In search of the ultimate Pumpkin Martini

     Pumpkin flavored "whatever" is all the rage now that Fall is in full swing. I type this more than a month from the most appropriate holiday for pumpkin-flavored libations (Halloween, of course), but that's because it's hard for me to give up...

     But I think I've found something I can stick with. It also feeds my need for homemade cocktail-related goodies. I was intrigued by the use of pumpkin butter instead of pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin syrup in this recipe.

     I stumbled across this concoction on the third page of a Google search (because as you know, if you can't find it, JFGI). I read the recipe, passed it by, reread it, passed it by again, then had an "aha" moment.  The original drink is called "Pumpkin Divine." The name conjured up unpleasant memories of Pink Flamingos, but I digress.

     I felt the need to modify the recipe, primarily because I'm not a real fan of Grey Goose La Poire, and tonight I was too lazy to go downstairs and dig out my bottle of triple sec, so Cointreau had to suffice.

We'll call this "Pumpkin Awesome"
1 1/2 parts vodka (I used Crater Lake)
1/2 part Cointreau
1/2 part simple syrup (if you don't make your own, Stirrings is a good one)
1/2 part pear shrub (don't be scared - recipe is here)
1 Tbl pumpkin butter
sprinkle of pumpkin pie spices
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. You can leave out the pumpkin pie spices and shake them over the top of the cocktail if you prefer. Awesome.

     The Cointreau replaces the Triple Sec with a little richer taste. The Pear shrub + vodka replaces the pear flavored vodka, which I think is too sweet anyway.

     Personally, this cocktail made all the effort of making pumpkin butter and pear shrub TOTALLY worth it.
Two thumbs up!