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Pumpkin Buck

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Liquor.com
Liquor.com

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Updated 10/21/20
Pumpkin Buck cocktail

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog 

“I’ve made a Pumpkin Buck every Thanksgiving for the past few years, and it’s always a hit,” says Naren Young, the former creative director at New York City’s Dante. On its own, the pumpkin soda is a fun and festive option for those who aren’t drinking; add a good slug of your favorite liquor to turn it into a Buck-style cocktail, which is to say, a classic highball that typically involves rum or whiskey plus ginger beer or ale. “I feel it works best with bourbon,” he says. Though any brown spirit would feel comfortable here.”

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces applejack or American whiskey

  • Pumpkin soda*, to top

  • Garnish: candied ginger

  • Garnish: nutmeg, freshly grated

Steps

  1. Add the applejack or whiskey to a highball glass and fill with ice.

  2. Top with the pumpkin soda and stir gently to combine.

  3. Garnish with a skewered piece of candied ginger and freshly grated nutmeg.

*Pumpkin soda: Add 1 can pumpkin puree, 3 quarts water, zest of 6 lemons, 3 ounces maple syrup, 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, 1 vanilla bean (split), 3 star anise pods and 4 cardamom pods to a large saucepan and bring to a low boil. Simmer for 20 minutes, then remove from heat. Allow to cool, then strain out the solids. Run the mixture through a soda maker to carbonate. Will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.