Holiday Spice RumChata Martini (without Pumpkin)

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Warm spices - without a hint of pumpkin - make this Holiday Spice martini with RumChata is the perfect drink to sip throughout the fall and right into the Holiday Season.

Holidays and warm spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves - seem to go hand in hand. Since those are also known as "pumpkin pie spices," pumpkin also tends to be added into the mix. But I want something to drink WITH a pumpkin dessert that isn't also pumpkin. So we're skipping the pumpkin liqueur and pumpkin pureé for this Holiday Spice martini, and leaving in all the spicy goodness.

What You Need

Ingredients for Holiday Spice Rumchata Martinis

Vodka
RumChata
Brandy
Half and half or heavy cream
Cinnamon syrup
Orleans bitters
Cinnamon
Sugar
Nutmeg

Prepare your coupe or martini glass:

Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish.

Wet rim of glass with a little half and half.

A martini glass rim being dipped into cream

A martini glass rim being dipped in cinnamon sugar

Carefully dip the rim in the cinnamon sugar mixture until the rim is coated.

Set glass aside.

How to Make a Holiday Spice Martini

Combine Rumchata, vodka, brandy, half and half, cinnamon syrup, and Orleans bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Vodka being poured into a cocktail shaker

Rumchata being poured into a cocktail shaker

Shake it up!

Strain into your prepared glass.

Pouring a holiday spice martini into a glass

Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

Enjoy!

Tips for Holiday Spice Martini

What is Rumchata?

Rumchata is a sweet, rum based liqueur that's full of cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. It's delicious to sip straight over ice or use in a dessert cocktail like this one!

Can I use lowfat milk instead of cream?

Yes. You can use milk, but it will reduce the creaminess of the drink. If you decide to change the recipe to milk, use whole milk. This drink isn't nearly as good with 2%, 1%, or fat free milk. (Trust me, I've tried.) 😉

Where do I find cinnamon syrup?

You make it! Dissolve 1 cup of sugar into 1 cup of boiling water. Add 1 cinnamon stick, cover, and let the mixture sit and steep for 24-48 hours. Remove the cinnamon stick when ready to use. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Find more syrup recipes on my DIY Cocktail Syrups page.

What can I use instead of Orleans Bitters?

If you don't have Orleans bitters on hand or don't like the anise taste in Orleans bitters, substitute aromatic bitters to compliment the cinnamon in the RumChata.