Spicy Pumpkin Michelada Recipe {Beer Cocktail with Pumpkin}

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This easy Pumpkin Michelada Recipe is the ultimate beer cocktail recipe for fall! Made with a delicious light beer, pumpkin puree and plenty of warming spices, it is the perfect unique cocktail to enjoy when the weather cools down. And it’s lightly spicy which I know you’ll love.

Estrella jalisco beer can next to a pumpkin beer cocktail. — This easy Pumpkin Michelada recipe is so delish!

Why This Michelada Recipe Works

The Pumpkin Michelada recipe and beer for this post was provided by Estrella Jalisco. I modified the recipe slightly to suit my own tastes.

I left my Mexico vacation with a delicious souvenir. A love of beer cocktails.

So when Estrella Jalisco sent me a recipe for a spicy Pumpkin Michelada, I knew I had to give it a try! This pumpkin beer cocktail is the perfect fall cocktail idea, especially for people who are over all that pumpkin spice business.

Related: Pumpkin Cocktails

While it has pumpkin and some of our favorite fall spices, the cayenne pepper and beer make this totally unique. That little bit of heat hits the back of your throat and makes this extra special. But it’s still totally refreshing.

This fall beer cocktail is super simple to make and will be an unexpected pumpkin recipe to serve at Friendsgiving or any other party you’re throwing in the next few months.

The color is pretty and bold! This Pumpkin Beer Cocktail will look perfect on any holiday table and tastes delicious!

Thanksgiving Printable Decor image with text on what the pdf includes and some photos of the pages you'll get.

Ingredients

Canned Pumpkin might seem like an odd choice for a cocktail but stick with me. This works. Besides, who wants to take the time to make their own pumpkin puree? Not me! (Though, if you want to preserve those leftover Halloween pumpkins, here is how to turn them into pumpkin puree!)

Lemon adds a little bit of a citrus kick which pairs well with the Tajin on the rim. Fresh citrus is always a good idea in a cocktail.

Agave syrup is perfect if you’re looking for a sweetener that isn’t quite as sweet as granulated sugar.

Ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne red pepper add warmth and just a touch of fall flavor.

As a nod to those Mexican cocktails I fell in love with while in Loreto, I used Estrella Jalisco.

I’m not a fan of salt on margarita rims, but I am a huge supporter of Tajin on a fall beer cocktail!

The original recipe called for Chili de Arbol which I didn’t have. I substituted cayenne pepper and I think it worked perfectly.

If you’ve never tried a Pumpkin Michelada, make one this fall! It’s a delicious beer cocktail that is refreshing and totally unique!

Estrella jalisco beer on the counter with ingredients for fall beer cocktail.

I love to use Estrella Jalisco in beer cocktails because it’s super refreshing and has a pretty pale golden color. It’s also super light and doesn’t have a strong aftertaste so it works really well with other flavors.

How to make a pumpkin cocktail with beer

Woman adding canned pumpkin to a cocktail jar.

Step 1

In a bar pitcher add pumpkin, lemon juice and agave.

Adding a little spice to a michelada with pumpkin.

Step 2

Add cinnamon, ginger and cayenne.

Step 3

Mix well.

Woman making beer and pumpkin michelada.

Step 4

Top with beer.

Step 5

Mix again with a bar spoon.

Adding Tajin to the rim of a glass for a Pumpkin Michelada.

Rim a glass with a lemon wedge and Tajin. (See step-by-step instructions for how to rim a glass).

Pouring a Pumpkin Michelada with Estrella Jalisco into a glass with Tajin rim.

Pour your Pumpkin Michelada over ice in the prepared glass.

Tips and Tricks

While this recipe makes one drink, it’s easy to make more if you just change the serving size in the recipe card.

Try this recipe as written and then modify it to suit your own preferences. Just make sure to try to keep a balance between the spicy, tangy, and pumpkin notes.

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. It helps to cut through the richness of the pumpkin and beer.

Variations

This Pumpkin Michelada is sort of a choose-your-own-adventure situation. There are several ways to personalize it to make sure it suits your tastes perfectly.

Add more cayenne to kick up the spice even more.
Use just a little beer so the pumpkin flavor takes center stage.
Use more beer (I used about 3/4 of a can) to dilute the pumpkin flavor since I wanted it to be a little subtle.
Try orange juice or lime juice instead of lemon.
Add a little tequila to really get the party started.

Easy and deliciuos pumpkin michelada being held by a woman.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from a regular Michelada?

A regular Michelada is basically a Bloody Mary with beer. They often have Clamato and sometimes tequila. I’m not a fan. I just can’t get behind a tomato-based cocktail. I do love a Chelada, however, which is another version but doesn’t have tomato. A Michelada with Pumpkin swaps out the tomato base and uses pumpkin instead. That’s something I can support.

So what’s the difference between a Chelada and a Michelada?

A Michelada is a tomato juice-based cocktail with a spiced rim and a few other ingredients. A Chelada is basically beer, lime, and salt. Either is a refreshing choice.

What beer goes best with a Michelada?

I like a light beer without much aftertaste, but you can use your favorite Mexican beer.

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