own PSL Martini cocktail kit, ready to drink, with delivery (if you live in Maryland). Free delivery on Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini cocktail kits in Anne Arundel County and Queen Anne’s County. Please place your order on our Halloween Cocktail Kit Order Form.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Martini Shaker
  • Martini Glass
  • Ice
  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice (we get it from Trader Joe’s)
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Pumpkin Puree (if you cannot find this, don’t worry you can substitute pumpkin flavored syrup)
  • Cinnamon
  • Brown Sugar (or white if you don’t have brown sugar)
  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Espresso OR dried/instant espresso (we love Cafe Bustelo instant espresso for this recipe)
  • Pumpkin Pie flavored syrup (the kind you would add to a latte) – Monin makes a wonderful syrup
  • Milk/cream or a dairy free alternative

Instructions

Step 1: Making the Pumpkin Simple Syrup:

  • You will combine 1/2 a cup of pumpkin puree in a sauce pan on medium heat with 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 a cup of sugar.
  • Stir until sugar and water have dissolved. Remove mixture from heat, transfer to a bowl, cover, and put in fridge.
  • Once pumpkin simple syrup is cooled, use a small funnel and transfer it into a bottle or jar

Step 2: Making the Espresso

You have a few options here. You can get espresso shots to go from your local coffee shop, you can use your own espresso machine if you have one. OR you can use instant espresso (my go to for this recipe is Cafe Bustelo instant espresso which can be found in most grocery stores)

  • 1 shot of espresso
  • If you are using instant espresso, refer to the directions to make one serving.
  • Tip: if using Cafe Bustelo, I use 1 teaspoon of instant espresso in 2 oz of hot water

Step 3: Prepare Your Martini Glass

You will need to separate small plates or saucers

  • Add 1 oz of water to a small plate or saucer
  • Mix one tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon or a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg works too)
  • Add sugar/spice mixture to a small plate or sauce
  • Dip martini glass edge in water (basically you want to get the rim of the martini glass wet)
  • Immediately dip martini glass rim into saucer containing sugar/spice mixture. Spin the rim around in the mixture until the entire rim of the glass is dusted with the “rimming sugar”

Step 3: Making the PSL Martini:

  • Fill martini shaker 3/4 with ice
  • Add 2.5 – 3 ounces vanilla vodka to shaker (personally I do a slow 4 count when pouring vodka haha)
  • Add 1.5 oz of pumpkin simple syrup to shaker
  • Add 2.5 oz cream to shaker (or milk or milk substitute – oat milk works great)
  • Add 1 oz pumpkin pie syrup to shaker
  • Add one shot of espresso to shaker
  • Put lid on and shake the shaker!! Shake vigorously for 30 seconds – yes this counts as part of your workout
  • Strain into rimmed martini glass
  • Sip and enjoy!

 

Optional: Add whipped cream or large marshmallows to the top of your PSL martini and top with a sprinkle of sugar/spice mix. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you are feeling extra basic 😉 This recipe can also be enjoyed over ice instead of being shaken and strained.

What do you think of this recipe? If you make it, please leave a comment and let us know if you enjoyed it.

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Simple Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe

“Crab cakes and orange crushes, THAT’s what Maryland does.” – Wedding Crashers (the Chesapeake Bartender version)

Okay, so maybe that isn’t exactly how the movie line went…but still, we Marylanders know all to well that our beloved Orange Crush cocktail is a staple at any bar based in the Free State. We are willing to bet that any Maryland bartender who has been slinging drinks for a few years knows exactly how to make this refreshing, summery drink.

But in case they don’t (we won’t judge), you can show them this handy dandy orange crush recipe, or better yet, you can whip it up at home anytime with a few simple ingredients.

 

How To Make A Classic Orange Crush Cocktail At Home

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Triple Sec (or orange liqueur)
  • Sprite
  • Fresh Oranges (to make fresh squeezed orange juice)

What you will need:

  • Cups/glasses
  • Ice
  • A cup for shaking (to mix the ingredients)

Optional Enhancements:

  • Reggae tunes
  • Citronella Candles
  • Boat
  • Views of the Chesapeake Bay

 

Prep:

Be sure to have fresh oranges on hand, as these are what can make or break an orange crush. The key to this cocktail is fresh squeezed orange juice. If you do not have oranges, our go-to is the fresh squeezed orange juice from Trader Joe’s (it is half the price of the Whole Foods fresh squeezed oj and just as yummy). 

Preparing the oranges: Personally, I like oranges to be cut in quarters because I think they are easier to squeeze and get lots of juice, with minimal mess. Some people prefer fancy juicers (they are great too), and some like to half the orange before squeezing it (by half the orange, I mean cut the orange in half). You do you boo! It doesn’t matter how you juice your orange, as long as you add it to the cocktail.

Step 1: Grab a large cup (we prefer a good old Red Solo cup) and fill to the top with ice.

Step 2: Pour 1.5 oz orange vodka over ice.

Step 3: Pour 1 oz Triple Sec (or orange liqueur) over ice.

Step 4: Pour 3 oz sprite

Step 5: Squeeze orange over the ice

Step 5: Use empty shaker cup and pour contents back and forth between cup and shaker cup to mix all ingredients

Step 6: Sip and enjoy!

Skinny Orange Crush Recipe

For those who prefer their orange crush with less sugar, here is the “Skinny Orange Crush Recipe:”

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Club Soda
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Other Popular Crush Recipes:

Grapefruit Crush:
  • Grapefruit Vodka
  • Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Margarita Crush:
  • Tequila
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
  • Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lime
Pineapple Crush:
  • Pineapple Vodka
  • Fresh Pineapple Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Mermaid Crush:
  • 1/2 Grapefruit Vodka + 1/2 Orange Vodka
  • 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice + 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Triple Sec
  • Sprite

Let us know what you think of our classic Orange Crush recipe! We offer orange crushes at many private events. Ask for details if you would like to host an event with orange crushes. Cheers!

 

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Tips and Directions For Creating Your Valentine’s Kit Cocktails

Please Scroll On To Find Your Cocktail Kit, Along With Detailed Instructions For Serving:

 

TIP: Everyone has a different preference in regards to what is “too sweet” or “not sweet enough.” We try to strike a balance to please everyone, but if the cocktail is not to your liking, here are some options.

 

  • Not Sweet Enough: You can add a little sugar or agave syrup. This is a great option for margaritas, sangrias, etc. For margaritas, you can also try adding a bit of orange juice, pineapple juice or even grenadine if you have them on hand.

 

  • Too Sweet: Maybe the cocktail is too sweet (this Valentine’s menu is DECADENT), so if you need to decrease the sugary taste, you can add club soda – ideal for sangria, or even margaritas. Water is a great option as well. If you want to lessen the sweet taste of a chocolate or dessert drink, that is tougher to do, but can be achieved by adding more of a less sweet liquor (ie. vodka, rum, tequila) if you have that on hand.

 

Orange Chocolate Margaritas

Due to supply shortages, we were unable to get clear Creme de Cacao. Don’t worry, that won’t change the taste of your margaritas! BUT we did update the presentation of the cocktail and swapped out clear Creme de Cacao with Dark Creme de Cacao. If we pre-mixed the dark Creme de Cacao, your margarita would still taste delicious, but the color might be less than ideal.

Instead of adding the dark Creme de Cacao to your margaritas, we added it on the side in a sealed carafe. Here is how we recommend serving your orange chocolate margaritas: 

 

  1. Fill serving glasses with ice
  2. Stir carafe with pre-mixed margaritas
  3. Pour margarita mix over ice (allowing enough room to add Creme de Cacao on top)
  4. Then, take the carafe of dark Creme de Cacao and pour a splash on top of your margarita
  5. The dark liqueur will sink to the bottom, creating a “layering” affect – so your margarita should have the brown color on the bottom, and the lighter color on top.
  6. Grab your dark chocolate shavings and sprinkle them on top of your margarita
  7. Top with one dehydrated orange garnish.
  8. Sip and enjoy!

    Chocolate Cherry Sangria

    Lucky for you, this is a very simple cocktail to serve!

    1. Fill serving glasses with ice
    2. Stir chocolate cherry sangria in carafe
    3. Pour over ice
    4. Sip and Enjoy!

 

White Strawberry Sangria + Classic Red/White Sangria

 

    1. Add desired amount of fresh fruit garnish to glass
    2. Add ice cubes after adding fruit
    3. Stir white strawberry sangria in carafe
    4. Pour over ice
    5. Sip and Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Martinis

These cocktail can be served “up” as a martini or over ice. Your choice!

    1. Select your preferred glass
    2. Dip rim of glass in simple syrup to coat it (provided in clear container in your cocktail kit bag)
    3. Then, dip rim of glass in crushed chocolate cookie crumbles (provided in your cocktail kit bag)
    4. Set glass upright
    5. If serving as a martini, pour premixed chocolate martini into glass without ice (make sure to keep your cocktails chilled)
    6. If serving over ice, add ice to rimmed glass and pour chocolate martini mix over ice
    7. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
    8. Sip and Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Old Fashioned

 

We actually created a separate page for this, so CLICK HERE to navigate to the page

 

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Chocolate Old Fashioned Recipe

Ready to Make Your Own DIY Chocolate Old Fashioned?

 

If you purchased our Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit, or simply have the ingredients and want to whip up this classic cocktail, read on! It really is as easy as 1-2-3!

The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar cubes with chocolate bitters and water, adding bourbon and garnishing with orange slice and a cocktail cherry. It is traditionally served in an old fashioned glass, which predated the cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey
  • 1 Sugar Cube
  • 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
  • Few dashes Plain Water
  • Amarena Cherries
  • Orange Slices

Preparation: 

1. Place sugar cube in old fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of plain water.
2. Muddle (smush with a muddler or spoon until dissolved).
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add Jack Daniels Garnish with orange slice, and an Amarena cherry (we provided small packets containing 2 Amarena cherries).
See? Easy as 1-2-3! 

Optional:

When muddling the chocolate bitters and sugar cubes, add orange slice and Amarena cherry together. Then, top with ice cubes and pour Jack Daniels over ice. Enjoy!
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