So you may have seen over the years different videos circulating through Tik Tok, Instagram and other similar platforms revolving around taking a fresh pumpkin, pouring sugar and yeast into it and leaving it to turn into rich pumpkin wine. Like many trends, that method of fermenting seldom works and can prove dangerous.
Despite this, there’s still a way to make yourself some delicious pumpkin drinks for this Fall season, a method that doesn’t revolve around making a pumpkin bomb within your kitchen.
The reason brewing at home can be dangerous is due to the risky process of fermenting. It was encouraged during a recent viral trend that called on one to drill holes into the pumpkin, fill it with yeast, and leave it up to a month to allow the fermenting process. There are multiple problems with this; mold and pressure build up. Of course while a pumpkin is just sitting, it naturally oxidizes and the oxidization, moisture and buildup can cause mold inside and out of the pumpkin, turning what should be a delicious fall treat into a horrible trip to the bathroom.
The trend required the pumpkin itself to be sealed entirely with bubble gum or wax to allow the fermentation process to continue. This process can take weeks to months. The build up of the pressure inside however can cause the pumpkin to explode, causing a gooey mess either in your fridge or on the kitchen counter. Viral trends are not always recommended, but below you can find a much safer method to make your pumpkin concoction.
Ingredients: (Cook Time: 1 Hour)
- 6 cups apple cider, unsweetened
- 1 cup pumpkin puree, or 1 cup of raw baking pumpkin
- 1 cup of brandy or rum
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 sliced honeycrisp apple
- Dried orange slices
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
When picking ingredients, you may elect to use a can of pumpkin puree or a raw pumpkin itself. A raw pumpkin is highly recommended, although specifically pick out a pumpkin for baking and not carving. By picking a pumpkin, you can also treat yourself to some roasted pumpkin seeds. You can easily find the perfect pumpkin at your local grocery store or farmers market, but the best pumpkin picking experience can be found in RI at one of the many pumpkin farms located in the state (see https://motifri.com/fall-happenings-map/). Adam’s Farm in Cumberland is a great choice as it’s RI’s self-proclaimed largest pumpkin patch and contains much more than just simple pumpkin picking. If it’s closer, the Confreda Farm in Cranston is also a wonderful choice.
You will need a large stove pot big enough for all the ingredients with modest room as the liquid will rise during the process. To drain out all the excess ingredients, a cheesecloth or mesh strainer would do. There’s also many optional ingredients, so you’re free to experiment to your heart’s content.
Pour all of your apple cider into your pot over medium low heat and cover with a lid. Begin to whisk in the pumpkin puree and spices until the ingredients mostly dissolve into the liquid. Allow the ingredients to simmer within the pot over the course of half an hour to an hour, while stirring the mixture occasionally. Keep an eye on the beverage as it simmers, and lower the heat if it seems the mixture will spill over. Add the fruit slices as you begin to stir.
You can elect to combine the alcohol as you cook it or wait until after the cooking process is completed. Adding the alcohol while it cooks will allow the alcohol to evaporate more, otherwise combining the alcohol after the drink has been made will give you a much stronger kick and gives you the option to control more precisely how much alcohol is in the drink.
After the hour passes, allow the liquid to cool, then strain through a mesh strainer. Serve in a cup, then garnish with cinnamon and brown sugar or a spice of your choice. You may add the alcohol if you have not already, and now you have delicious spiked (or virgin) pumpkin cider to celebrate the upcoming fall season. There are many ways to mix up the drink recipe or to make a whole new drink entirely, so have fun spending the fall season mixing drinks like you’re a witch crafting potions.