The dreamy combination of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream already have that chilly but indulgent feel to it that Autumn demands, but we can go one step further. We’ve got our eyes on the perfect Autumn cocktail, and surely this is it?

Pumpkin spice, most famous for taking over the world of lattés, is amazing in cocktails. If you’re not familiar with it, then it’s an American spice mix containing all those beautiful dark spices we associate with winter – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and occasionally allspice. You can add it into cocktail via pumpkin spice syrup, but for the White Russian, a creamer works best – you can make this yourself or buy a readymade mix.

The vodka provides a hearty structure to the cocktail, the coffee liqueur injects some lively sweetness, the creamer brings some beautifully aromatic spices, and then we have the cream creating an airy, luxurious texture. It’s heavy, indulgent and so, so comforting.

This seasonal spin is highly adaptable, hence why much of it is optional. If you’d like a stronger cocktail, you could easily add two shots of vodka without affecting the balance too much for starters. If you want more sweetness, then go for a pumpkin spice syrup (like Monin) over the creamer. The original White Russian includes heavy cream in the mix, so you could do that here for a richer feel or squirt some whipped cream on top – it’s all about your preference. Lastly, for garnishes you have so many options, but we suggest a cinnamon sprinkle for an inviting aesthetic, or even a cinnamon stick to slowly infuse the flavour.

Ingredients:
30ml vodka
30ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
30ml pumpkin spice creamer
10ml heavy cream (optional)
Whipped cream (optional) Cinnamon stick/sprinkle (optional)

Method:
Mix or shake everything together with ice before pouring over ice in a small glass. As mentioned, you could leave the creamy top as a snowy aesthetic, or sprinkle with some cinnamon – both look great.