Matt Taylor-Gross and Liberty Fennell team up to introduce the Pumpkin Spice Spritz-the creation of cocktail developer Evie Negri-Albert. This delightful cocktail takes the familiar notes of a pumpkin spice latte but switches it up for a more warm-weather-friendly refreshment.

This cocktail presents a unique fusion of autumn flavors, with its base being a shrub, a syrup made with sugar and vinegar, often flavored with fruits, herbs, or spices. In this case, Negri-Albert’s version employs canned pumpkin purée, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and pumpkin spice to create a festive shrub that's rich in familiar flavors.

The choice of using brown sugar and apple cider vinegar instead of the traditional white sugar and white vinegar emphatically enhance the autumnal character of the cocktail. All the ingredients are cooked together, and then the shrub is strained to produce a velvety syrup that harmonizes beautifully in the cocktail.

A spritz is usually a summer cocktail, but this concoction embodies both late summer and the onset of fall. The shrub is an infusion of cozy, earthy flavors, with the apple cider vinegar elevating the taste. The pumpkin spice, made up of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, amplifies the aromatic complexity and depth of this cocktail.

To complete the cocktail, the shrub is mixed with traditional spritz constituents, Prosecco, and club soda for the best flavor experience. Prosecco is suited for this cocktail due to its fruity character. The drink is then garnished with a cinnamon stick. It’s easy to make and served in the same glass in which it is prepared.

Below is a recipe curated by Evie Negri-Albert, with the text composed by Lucy Simon.

Pumpkin Spice Shrub 15 ounces pumpkin purée 1 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar 2 cups water 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice 1 teaspoon salt Pumpkin Spice Spritz 1 1/2 ounces pumpkin spice shrub 3 ounces Prosecco 1 1/2 ounces soda water 1 stick cinnamon stick, as garnish

The Pumpkin Spice Shrub involves adding pumpkin purée, brown sugar, vinegar, water, pumpkin spice, and salt into a medium saucepan, brought to medium heat. The mixture is then lowered to a simmer and removed from heat to cool completely. Afterward, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh sieve and refrigerate.

To make the Pumpkin Spice Spritz, add the pumpkin spice shrub to a wine glass filled with ice. Add 3 ounces of Prosecco, ice, and top with about an ounce of soda water. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Enjoy this taste of autumn in a glass!