I’m really not a very conscientious food blogger. If I was, I would have created an elaborate Thanksgiving menu earlier in the month and been leading by example, posting the recipes for my dear readers to peruse in advance of their own holiday feast. As it stands, however, I have given little thought to what my own Thanksgiving menu is going to be and I haven’t bought a darn thing that might be considered a Thanksgiving ingredient. I apologize profusely, but the truth is that we are going to have a very quiet Thanksgiving, just us and the kids. Likely we will just do a turkey breast, with a little low carb stuffing made with my Cheesy Skillet Bread, some vegetables and dessert. As crazy as it sounds, I don’t even know what dessert will be yet! But I do know that I will be making another round of these Pumpkin Pie Martinis. Because they are seriously good. And they really do taste like pumpkin pie. Maybe I should just skip dessert and drink a few of these instead.
I’m never really going to be one of those bloggers who plans way ahead for each holiday. I am sorry, I wish I was, but what you see here are the recipes I feel like making, when I feel like making them. Once I’ve been at this for a few more years, I will have a nice little backlog of recipes for every holiday and can put together fantastic lists of suggested menus. But until then, you’re stuck with my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants ways. Perhaps the only exception to this is Christmas baking. I love Christmas cookies, and I love making a huge amount of different kinds and having quite an array of them to nibble at on Christmas Eve. And I have some wonderful ideas for low carb holiday cookies this year, so I will be getting a jump on things. I am making my first batch this weekend, although I doubt they will still be around to be enjoyed on Christmas. Still, I will post the recipe for you to make them in advance of the holiday.
These Pumpkin Pie Martinis were one of my spur-of-the-moment creations. I was doing some recipe research online, and I don’t even remember what I was looking up, but it certainly was not a cocktail. But a version of these came across my computer and I took one look and knew I had to make a low carb version. The original used sweetened pumpkin pie filling, vanilla vodka and white creme de cacao, as well as crushed graham crackers for the rim. I went with pumpkin puree and added the spices in myself, plus a little sweetener. I replaced the creme de cacao (a sugary liqueur) with dark rum, to mimic the brown sugar taste of pumpkin pie. And for the rim, I ground up some pecans (almonds would be good too) and tossed it with a little erythritol and cinnamon. They were delicious and they really did taste like pumpkin pie. With a kick!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Creamy, perfectly spiced cocktails that they really do taste like pumpkin pie!
- 2 tbsp finely ground pecans
- 1/2 tbsp Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 1/2 oz dark rum
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Swerve Sweetener or granulated erythritol
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
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On a shallow plate, combine ground pecans, Swerve, and cinnamon. Wet the rims of two martini glasses and dip into pecan mixture. Set aside.
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Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, rum, pumpkin, cream, Swerve, cinnamon, and ginger.
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Shake vigorously, then strain into prepared martini glasses.
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Sprinkle with a little nutmeg and serve.
Each serving has approximately 1.5 g of carbs.
TidyMom says
These look fantastic Carolyn! I’m not much of a holiday planning blogger either 😉
Katharine says
These look fantastic! And I certainly relate to the lack of holiday planning. At least you have your priorities straight and have this delicious cocktail figured out!! 🙂
Brenda N. says
Oh, my gosh! I am going to make these! Thank you for what looks to be a wonderful, festive drink!
Jennifer Eloff says
I have never had a Martini in my life…these sound good though. I can always enjoy dessert in a glass! 🙂
[email protected] says
I’m the same way! I’m not good with posting holiday recipes in advance… I make what I want to eat and post it a few days later. 🙂
I am going to forward this recipe to my husband… he will love you for it! He is our drinks master chef errr bartender. 🙂
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
You know I like a good cocktail and this one looks so festive!
Becky @ Becky's Place says
Um. Yum! I drink a drink or two maybe once or twice a year. Just may have to give this one a try. (Says the lunch lady as she sips on her pumpkin spiced coffee…)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
PERFECT Thanksgiving drink!!!!! 🙂
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
What a perfect way to end a Thanksgiving meal!
Sheryl says
Carolyn, you’ve already supplied so many go-to recipes. I made your cheesy skillet bread last night and I’ve got your mini maple pumpkin cheesecakes in the oven right now-trying it as a whole cheesecake. It was all I could do not to eat the filling with a spoon! And now–a martini with fiber!
JulieD says
Never mind, the cocktails are the most important part! These look awesome, Carolyn!
[email protected] says
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!! And aren’t you the naughty one, providing such a tantalizing holiday recipe 🙂
Debra says
This is good Carolyn, cause I was going to ask you about Christmas baking! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.
Brenda N. says
I had an epic fail on these. We tried several times, but just couldn’t get this to work out. I felt like it needed more “sweet”, but when we tried, that wasn’t it. So instead, we just had a couple of shots of Vanilla Vodka and few bites of leftover pear from a salad I made. Not bad! I’d love to know if others were successful, because I’ll try again! Happy Thanksgiving!
Carolyn says
Hmmm…what was it that was not good? My suggestions for next time might be to skip the rum, and up the pumpkin puree a bit. One person on facebook commented that she found them too strong, so perhaps that was a problem for you too? Maybe I just like my drinks strong!
Brenda N. says
I did feel like the rum was the culprit. We tried it with much less, but I didn’t try it without it completely. I will try these suggestions and see how they turn out (and I’m not afraid of a strong drink!) Thanks for the suggestion!
Carolyn says
Good luck. My husband and I loved these so I think it’s really a matter of taste here.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Is craving one of these things at 10am a bad thing? Wow, they sound delicious. I hope you had a wonderful, warm family holiday yesterday. We had one couple over so it was just five of us around the table with a 10-pound turkey. It was perfect. Well, almost. Having these afterwards would have been outstanding.
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I’m with you. I’m blogging about what we love to eat in our home…and we don’t eat turkey in October so I can blog about it. Although I’m certain that my trying to take a couple of quick photos as food is ready would actually have my guests insist I do; they’re all hungry and I have to get that shot…even if for next year!
I made a cocktail very much like this with pumpkin puree…it was a bit of a gamble but I loved how it turned out; I would have done the graham cracker rim but for one minor detail…no graham crackers! It’s a surprisingly good cocktail so Cheers!
Carol says
This sounds like the coolest drink ever!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
What a fun cocktail!! I did a pumpkin-eggnog martini last year. It was… interesting!
Jill @MadAboutMacarons says
Carolyn, who needs to be organised when you can produce these wowzer looking cocktails? They look SO good. Cheers also to your new looking website. I haven’t popped in to say hello for eternity and it’s a fabulous as ever! Bravo.
Cara says
yummy! Can’t wait till I can have martinis again 🙂
DrunkenFerry says
it seems yummy, i’m going to try it with the next holidays 🙂
susie t. gibbs says
Carolyn, these are so fun. You had me at martini! Love the idea for rimming the glass with the pecans, spice, and Swerve! We’re gonna do these for our all Halloween dinner and I’m gonna tint the swerve with a tiny bit of my orange paste food coloring!
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway says
You made the news! Thanksgiving Cocktails: Drink & Be Merry with 17 Festive Drinks for the Holidays that Even Scrooge Would Love!
http://www.examiner.com/article/thanksgiving-cocktails-drink-be-merry-with-17-festive-drinks-for-the-holidays
Ashley says
I love this recipe! I’m definitely going to add this to my list to make over the holidays. Also, I’m loving this pink pumpkin martini recipe as well! https://ashleydiana.com/pink-pumpkin-martini/
CHRISTINE says
Can’t believe I’m only just finding this! This is going on the Thanksgiving menu FOR SURE! Warning to those that may find this late like I did, be careful on your selection of vodka. Look for a vodka that has 40% alcohol (ABV), otherwise there is sugar added. Any flavored vodka below 40% has carbs, and some have quite a bit. Absolut is a safe one. Thanks so much for this delicious recipe!!