Cinderella's Glass Slipper cocktail (Courtesy of The People's Last Stand)
By Alexandria Bauer
Every autumn, as the leaves begin to change and the weather prepares to cool, people seek out the seasonal flavor of pumpkin. From pastries to coffee, this trendy flavor makes everything taste like fall. But for those of you wanting to take your love of pumpkin to the next level, try mixing it in with your next happy hour. Pumpkin is an underrated cocktail ingredient, and with the help of Dallas bartenders, now is your chance to get the lowdown on this rare cocktail flavor.
Dena Sweis, bartender at The People’s Last Stand in Dallas, has created a cocktail that gives her customers the feeling of fall.
“When autumn started coming around I thought of the one thing that brings this [season’s] warm feeling,” says Sweis. “Pumpkin pie immediately came to mind and at that point, I started with the infusion.”
Pumpkin Flip from Windmill Lounge (Alexandria Bauer)
Sweis’ concoction, deemed Cinderella’s Glass Slipper, is made with Laird’s Applejack-infused pumpkin, cinnamon syrup, allspice liqueur, four drops of burlesque bitters, and an egg white. This beautifully crafted cocktail not only looks like festive, but also tastes like autumn.
Contrary to belief, there is such a thing as overdoing a pumpkin-infused cocktail. Windmill Lounge’s owner and mixologist, Louise Owens, is a devoted user of pumpkin. When crafting her cocktails, Owens believes there is a fine line between what makes them appealing, and what turns them into overkill.
“Adding more sugar or sweetness to any pumpkin cocktail can completely take away its natural flavoring,” says Owens.
Despite making her own pumpkin spice mix, Owens’ rendition of a classic Pumpkin Flip will take your taste buds for a ride. The Pumpkin Flip, which is crafted with Caña Brava Rum, spicy pumpkin mix and a raw egg, is topped off with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of orange zest. The combination of flavorful ingredients truly makes it a force to be reckoned with.
Alexandria Bauer is a senior journalism major at SMU who loves all things pumpkin. Follow her on Twitter @alxandria_bauer.