Bourbon Cider Pumpkin Keg for Halloween or Thanksgiving

It’s SO easy to turn a pumpkin into a keg! Fill it with apple cider, or our bourbon cider pumpkin punch for an attention grabbing drink dispenser.

HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN KEG

If you can carve a jack o’lantern, you can make a pumpkin keg. In fact, the pumpkin keg is even easier, because there’s a lot less carving!

The only tools you need are a good big chef’s knife, an ice cream scoop or big metal spoon, and Pumpkin/Watermelon Keg Kit. (These links are affiliate links, so if you purchase anything through them, we get a little kickback that helps support our family business).

The Pumpkin Keg Kit comes with a really sturdy apple corer, which is the perfect size to punch out a hole for the keg tap.

Simply cut the top off of your pumpkin, scoop the guts and seeds out (Make sure to turn your guts into pumpkin gut bread!), and punch a hole about 2-3 inches up from the base of your pumpkin.

Once you’ve got the tap screwed into your pumpkin punch bowl, you’re ready to fill it. You can use apple cider, a couple growlers of your favorite beer, sangria, or give our tasty bourbon cider a try.

BOURBON CIDER IN A PUMPKIN KEG

The first choice you have to make is whether you want your bourbon cider hot or cold. We tend to go with cold for indoor parties, since the heat is usually turned up. But you could definitely make it a hot cider as well!

For a cold bourbon cider, you’re going to mix everything in the pumpkin, just like in the video. I like to mix it all the night before and keep the pumpkin in the fridge so the flavors really meld and there is a good hint of pumpkin in the bourbon cider.

If you’re making it right before serving, you may want to increase the ginger, orange, and cinnamon. You might also want to mix 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree with the cider before you pour it in.

For a hot bourbon cider, mix everything on the stove and heat to a boil. Let cool slightly (don’t pour boiling liquid into the pumpkin!) and then pour into your pumpkin keg just before serving.

BOURBON CIDER PUMPKIN KEG FOR ALL FALL PARTIES

One of the things I love about a pumpkin keg, and the bourbon cider, is it’s great for more than just one holiday! You can use it for Halloween, Thanksgiving, an autumn wedding, or any party during the fall.

If you make a pumpkin keg for one of your parties, we’d love to see it! Just post a photo on our Facebook page so we can all admire you handiwork.

PIN TO SAVE BOURBON CIDER PUMPKIN KEG:

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Yield: 12 cups

Bourbon Cider in a Pumpkin Keg

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This bourbon cider is good hot or cold, and even better served in a pumpkin keg! If you'll be serving the cider immediately, add in the optional pumpkin puree, and use the largest amount of add ins. If you're letting sit in the fridge overnight, or serving hot, you can use the smaller amount and skip the pumpkin puree.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pumpkin, large
• 1/2 gallon apple cider
• 1-2 ginger roots, peeled
• 1-3 oranges, quartered
• 3-6 cinnamon sticks
• 8 ounces good bourbon, optional
• 4 ounces pumpkin puree, optional

Instructions

1. Cut a lid in the top of your pumpkin, and scrape out guts and seeds. Insert tap using keg kit.

Cold Cider

1. Mix together the cider, ginger, oranges, and cinnamon sticks. Add the bourbon if using and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
2. If you need to serve immediately, mix in the pumpkin puree and add some ice, or have ice on hand to fill glasses.

Hot Cider

1. Mix together the cider, ginger, oranges, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
2. Let sit 5 minutes, then mix in the bourbon and pour into your pumpkin.

Notes

Nutrition info includes the apple cider, bourbon, and pumpkin puree.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

12 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 119Sodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 18gSugar: 15g