Thanksgiving Mojito (Pumpkin Apple Spice)
This Thanksgiving Mojito is my go-to holiday cocktail, combining the vibrant flavors of fall with the refreshing taste of a classic mojito. Fresh apple cider, a hint of pumpkin puree, and a dash of pumpkin pie spice transform this traditional rum drink into a festive fall mojito that’s perfect for Thanksgiving!
Back when I lived in Miami working at the restaurant during my husbands deployment, I was very much introduced to the tropical mojito. I didn’t think that mint and lime would work so well together. But spoil alert, not only does it work great in this Strawberry Mojito Salad, the flavors can also be transformed into a festive Thanksgiving cocktail!
This Fall Mojito is my holiday twist on the classic, combining crisp apple cider, smooth pumpkin puree, and a hint of pumpkin pie spice. The lime juice and mint keep it fresh and balanced, while the pumpkin adds a cozy, velvety touch. Everything comes together in a drink that’s perfectly festive, delicious, and easy to make!
🍂Grab These Before You Make It!
🍹Ingredient Notes
- Apple Cider – Adds a sweet, crisp flavor that perfectly complements the fall season while adding natural sweetness.
- Pumpkin Puree – The pumpkin puree gives the mojito a creamy texture and an earthy sweetness that makes it feel extra festive. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree for the best flavor, avoiding any added spices or sugars that are in pumpkin pie filling.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – This blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves infuses the drink with cozy, autumnal flavors. It’s just enough to add warmth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Lime – Fresh lime wedges and lime juice provide essential acidity that cuts through the sweetness of the apple cider and pumpkin, keeping the drink balanced and refreshing.
- Mint Leaves – Mint is a classic mojito ingredient that adds a fresh, cooling element to the drink.
- Sea Salt – A pinch of sea salt enhances the flavors and adds a subtle, savory contrast to the sweetness of the drink. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference.
- White Rum – The foundation of this mojito, providing a light, smooth base that lets the other flavors shine. Choose a good-quality rum that you enjoy.
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda – A splash of sparkling water or club soda gives the mojito its signature fizz, adding lightness and making it more refreshing. It’s the perfect finishing touch that keeps the drink from feeling too heavy.
- Garnish – Use a mix of thinly sliced limes, apples, and mint leaves to give it a refreshing aesthetic.
📖 How to Make a Thanksgiving Mojito
1️⃣ In a small bowl, stir together apple cider, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice until smooth and well-combined. Set aside.
2️⃣ In a cocktail shaker, add lime wedges, mint and salt. Using a muddler or a heavy wooden spoon handle, muddle the mint and lime to release the natural oils and aromas.
3️⃣ Then, add the apple cider mixture, lime juice and white rum to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 1 minute.
4️⃣ Fill a wide-mouth mason jar or pint glass with ice and strain contents of shaker over ice. Top with a splash of sparking water or club soda and garnish with mint leaves, lime wheels and apple slices.
🫙How To Make A Mojito Pitcher
| Ingredient | 1 Serving | 4 Servings | 6 Servings | 8 Servings | 16 Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Cider (cups) | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| Pumpkin Puree (tablespoons) | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| Pumpkin Pie Spice (teaspoons) | 1/8 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 1 | 2 |
| Lime (wedges) | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| Mint Leaves (leaves) | 10 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 160 |
| Sea Salt (teaspoons) | 1/4 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 4 |
| Lime Juice (cups) | 1/4 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 4 |
| White Rum (ounces) | 4 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 64 |
| Sparkling Water or Club Soda | Splash | Splash | Splash | Splash | Splash |
| Lime Slices/Wheels (for garnish) | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Apple Slices (thinly sliced, for garnish) | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
🍈 Tips for Making Autumn Mojitos
- Make sure you have a few extra limes. You will need 1 lime for the drink and a few extra for fresh squeezed juice and for garnishes.
- No cocktail shaker? Simply stir this thanksgiving rum cocktail vigorously before straining or “toss” the cocktail back and forth between two glasses until mixed thoroughly.
- To make Thanksgiving mojitos in advance, strain into a container with a lid (do not top with club soda) and store in the fridge overnight. Before serving, strain over a glass of ice, top with a splash of club soda and garnish.
- There isn’t any sugar in these apple cider mojitos because the apple cider is already super sweet. Feel free to add simple syrup to taste if you’d like.
- Make it spicy: To make it spicy, simply muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño with the mint and lime to add a kick of heat.
- Add cranberry: Swap out the pumpkin puree for a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries, muddling them along with the lime and mint for a tart, festive twist that’s perfect for the holiday season whether its Thanksgiving or Christmas.
🥤How to Make a Non Alcoholic Thanksgiving Mojito
There’s no reason for the kids and the non-drinkers to feel left out when you can also make an alcohol-free drinks for thanksgiving by replacing apple cider with sparking apple juice and leaving out the rum.
1️⃣ In a small bowl, stir together sparking apple juice, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice until smooth and well-combined. Set aside.
2️⃣ In a cocktail shaker, add lime wedges, mint and salt. Using a muddler or a heavy wooden spoon, muddle the mint and lime to release the natural oils and flavors.
3️⃣ Then, add the apple cider mixture and lime juice to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 1 minute.
4️⃣ Strain and serve in a glass over ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with mint, lime wedges and apple slices.
📝NOTE: If you’d prefer not to make two separate batches of mojito (one with alcohol and one without), you could always mix up a large pitcher and then serve the bottle of rum on the side, so your adult guests can add booze as they please.
♻️ Storing & Freezing
Storing – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Store garnishes separately.
Freezing – The rum will prevent mojitos from freezing solid but you can still store leftovers in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to serve, let the liquid thaw and then serve over ice OR enjoy straight from the freezer as a frosty frozen mojito.
More Holiday Drink Recipes
- Thanksgiving Punch
- Christmas Punch
- Thanksgiving Mimosa
- Thanksgiving Margarita
- Thanksgiving Moscow Mule
❔FAQ
Yes. A traditional mojito has white rum, but a quality spiced dark rum (aka Captain Morgan) in this recipe will taste great.
Yes. Your mojitos won’t be quite as potent and the flavor will not be exactly the same but you can use apple juice. Just add more pumpkin pie spice! 🙂
Bacardi Superior White Rum and Captain Morgan White Rum are both smooth, easy to find, quality white rums with budget-friendly price tags.
Spearmint is used in mojitos -not to be confused with peppermint which has an entirely different flavor.
Yes. White rum and light rum are the same. They are both clear and relatively flavorless.
Thanksgiving Mojito (Pumpkin Apple Spice)
Equipment
- Muddler or Sturdy Wooden Spoon
- wide mouth mason jar or pint glass
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- ⅛ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- 10 mint leaves
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 4 ounces white rum
- 1 splash sparkling water or club soda
To Garnish
- lime slices or wheels
- apple thinly sliced
- mint leaves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together apple cider, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice until smooth and well-combined. Set aside.
- ️In a cocktail shaker, add lime wedges, mint and salt. Using a muddler or a heavy wooden spoon, press into the mint and lime to release the natural oils and flavors.
- Then, add the apple cider mixture, lime juice and rum to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 1 minute.
- Fill a wide mouth mason jar or pint glass with ice and strain contents of shaker over ice. Top with a splash of sparking water or club soda and garnish with mint leaves, lime wedges and apple slices.
