The Perfect Pumpkin Martini Recipe for Thanksgiving
Are you planning your Thanksgiving celebration? What one item you don’t want to forget? A celebratory cocktail. I have the perfect pumpkin martini recipe for Thanksgiving.
For years, Sweet Shark has been making a Pumpkin Martini to toast the turkey before we sit down to our Thanksgiving meal. I think he has created the perfect Pumpkin Martini Recipe. I should know because I’m the cocktail taste tester.
Sweet Shark had another Pumpkin Martini recipe that he used for several years. Then he made one that he thought was easier to make and would taste even better. He was right. This version is the perfect Pumpkin Martini for 3 reasons.
Getting your friends or family with a fun pumpkin~flavored cocktail sets the tone for a holiday we love to celebrate.
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The Perfect Pumpkin Martini
Why is This the Perfect Pumpkin Martini?
Let me share what we love about this Thanksgiving cocktail.
Reason #1
The first reason that this is the perfect Pumpkin Martini recipe is that it has just 3 ingredients.
- Vanilla Vodka ~ Sweet Shark used SKYE vodka.
- Bailey’s Irish Creme ~ something that should be in every bartender’s tool box.
- Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice Liqueur ~ the must have ingredient to make a Pumpkin Martini
TIP: Keep your vodka in the refrigerator or freezer for extra good drinks.
NOTE: Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice Liqueur is not always easy to find. Call your liqueur store and ask first. We have had them order it for us.

Reason #2
The second reason that makes this the perfect Pumpkin Martini Recipe? The ingredients are in equal portions ~ no remembering how much of which ingredient ~ they are all the same. 1 serving uses 1 1/2 ounces of each ingredient. Just double to make 2.
Reason #3
The third reason that this is the perfect Pumpkin Martini?
To serve this Pumpkin Martini, use your prettiest martini glasses. This is the plain version.
We received these cut crystal glasses as a wedding present.

If you like to make your Pumpkin Martini extra special, you can rim the glass with sugar – I love this. The cocktail looks extra festive and that little taste of sugar is so yummy as you taste that first delicious sip of Pumpkin Martini. These are HIS and HERS Pumpkin Martinis. Guess which one is mine?

For even more fall flavor, a bit of freshly grated nutmeg adds a delicious fall aroma to the cocktail just before you take that first sip.
Sweet Shark keeps a teeny tiny box grater in his bar just for this task. You can usually find whole nutmeg in the spice aisle of your grocery store. The flavor of freshly grated nutmeg is much better for drinks than ground nutmeg that you use for baking.

If you are wondering, we bought the gold cocktail shaker at Paris Market in Savannah, Georgia, one of my favorite stores in the world. It is a 1~drink size shaker. If you want to make 2 Pumpkin Martinis (You do want to share with your guests, right?), double the recipe and use a standard-size cocktail shaker.
Here’s an idea: give your favorite bartender a pretty package with the gold cocktail shaker, the mini~box grater, and a bottle of the Pumpkin Spice Liqueur as a Christmas present. I bet he would make you a Pumpkin Martini as a “thank you”.
Bar Tools for Making This Pumpkin Martini
Pumpkin Martini Recipe

Pumpkin Martini
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- bar measuring cup
- mini box grater
- martini glass
Ingredients
- 1½ ounce vanilla vodka
- 1½ ounce pumpkin~flavored liqueur
- 1½ ounce Bailey's liqueur
- nutmeg seed
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the cocktail shaker. Add ice.
- Shake the cocktail shaker until ingredients until cold.
- Strain the ingredients into a martini glass.
- Grate nutmeg on top of martini and serve.
Notes
Hope you enjoy making and sipping this Perfect Pumpkin Martini Recipe. Lift a glass and toast Sweet Shark.
- Pumpkin Risotto Bites
- Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Brown Butter
- 2 Pumpkin-Flavored Popcorn Snacks
- Creamy Southwest Pumpkin Soup
- Chocolate-Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Bacon Bars with Caramel Frosting
If you want something a bit lighter, try the Apple Cider Martini
You don’t want to forget this perfect Pumpkin Martini recipe so be sure to PIN it.

Cheers! And Happy Thanksgiving.

We love mixing up different types of martinis, but we’ve never tried a pumpkin one. This one looks fun and delish. We will definitely make it! Thanks for sharing, Carol. Pinned!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Carol, I am sharing this drink with one of my friends, they will love serving this drink come the holidays. Our kids keep their Vodka in the freezer and I never understood why….now I do! Thanks for sharing, happy Thanksgiving Carol to you and your family.
Sounds so good. I have made this from you sharing it another time. Awesome cocktail!
This cocktail looks and sounds so delicious! I definitely need to save for the holidays!
Definitely trying this one. Looks amazing!!! Thanks for sharing.
This recipe sounds amazing. Definitely going to give it a try. I keep my Vodka in the freezer and it makes all drinks made with it so cold. I love it. Thanks for sharing Carol. Off to find some Vanilla Vodka!
I bet this tastes absolutely amazing!!
Oh my does this sound amazing. I never heard of a pumpkin martini. Saved this for the big day.
Cindy
Cindy, then you have to try this one. I had a couple during the Thanksgiving holidays. It’s like a liquid slice of pumpkin pie.
I have all of these ingredients and I’m totally going to try this!
Chas, I hope you will. Super easy and delicious.
Good morning Carol,
Okay after I figured out Sweet Shark was not a blog I dove into the details of this recipe! Love it! Something seasonal for Thanksgiving is perfect and that little grater is soooo cute. One year Santa brought everyone in the family little kitchen gadgets! This might be on the list. We just got back from Italy and I am in a sleep deprivation state today!
Please stop by the Inspire me monday party and share! xo laura