Perfect Pumpkin Martini
Eating and drinking go hand in hand, they have for centuries. At an earlier time we ate with the seasons out of necessity; our storage options were limited. After the invention of various preservation methods and refrigeration the length of time items were available expanded. Currently there is a movement to eating seasonally once again; this is not due to some necessity, but rather the need to feel a closer connection to the world around us. This time of year is excellent for seasonal eating. From fruit to squash, the bounty is plentiful; why just eat seasonally, we can also drink seasonally as well!
Ideal for infusions, it is no wonder that there are so many flavoured vodkas on the market today. From lemon to blueberry the options seem limitless, and they are, if you are willing to do some infusing yourself. While artificial flavours and colours often appear in flavoured spirits, true infusions take nothing more than time. The only real trick to mastering infusions is the longer a seasoning is left to linger in a liquid, the stronger the infusion, think about tea.
Our vodka was left with a soaking time of 6 hours; refrigerated overnight would be ideal for a properly pronounced pumpkin flavour. The cocktail of the evening is a simple seasonal sensation for all to enjoy. Pumpkin combined with all of the spice of Angostura bitters and topped of with a mild mannered vodka really does sum up October.
Cocktail Recipe
6 fl.oz. vodka
1 dash Angostura Bitters
2 Heaping Tbsp. Pumpkin Purée
- Put pumpkin purée and vodka in a sealed glass for at least six hours.
- Strain and press vodka from pumpkin and discard pumpkin purée.
- Add Angostura bitters to vodka and shake over ice
- Serve with a holiday garnish of your choosing.
Drinking by the season allows us to expand and explore our adventurous side. Knowing how to create your own infused alcohols will greatly grow your barback game. This simple cocktail showcasing one of the tastes of the season will allow you to not only eat with the season on Thanksgiving but also offer a seasonal specialty to those of your guests who wish to try something different. So wherever you are, have a happy Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie on your plate and pumpkin infused vodka in your glass!