By now you may have heard that the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte you have been loving doesn’t actually contain pumpkin.

If you think you are getting the same heath benefits from that latte or even that canned pumpkin purée, which sometimes has added cornstarch and sugar, you are wrong! The health benefits of pumpkin are many and include aiding in your digestive system, boosting immunity and preventing disease (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis). You won’t believe how ridiculously easy it is to make your own homemade pumpkin purée, which will help you gain all of these health benefits. Pumpkin purée even freezes well for use beyond the season. You can bake, boil, or steam the pumpkin, whichever you prefer.

See the recipe below on how to make your own pumpkin purée, then use it to mix up one of these pumpkin-inspired cocktails to enjoy this fall season.

Pumpkin Purée Recipe

To Bake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. 
Rinse the pumpkin under cool water to rid the skin of any residual dirt and dry well with a clean towel.
3. 
Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove the seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Save the seeds for toasting, if you like, and discard the innards.
4. 
Rub the cut surfaces with oil. Place them, cut side down, in a roasting pan and add 1 cup of water to the pan.
5. 
Bake in the oven until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife. This takes approximately 90 minutes.
6. When tender, remove the pumpkin halves from the oven and place on a flat surface to cool.
7. Once cool enough to handle, but not cold, scoop out the pumpkin flesh.
8. Puree the pumpkin in a food processor, in a food mill, with a hand held blender or by hand.
9. Pumpkin flesh holds a lot of moisture. Line a sieve or fine mesh colander with paper towel or a coffee filter and set over a deep bowl. Let drain for about 2 hours and stir occasionally.

To Freeze:
 Once the puree has cooled entirely, place in freezer containers or ice cube trays. Leave room at the top (headspace) of the containers or individual ice cube compartments. Label, date and freeze the puree for future use.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Courtesy of www.AllRecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 1 Graham Crackers (crushed)
• 1 T. Honey
• 1/3 cup Milk
• 2 T. Pumpkin Purée
• 1 1/8 oz. Svedka Vanilla Vodka
• 3/4 oz. Creme de Cacao
• 1 pinch Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 cup Crushed Ice

Preparation: Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat rim of martini glass with honey, and dip into graham cracker crumbs to coat. Combine milk and pumpkin puree in a cocktail shaker, and shake to combine. Pour in vodka and creme de cacao, and add ice. Shake well, and then strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Caipirinha

Courtesy of www.FitSugar.com

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Lime, Cut into 4 Pieces
• 
1/2 oz. Agave Nectar
• 
Crushed Ice
• 1 1/2 oz. Cachaça
• 1 1/2 oz. Pumpkin Purée
• 1/2 oz. Ginger Liqueur (can substitute with 1 tsp. freshly peeled and grated ginger)

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker, combine lime and agave nectar (if using fresh ginger, add it at this time); muddle. Add ice, cachaça, pumpkin purée, and ginger liqueur; shake well. Garnish drink with grated nutmeg, cinnamon stick and lime wheel.

Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon Punch

Courtesy of Domesticate Me

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Pumpkin Purée
• 1 tsp. Honey
• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 oz. Four Roses Bourbon
• 3 oz. Crabbies Ginger Beer
• 1/8 tsp. Grated Fresh Ginger
• 1/8 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Preparation: Place all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain ingredients over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Courtesy of How Sweet It Is

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/4 cup Cream or Half and Half
• 
1 T. Vanilla Extract
• 2/3 cup Pumpkin Purée
• 
1/2 T. Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/3 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 2-3 oz. Four Roses Bourbon

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until combined. Pour in tall glass and top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon, if desired.

Pumpkin Mojito

Courtesy of Hostess With the Mostess

Ingredients:

• 11 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
• 1 T. Brown Sugar
• 
1 1/4 oz. Aged Rum
• 
1 T. Pumpkin Purée
• Juice of 1/2 a Lime
• 2 oz. Club Soda

Preparation: Muddle the mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add rum, pumpkin, and lime juice. Add ice, and shake until thoroughly mixed and chilled. Strain into a collins glass, top with club soda, and garnish with extra mint leaves.