Friday Cocktails: Pumpkin Old Fashioned

By Sahar Siddiqi

Credit: Anna Stockwell

I'll be honest: my favorite pet name to call my boyfriend is pumpkin. He hates it, of course, scowling and asking me why I compare him to a fat and orange winter squash. And every time, I felt the need to remind him how delicious and versatile the pumpkin actually is, one of those wonderful ingredients�sweet but not too sweet, bright in color�that works brilliantly in contexts as varied as cakes, curries, and cocktails. It's that last that won him over, after I created a drink that diminished the scowl and finally helped him appreciate the loving name.

In honor of my pumpkin, I've taken his favorite orange-scented cocktail, the old fashioned, and added sweet, rich pumpkin juice. The result is a brilliantly-hued beverage with the unmistakeable flavor of fall: citrus and squash, hints of maple, fiery bourbon. It's great as a post-dinner drink, or on a crisp fall afternoon, but in my opinion, it's particularly perfect when shared with a loved one.

See the recipe for Pumpkin Old Fashioned »