In recent years, pumpkin spice-flavored food and beverages have been labeled as "basic." But one can't deny that the sudden invasion of pumpkin in restaurants and grocery stores is a modern signifier of the changing of the seasons. With fall in full swing, pumpkin is a simple and tasty (depending on who you ask) option for planners in search of fall catering inspiration. From cocktails and ice cream to pizza and cream cheese, here's a look at some pumpkin spice-inspired catering ideas.
For a more sophisticated pumpkin dessert, Ballantyne hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, is offering a Pumpkin Tonka Verrine at its Gallery Restaurant throughout October. The dessert, created by hotel pastry chef Noelle Gogg, consists of Valrhona Orelys 35% Blond Chocolate cinnamon namelaka, pumpkin mousse, tonka bean cream, brown butter sponge, and Orelys chocolate garnish.Â
Therapy restaurant in Las Vegas is serving a variety of fall cocktails, including a pumpkin old fashioned made with pumpkin puree and cognac, served with a spiced orange twist and garnished with a cherry.Â
Therapy also is serving a cocktail called Mamma Knows Best, made with Scotch, Kahlua liqueur, Bailey’s Irish cream liqueur, pumpkin puree, creme anglaise, Godiva Chocolate liqueur, and heavy cream. The cocktail is poured into a brown sugar pumpkin spice-rimmed glass.Â
E’s Bar in New York is serving a Pumpkin Moscow Mule, made with crop pumpkin vodka, lemon, and ginger beer and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon.Â
Cocktail catering and mixology company Liquid Lab NYC has debuted fall-inspired cocktails made with its original pumpkin spice syrup. The Penthouse Pumpkin, available at the Attic Rooftop, features bourbon, pumpkin spice syrup, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and a dash of allspice dram served on the rocks. The drink is garnished with an orange twist and light dusting of nutmeg.Â
Americana Las Vegas has introduced new seasonal cocktails, including a golden pumpkin martini made with house-infused apple pie vodka, brown sugar, cinnamon, and Bailey’s Pumpkin. The cocktail is served with a golden chocolate and hazelnut rim.Â
Sprinkles Cupcakes at the Linq Promenade in Las Vegas is serving pumpkin cupcakes, created with ginger, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.Â
Lower Mills Tavern in Boston serves a pumpkin ice cream sandwich that consists of homemade ginger molasses cookies and pumpkin ice cream made for the restaurant by the Ice Creamsmith—a family-run ice cream shop next door.Â
The new MB Steak at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is offering a pumpkin milkshake made with pumpkin cheesecake ice cream and topped with cream cheese whipped cream and a house-made pumpkin pie slice.Â
For the first day of fall on September 22, Villa Italian Kitchen celebrated the new season by serving pumpkin spice pizza at its nearly 230 locations nationwide. The limited-time dish mixed a classic cheese pizza with pumpkin pie filling.Â
Becky’s Bites, a new cream cheese shop in New York, offers a variety of cream cheese-based treats including a gingerbread cookie snack pack that offers gingerbread cookie chips with pumpkin spice dip.Â
Becky’s Bites also offers pumpkin spice bites, which include a mix of chocolate-dipped pumpkin spice bites, tiny pumpkin pies, and pumpkin spice-filled cookie sandwiches.Â
For another savory option, French restaurant Bleu Boheme in San Diego is serving pumpkin hominy, made with sugar pumpkins and topped with a pistou made with toasted pumpkin seeds, kale, garlic, and olive oil.Â
While Starbucks serves the most famous pumpkin spice latte, the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay outside of San Francisco has put its own spin on the popular drink. The hotel partnered with Santa Cruz-based coffee company Verve Coffee Roasters to create the Pumpkin Patch Spice latte, which is served hot and iced.Â
