Pumpkin Spice Martinis Are the Must-Make Cocktail of Fall

Pumpkin spice might be the flavor that everybody loves to hate (or loves to love), but there's no denying it is the quintessential flavor of fall. Looking at recent trends, we've concluded it might be the definitive flavor of fall cocktails as well. After trying out this tasty, 5-ingredient pumpkin spice martini, we're not mad about it — at all.

There are a million ways to make a pumpkin spice martini, and we have a few delicious options ourselves, but this one will probably prevent you from making a trip to the liquor store. We love that it has pure pumpkin puree (don't worry — you'd never know) and pumpkin pie spices for added warmth. It has the perfect amount of sweetness for covering up the liquor without tasting like a bite of pumpkin pie. Plus, who can resist a cinnamon-sugared rim?

Some of the more puzzling pumpkin spice cocktails that have been spiking this season include a pumpkin spice coquito, a pumpkin spice vodka soda, and a pumpkin spice margarita. If there's a will to "pumpkin spice" it, it looks like there's a way (looking at you, Trader Joe's). But if pumpkin spice isn't your thing, try out these cozy apple cocktails as you bundle up by the bonfire this fall.

The Best Pumpkin Spice Martini

(recipe by The Kitchen Is My Playground)

Yield: 1 cocktail

• 2 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces vanilla flavored vodka
• 2 ounces Irish cream liquor (such as Baileys)
• ⅛ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Ice

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add all other ingredients. Shake well and strain into a martini glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar*. Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and a cinnamon stick, if desired. Serve immediately.

*Optional: To rim the martini glass with cinnamon sugar, combine 1 tablespoon white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a shallow dish. Rim the edges of the martini glass with simple syrup or water, then dip the edge of the glass in the mixture until lightly coated.