Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan Recipe

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It’s that time of year when cozy flavors and inventive cocktails take center stage, and our kitchens fill with the scent of spice and warmth. If you’re looking to elevate your autumn sipping experience, look no further than the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan, a bold twist on the classic cocktail that captures everything we love about the season.

What Is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan?

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan is a seasonal twist on the classic Manhattan cocktail, which is traditionally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.

Ingredients:

For The Barrel-Aged Manhattan:

• 375 ml (1/2 bottle) quality rye or bourbon whiskey
• 90 ml (3 oz) sweet vermouth
• 15 ml (0.5 oz) orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 5 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1-2 oz pumpkin spice syrup (see recipe below)
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 2-3 whole cloves
• 1 small vanilla bean, split (optional)
• Mini oak barrel (1-2L) or a large glass jar with a tight lid

For Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Make Pumpkin Spice Syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine water and brown sugar. Heat gently, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add pumpkin purée, spices, and vanilla extract. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring often.
3. Remove from heat, let cool, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare Your Barrel Or Jar:

1. If you are using a new oak barrel, cure it according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually by soaking with water until watertight).
2. If using a jar, ensure it’s clean and dry.

Mix The Batch:

1. In a large measuring pitcher, combine whiskey, sweet vermouth, orange liqueur, bitters, pumpkin spice syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and vanilla bean.
2. Pour the mixture into your barrel or jar, seal, and let age in a cool, dark spot.

Barrel-Age the Cocktail:

1. For a small new barrel: age for 2–4 weeks (taste every week).
2. For a glass jar: age 3–5 days to allow flavors to blend (no barrel influence, so less time is needed).

Serve:

1. To serve, pour 3 oz of the aged Manhattan into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
3. Garnish with an orange peel or spiced cherry. For extra fall flair, grate a bit of fresh nutmeg on top.

Tips For Perfect Results:

• Adjust the Spice: Prefer subtle spice? Reduce the syrup or skip the cloves. For a richer flavor, add more syrup or experiment with star anise.
• Barrel Aging: New barrels impart strong oak notes quickly; taste weekly to avoid over-oaking. Reused barrels can age longer.
• Batch Size: Feel free to scale up or down depending on your barrel or crowd size.
• Storage: After aging, bottle and refrigerate your cocktail for freshness.
• No Barrel? A glass jar works, but you’ll miss the oak influence. Add a drop of liquid smoke for a whisper of woodiness (go easy!).

What To Service Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan With

Savory Cheese & Charcuterie Boards:

• Aged cheddar or Gouda: Their nutty sharpness stands up to the cocktail’s boldness.
• Manchego: Savory and mellow, perfect with the sweetness of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan.
• Blue cheese: For an adventurous touch, its tangy depth is an excellent contrast.
• Prosciutto or smoky salami: Their salt and fat balance the spiced sweetness.
• Toasted nuts: Pecans or walnuts echo the cocktail’s autumnal vibe.
• Dried fruits: Apricots, cranberries, or figs underscore the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan drink’s sweetness.
• Crusty bread or spiced crackers

Fall-Inspired Small Plates:

• Roasted butternut squash crostini: (Drizzled with honey & topped with crumbled goat cheese)
• Maple-glazed bacon-wrapped dates
• Sweet potato fries with smoked paprika aioli
• Mini turkey meatballs with sage and cranberry sauce
• Baked brie with toasted pecans and apple slices

Dessert Pairings:

• Pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake: Perfect echo of the cocktail flavor.
• Pecan pie bars: The nutty, caramelized flavors enhance the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan’s sweetness.
• Chocolate truffles: Dark chocolate contrasts with the warmth and spice.
• Gingerbread or spiced cookies: A cozy match to sip alongside.

Crowd-Pleasing Party Pairings:

• Deviled eggs with a sprinkle of smoked paprika
• Mushroom tartlets
• Savory pumpkin or squash empanadas

Ingredient Substitutes:

Whiskey Substitutes:

• Rye or Bourbon: Classic choices. But if you don’t have either:
• Canadian Whisky: Usually smooth and slightly sweet, it makes a gentler Manhattan.
• Irish Whiskey: Softer grain notes, lighter on spice, good if you want a milder cocktail.
• Blended Scotch (Non-smoky): Offers depth but avoids peated varieties, which can overpower the pumpkin spice.
• Non-alcoholic whiskey alternatives: Several brands now offer “whiskey” with deep caramel and oak flavors, great for a mocktail version.

Sweet Vermouth Substitutes:

• Dry Vermouth: Use slightly less and add a dash of simple syrup to make up for lost sweetness.
• Lillet Rouge or Dubonnet Rouge: Sweet, aromatized wines with spiced notes, good for replicating that classic Manhattan depth.
• Port (Ruby or Tawny): Adds fruitiness and sweetness, changing the cocktail profile, but still delicious.
• Red dessert wine: A splash can stand in; avoid overly syrupy options.

Orange Liqueur Substitutes:

• Triple Sec, Curaçao, or Orange Extract (diluted): All can work in place of Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
• Orange Bitters or Fresh Orange Zest: Will give that hit of citrus, add an extra dash or two to compensate for liqueur.
• Omit and add more sweet vermouth: If you don’t want citrus, skip; the cocktail will still shine.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup Substitutes:

• Store-Bought Pumpkin Spice Syrup: Brands like Monin or Torani offer ready-made pumpkin spice syrups.
• Maple Syrup + Pumpkin Pie Spice: Combine 1 oz maple syrup with a generous pinch of pumpkin pie spice for a quick alternative.
• Simple Syrup + Ground Spices: Mix simple syrup with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger. Add a teaspoon or two of pumpkin purée for authenticity, if possible.
• Honey Syrup: Use honey cut with warm water (1:1), plus ground spices.

Bitters Substitutes:

• Any Aromatic Bitters: Angostura is classic, but Peychaud’s or other aromatic bitters offer similar depth.
• Orange Bitters: Will emphasize the citrus, try half aromatic and half orange bitters for balance.
• Spiced Bitters: If you find bitters with cinnamon, clove, or ginger notes, these will layer in well.

Barrel Or Jar Swaps:

• Glass Jar: Skip the oak, but still batch your Manhattan for flavors to meld.
• Stainless Steel Flask: For a smaller batch with easy storage.
• Oak Chips or Staves: Add a handful to your mason jar to mimic barrel aging (available online or in homebrew stores).
• Aging Extracts: A drop or two of “oak essence” can give a woody note if barrels or chips aren’t an option.

Spice Add-Ins:

• Whole Spices: If you don’t have cloves or cinnamon sticks, use star anise, allspice berries, or a small piece of nutmeg.
• Extracts: Small drops of vanilla, almond, or maple extract can supplement or replace whole spices if needed (use sparingly).

Garnish Swaps:

• Orange Twist: A lemon twist will work in a pinch.
• Brandied Cherry: Use maraschino cherries, dried apricots, or a cinnamon stick for a similar festive finish.

Final Thoughts

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to savor the spirit of the season than with a Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Manhattan in hand.

More Whiskey Recipes:

• Cutwater Whiskey Sour Recipe
• Copycat Ketel One Espresso Martini Recipe