If you’ve ever wished your pumpkin spice latte came with a grown-up twist, this Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini copycat brings that dream to life. It’s everything you love about the cozy season, real pumpkin, cinnamon warmth, creamy cold foam, shaken into a chilled martini glass with a kick of espresso and vodka. Whether you sipped it at a Starbucks Reserve Bar or just spotted it on their autumn menu, now you can craft it at home without waiting in line or missing out when the season fades.
This homemade Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini channels that smooth, balanced Reserve vibe with bold espresso, a hint of sweetness, and velvety pumpkin spice cold foam floating gently on top. It’s the perfect drink for crisp evenings, festive get-togethers, or solo moments when all you want is something silky, spiced, and just a little bit indulgent.
Table of Contents
How to make the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
Start by whisking together a small pumpkin spice sauce using sweetened condensed milk, real pumpkin purée, and a dash of warm spices. Pull a fresh double shot of espresso, let it cool just slightly, then shake it with vodka, vanilla syrup, and a spoonful of that pumpkin sauce until it’s ice-cold and frothy. Strain into a coupe glass, top with a thin crown of pumpkin-pie spice cold foam, and finish with a light dusting of chocolate or spice.
It’s cozy, classy, and fully fall.
Nutrition facts (per 1 cocktail)
Calories: 230
Alcohol by volume: ~14%
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Sugar: 13 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 5 g
Ingredients (1 martini)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Shake Time: 15 seconds
Total Time: 10–12 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Pumpkin Spice Sauce (makes ~6 drinks):
- 3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ tbsp pumpkin purée
- ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Pumpkin Pie Spice Cold Foam (for topping):
- ¼ cup heavy cream (chilled)
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice sauce (from above)
- Small pinch pumpkin pie spice
Martini:
- 2 oz (60 ml) cooled fresh espresso
- 1½ oz (45 ml) vodka
- ¼ oz (7 ml) vanilla syrup
- ½ oz (15 ml) pumpkin spice sauce (from above)
- Ice
Optional garnish:
- Freshly grated dark chocolate or a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice
Tools you’ll need
• Espresso machine or moka pot
• Cocktail shaker + fine mesh strainer
• Milk frother or French press
• Measuring spoons and jigger
• Chilled coupe or martini glass
• Microplane (for chocolate or spice dusting)
Instructions
1. Make the pumpkin spice sauce (2 min)
Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Store extras in the fridge for up to 1 week.
2. Prepare the cold foam (2–3 min)
In a small cup, combine heavy cream, milk, a tablespoon of the pumpkin sauce, and a pinch of pie spice. Froth until thickened but pourable, like a latte foam, not whipped cream.
3. Pull your espresso (1–2 min)
Use your espresso machine or moka pot to pull a double shot. Let it cool for 1–2 minutes or chill it briefly over ice, then strain.
4. Shake the cocktail (30 sec)
Add espresso, vodka, vanilla syrup, and pumpkin spice sauce to your cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker feels frosty.
5. Strain and top (1 min)
Double strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Gently pour the cold foam over the top to form a thin cap. Finish with grated dark chocolate or a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
Tips
• Cool the espresso quickly to prevent it from melting your ice in the shaker. You can chill it over ice, then strain out the cubes.
• Use a fine strainer when pouring to keep the texture velvety and crema intact.
• Make the foam fresh, it only takes seconds and gives the drink that silky, café-style finish.
• Adjust sweetness by tweaking the vanilla syrup or pumpkin sauce to your taste.
• Shake hard! You want a nice layer of froth and a smooth mix of espresso and vodka.
What to serve with
Seasonal bites that bring out the autumn warmth:
• Pumpkin scones or biscotti – A natural match. The flaky, gently spiced texture pairs beautifully with the creamy, chilled martini. Try dunking one if you’re feeling bold.
• Dark chocolate truffles – Bitterness and richness to mirror the espresso base. Choose truffles with cinnamon, orange peel, or chili for a layered pairing.
• Caramel popcorn or roasted pecans – Sweet and salty nibbles that echo the cozy vibe of the drink. These are great for parties or solo nightcaps alike.
• Butternut squash tartlets – If you’re hosting a fall gathering, this savory-sweet appetizer works beautifully with the spiced foam and smooth finish of the martini.
• Mini cheese boards – Brie, aged cheddar, and a touch of fig jam give the drink a savory contrast that feels decadent but not heavy.
Late-night comfort pairings:
• Gingersnaps or molasses cookies – Their warm spice plays in harmony with the pumpkin and espresso.
• Apple cider doughnuts – That soft, sugar-crusted bite with a sip of espresso martini is a serious fall indulgence.
• Spiced sweet potato fries – Yes, really. The sweet-savory crunch adds an unexpected but delightful twist.
Variations
Iced PSL Martini
Skip the foam and shake with a splash of milk. Serve over ice in a rocks glass for a lighter, more café-style cocktail.
Boozier version
Use 2 oz vodka and 1 oz espresso for a stronger hit. You can even add ¼ oz coffee liqueur for extra depth if you’re not strict about staying Reserve-style.
Spirit-free pumpkin espresso
Replace the vodka with Seedlip Spice 94 or another zero-proof spirit. Keep the espresso and cold foam the same for a cozy mocktail version.
Extra creamy
Shake with ½ oz heavy cream or top with sweetened whipped cream instead of cold foam. It’ll lean more dessert-like.
Choco-pumpkin twist
Add ½ oz crème de cacao or chocolate syrup to the shaker. Garnish with shaved chocolate curls for an espresso martini meets mocha vibe.
Ingredient substitutes
Espresso
Original: Freshly pulled espresso
Substitutes: Strong moka pot coffee, cold brew concentrate, or instant espresso dissolved in hot water
Vodka
Original: Kalak-style clean vodka
Substitutes: Any neutral vodka, coffee vodka for a stronger flavor, or zero-proof spirit for a mocktail
Pumpkin Spice Sauce
Original: Condensed milk + pumpkin purée
Substitutes: Pumpkin pie filling (skip the extra spice), maple syrup + pumpkin purée, or even canned sweet potato purée for a deeper note
Vanilla Syrup
Original: Starbucks-style vanilla syrup
Substitutes: 1:1 simple syrup with vanilla extract, maple syrup, or honey syrup for a warmer twist
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Original: Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger
Substitutes: Make your own with equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg + tiny pinch of allspice
Cold Foam
Original: Heavy cream + milk + pumpkin sauce
Substitutes: Coconut cream for dairy-free, barista oat milk for a lighter option, or skip entirely and top with whipped cream
Chocolate garnish
Original: Microplaned dark chocolate
Substitutes: Pumpkin pie spice dusting, nutmeg sprinkle, cocoa powder, or a tiny caramel drizzle
Ingredients
- Pumpkin Spice Sauce (makes ~6 drinks): 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ tablespoons pumpkin purée
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Cold Foam (for topping): ¼ cup heavy cream (chilled)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice sauce (from above)
- Small pinch pumpkin pie spice
- Martini: 2 oz (60 ml) cooled fresh espresso
- 1½ oz (45 ml) vodka
- ¼ oz (7 ml) vanilla syrup
- ½ oz (15 ml) pumpkin spice sauce (from above)
- Ice
- Optional garnish: Freshly grated dark chocolate or a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
1. Make the pumpkin spice sauce (2 min)
Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Store extras in the fridge for up to 1 week.
2. Prepare the cold foam (2–3 min)
In a small cup, combine heavy cream, milk, a tablespoon of the pumpkin sauce, and a pinch of pie spice. Froth until thickened but pourable, like a latte foam, not whipped cream.
3. Pull your espresso (1–2 min)
Use your espresso machine or moka pot to pull a double shot. Let it cool for 1–2 minutes or chill it briefly over ice, then strain.
4. Shake the cocktail (30 sec)
Add espresso, vodka, vanilla syrup, and pumpkin spice sauce to your cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the shaker feels frosty.
5. Strain and top (1 min)
Double strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Gently pour the cold foam over the top to form a thin cap. Finish with grated dark chocolate or a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
Notes
Calories: 230 Alcohol by volume: ~14% Carbohydrates: 17 g Sugar: 13 g Protein: 2 g Fat: 5 g
