By Izzy Giacoppo

Maybe I am late to the party, but I recently learned that pumpkin pie cream liqueur exists after my friend bought a bottle of it. We figured it would make a perfect addition to hot chocolate on chilly nights, but I wondered: What else could be done with it? That’s when I saw a bottle of chocolate liqueur and it clicked: I can just mix the two together! Of course, this recipe is a little more than just that. I took inspiration from the standard chocolate martini recipe: vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream. I decided to swap the Irish cream for the pumpkin pie cream liqueur. Although an uncomplicated switch, it made an exciting difference. This drink is a perfect balance between sweet, spicy, creamy, and bitter. A combination that makes it simultaneously refreshing and cozy.

Ingredients to make one serving:

• 1 oz chocolate liqueur 
• 1 oz pumpkin pie liqueur 
• 2 oz vodka
• ¼ to ½ cup ice (for shaking)
• Melted chocolate or chocolate syrup (optional, for garnish)
• Shaved chocolate (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. To a cocktail shaker, add ice, chocolate liqueur, pumpkin pie cream liqueur, and vodka
2. Close the shaker and shake vigorously
3. Pour the liquid into a glass of your choosing
4. For an extra touch, top the drink with shaved chocolate

If you’d like, you can garnish the inside of your martini glass with the melted chocolate or chocolate syrup. We recommend the chocolate syrup because it is easier to drizzle and has a smoother finish. You can also dip the rim of the glass in chocolate for garnish. After garnishing your glass to your liking, freeze the glass for about an hour to harden the chocolate. 

If you do not have anything for garnish, no worries! You can be as fancy or as casual with how you prepare your drink. The most important part of making a martini is enjoying it, not making it look pretty. If you do not have a cocktail shaker, you can still make this drink with two different sized cups mimicking the two parts of a shaker. Ensure you hold them tightly together to avoid any liquid escaping as you shake. 

The pumpkin flavor in this martini is dominant, so if you want more balance between the pumpkin and chocolate flavors, you can add a little more chocolate liqueur or use less of the pumpkin pie cream liqueur. The fabulous thing about martinis is that they are versatile and customizable to your personal preferences. Now get shaking and pouring and enjoy this cocktail after a day at the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, during a scary movie, or with dessert on Thanksgiving.