Vanilla Pumpkin Mocktail

On Sunday, football fans just want to watch the game and relax with good company and a drink in hand. Since you probably have to work the next morning, opting for a mocktail is a wise choice. If you're craving something sweet, the vanilla pumpkin mocktail is the way to go. They certainly make the list of Sunday night football non-alcoholic options because they're absolutely delicious plus they fit right in with the season. Every sip is a perfect combination of the roasty taste of pumpkin, the vanilla simple syrup made with real vanilla bean imparts a pure vanilla flavor and aroma which is accompanied by the bold taste of coffee and the apple cider used in the recipe makes this mocktail even more robust. Although served over ice, the ingredients can be whisked together and warmed in a saucepan before serving if a hot beverage is more fitting. 

Total Time: 40 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 4

Vanilla simple syrup

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup water

• 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped

Mocktail

• 1 tablespoon instant coffee

• ½ cup water

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree

• 1 teaspoon vanilla simple syrup

• 1 ½ cups apple cider

• Ice

• Ground cinnamon, for garnish

Directions

To make the syrup:

1. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 

3. Stir and let boil for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. 

4. Add the vanilla bean and scraped seeds. 

5. Leave to cool for 30 minutes before removing the vanilla bean. 

6. Transfer to a bottle or jar. 

For the mocktails:

1. Dissolve the instant coffee in the water. 

2. Add the coffee to a cocktail shaker with the pumpkin puree, simple syrup, and cider.

3. Shake well. 

4. Pour into ice-filled glasses. 

5. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve.