2. Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

An Autumn trend that just won’t quit (and i don’t want it to)

I know, I know—pumpkin spice is over done. But it's so damn tasty, especially if you make your own. This old fashioned features my homemade pumpkin spice syrup, which is so spicy and rich it's basically a Kardashian. You can even drizzle some into your morning coffee and smile at all the time you saved by not waiting in line at Starbucks.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. high-proof rye whiskey (I used Rittenhouse Rye bottled in bond)

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• 1 dash of orange bitters

• 1/4 oz. pumpkin spice syrup (to taste, you can always add more)

Method

• Combine ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled.

• Pour over a big cube into an old fashioned glass.

• Express an orange peel over the top then drop the peel in.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 c water

• 1/2 c granulated sugar

• 1/2 c brown sugar

• 1/4 c pumpkin puree

• 1 scraped vanilla bean (Trader Joe's has them for CHEAP!)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ginger

• 1/8 tsp clove

• 2 pinches nutmeg

• 2 pinches allspice

• 1 pinch cardamom

Method

• Bring water and sugars to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

• Reduce heat to medium-low.

• Add pumpkin puree, vanilla bean, the vanilla pod scraps, and the spices. Whisk until incorporated on low heat for about 5–10 minutes.

• Taste and make adjustments to your liking. Syrup should reduce enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.

• Remove from heat and let cool.

• Strain twice through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or once through a coffee filter (this will take the longest, FYI).

• Pour into a sealable container before refrigerating.