It's here, whether you like it or not: pumpkin spice season, when everyday dishes and drinks are suddenly turned into squash-flavored treats. Some love it, some hate it; regardless, they're probably already popping up on your Instagram feed. Might as well get on board, right? Go beyond Starbucks' PSL and instead try one of these pumpkin spice-inspired dishes and cocktails from local restaurants and bars.
PSL-tini at Paley. (Hollywood): Pinkies up for this one. At Paley. in Hollywood, you'll find a PSL-tini featuring roasted pumpkin-infused syrup, vodka, vanilla bean liqueur, egg white, cinnamon and nutmeg. It's served in a martini glass, and you'll feel oh-so-autumnal while sipping it.
Pumpkin-spice cake donut at Birdies (Downtown): The fried chicken and donut shop is offering a pumpkin-spice cake donut made with real pumpkin, then covered in brown sugar, a spice glaze, whipped cream, pumpkin seeds and gold flakes. Ooh la la!
Pumpkin-spice latte cruller at Plan Check (Sawtelle, Fairfax, Downtown, Santa Monica): Plan Check just opened a brand new Santa Monica branch, so you can now score one of these pumpkin-spice latte crullers in multiple quadrants of the city. The cruller is made from a pâte à choux dough, fried to order and topped with whipped candied pumpkin purée, cold-brew coffee pastry cream and cinnamon-spiced sugar.
Pumpkin-spice martini at Fig & Olive (West Hollywood): Fig & Olive is bringing back their pumpkin-spice martini this year, a festive cocktail made with vanilla infused vodka, lime juice, ginger syrup, apple brandy and pumpkin butter—plus a rim of crushed graham crackers as a garnish.
The Great Pumpkin at Beelman's Pub (Downtown): Head to Beelman's Pub for The Great Pumpkin, a frothy cocktail made with Appleton Estate rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice and pumpkin-spice syrup.
Pumpkin-spice old-fashioned at The Copper Lounge at the InterContinental (Century City): The new Copper Lounge at the InterContinental just launched their fall menu, including a pumpkin-spice old-fashioned. Made with Breckenridge bourbon, pumpkin simple syrup, pumpkin-spiced Candied Buddha's Hand, club soda, an orange slice and orange bitters, it turns the classic old-fashioned into a festive autumn treat.
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