Candy cocktails

Pumpkin Martini | Brasserie 8 ½

How’s this for smashing pumpkins: Brasserie 8 ½ pastry chef Martin Howard originally conceived this seasonal cocktail to serve to his holiday guests at home, but it was such a hit he decided to introduce it to a broader audience. “I love a martini and I love pumpkin pie, so you put the two together and you’ve got magic,” he says. “Then around Halloween you get those little candy pumpkins—the perfect garnish.” Howard first creates a spiced pumpkin puree base, incorporating cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg and allspice, before adding Stoli vanilla vodka, molasses, half-and-half and Godiva white chocolate liqueur. Using melted white chocolate, he then glues candy pumpkins to the glass, giving the appearance that they’re floating in the elixir. The resulting frothy concoction is thick and wafts cinnamon on the nose, resembling pumpkin eggnog. The half-and-half imparts a milky consistency, giving it body, while the initial spicy notes give way to a prevalent pumpkin flavor elongated by the molasses for a smooth, sweet finish. ($12)

Candy credibility: 3 stars. The initial spice quickly turns to spiced (as in heavy on the alcohol), making for one potent pumpkin drink. The natural spices that sit at the bottom also make this cocktail more intense with each successive sip.

Brasserie 8 ½ (9 W. 57th St., 212-829-0812)