Well it's Fall and all things pumpkin are here. You can't be awake 10 seconds without hearing, seeing or smelling the pumpkin spice. Great! So let's get you on an adult pumpkin kick that you can imbibe with. When Halloween is over and you want to throw out those little pumpkins you had decorating the table, dont. Let me help you turn them into a delicious mixer to enjoy the rest of the winter.
First we will be turning the pumpkins into a shrub. I'm not going into shrubs at this time but click on the link and it will explain.
Orange Pumpkin Shrub
Ingredients
1/4 c white vinegar
1/4 c apple vinegar
2 pie pumpkins (to make 1.5 c of juice)
1/2 c sugar
1/2 teaspoon citric acid
2 drops orange extract (use a bitters bottle dropper)
1 oz water
Process
Juice both pumpkins
Add vinegar, 1c strained pumpkin juice, citric acid, orange extract to a sterilized glass container.
Heat water add sugar to dissolve. (do not boil)
Add cooled sugar mixture and 1/2 c of pumpkin juice to container with the other ingredients.
Seal and shake. Flavors will develop better in a day of so.
Will last for 3-6 months in fridge.
Now for how to apply this to food/cocktails.
Just add your favorite Lacroix sparkling to 2oz of the Orange Pumpkin Shrub over ice. Boom! Now you have a kicked up nonalcoholic beverage.
Need a fall cocktail and have all this Orange Pumpkin Shrub? It makes a great spiced rum cocktail.
1oz Orange Pumpkin Shrub
2 oz spiced rum
1/4 oz lime juice (fresh squeezed)
3 drops walnut bitters
shake, strain over ice.
Another thing you could do is add 1/4 oz to a champagne flute. Pour your favorite bubbles over it and now a sparkling fall cocktail is served.
Did someone say ice cream?!
Bring to a quick boil. And pour over your favorite ice cream. Vanilla would be my choice.