Pumpkin Spice Dark and Stormy Fall Rum Cocktail

• Seasonal Twist: The pumpkin spice adds a fall flair to the classic Dark and Stormy, making it a great option for the fall season.

• Easy to Make: It’s a simple cocktail with a short ingredient list, making it accessible for home mixologists.

• Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar pumpkin spice flavor is generally well-loved, making this drink recipe appealing to a wide audience.

This tasty and warming fall rum cocktail uses simple ingredients with a seasonal spin on the classic cocktail. Instead of just lime juice, this Dark ‘n Stormy variation uses orange juice with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg to enhance the rich flavor.

You can purchase all the essential ingredients at just about any liquor and/or grocery store to make a perfect fall cocktail that is anything but boring!

Dark rum: This is the first and most essential ingredient for your Pumpkin Dark ‘n Stormy. If you’d like to stick to the original, find a bottle of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum at your favorite liquor store to make this drink. If you already have some dark rum on your bar, there is no need to buy a new bottle.

Lime juice: One of three parts of the original Dark ‘n Stormy, lime makes for a refreshing cocktail and some brightness. I recommend freshly squeezing your lime juice as the flavor is better and fresher, but if you only have bottled juice, that will work. 

Orange juice: This sweet citrus balances the lime juice while adding a little extra flavor. Like the lime juice, I recommend squeezing your own fresh orange juice to make the best quality cocktail. 

Pumpkin puree: The pumpkin puree gives this fall rum cocktail a more creamy texture and flavor than the original Dark ‘n Stormy. 

Ginger beer: Ginger adds a spicy and refreshing bite to the drink and goes great with dark rum. Ginger beer is usually available in the soda aisle or the grocery store or near the drink mixers in the liquor store. Two of my favorite brands are Q Mixers Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer. 

Spices and garnish: Finish your cocktail with a grate of nutmeg and an orange peel for a little extra flavor and a beautiful presentation. If you don’t care for nutmeg, you can use cinnamon sticks or star anise pods. Orange slices would also work as a garnish as well.

​Step 1: Add the dark rum and juices to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Add the pumpkin puree and add ice cubes to the shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. 

Step 3: Top with ginger beer and give it a good stir. Garnish with ground nutmeg and an orange peel. 

• For a sweeter cocktail, you can add a touch of simple syrup or increase the orange juice amount.

• To bring together more flavors of autumn, replace the orange juice with apple cider for a pumpkin apple cider cocktail. Drizzle the glass with a bit of caramel sauce for a caramel apple spin. 

• For more complexity, try adding a few dashes of orange bitters. 

Fall rum cocktails with their warm spices and rich flavors should be served as a delicious drink at your next fall gathering or for a little treat on Halloween while handing out candy. It’s also the perfect drink to serve at cocktail hour before Thanksgiving dinner. 

You won’t be able to resist this drink in the cooler months when the temperatures drop, and the leaves begin to fall!

If you’re looking for more seasonal cocktails, you may also want to check out some of my favorite fall cocktails: