You know how some drinks just feel like a whole mood? That’s this one.

The second you taste this Keto Pumpkin Spice White “Russian” Cream Liqueur, you’ll get it. It’s cozy, a bit naughty, creamy, rich, spiced, and low-carb.

It’s the kind of thing you sip slowly while sitting in a sweater that smells like last year’s cinnamon candle.

And it’s keto, which means your blood sugar won’t jump like it’s haunted.

This is the drink you bring out when the Halloween lights are dim, the horror movies are rolling, and there’s a bowl of keto peanut butter cups sitting on the coffee table.

It’s also the drink that turns regular grown-up hangouts into “remember that night” kinda stories.

What Is a White Russian Again?

A White Russian is a cocktail that usually mixes vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), and heavy cream. It’s sweet, creamy, and has a kick. Basically like dessert with attitude.

Now, this version is keto, which means no sugar bombs. No Kahlúa. And no store-bought syrups pretending to be pumpkin spice but are really just corn syrup in disguise.

Instead, this one is made from scratch, uses real pumpkin, low-carb sweeteners, warm fall spices, and it actually tastes better than the original. Promise.

Let’s get into it.

Ingredients, What You’ll Need

This recipe has two parts:

The homemade pumpkin spice keto cream liqueur
The actual cocktail (White “Russian” style)

We’re making enough cream liqueur for about 8 to 10 drinks. It keeps in the fridge for a week if you don’t finish it before then.

For the Pumpkin Spice Keto Cream Liqueur:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling – check the can!)
1/2 cup vodka (use good stuff, this ain’t the time for bottom shelf)
2 tbsp powdered erythritol (or your favorite keto sweetener)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
Pinch of cloves
Pinch of salt (sounds weird, trust me, it works)

Optional:

1/2 tsp instant espresso powder (for a deeper flavor)
1 tbsp MCT oil or coconut cream if you want a silkier texture

For the Cocktail (Per Glass):

2 oz of your pumpkin spice keto cream liqueur
1 oz vodka
Ice cubes
(Optional) Dash of cold brew or strong chilled coffee

How to Make It — Step by Step

2) Make the Cream Liqueur First

Step 1: Warm up the base

In a small saucepan, combine the almond milk, heavy cream, and pumpkin puree. Set it on medium-low heat. Don’t boil it — you just want it warm enough to mix the flavors without turning into a science experiment.

Step 2: Add the flavor

Stir in the sweetener, vanilla, and all your spices. That includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. If you’re adding espresso powder or coconut cream, drop it in now.

Keep stirring. This part smells amazing — like the start of October in a mug.

Step 3: Cool and add the vodka

Once everything is nicely mixed and warmed through, take it off the heat. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes. You don’t want to pour vodka into a hot mix — the alcohol will just evaporate.

After it’s cool, stir in the vodka.

Step 4: Chill it down

Pour the whole mix into a glass bottle or jar and stick it in the fridge. Let it chill at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. The colder it is, the smoother the drink.

Give it a good shake before each use.

2) Mix the Cocktail

When you’re ready to pour:

Step a: Add ice
Fill a short glass with ice cubes.

Step b: Pour the liqueur
Add 2 oz of your homemade pumpkin spice keto cream liqueur.

Step c: Add more vodka
Top it with 1 oz of plain vodka. You can do more if you’re feeling wild, but this ratio keeps it smooth.

Optional: A splash of cold brew or chilled coffee

If you want a touch more depth or bitterness (like the original White Russian has with Kahlúa), add 1/2 oz of cold brew. It rounds out the sweetness and adds that grown-up edge.

Give it a swirl. Or don’t. Some folks like the layers.

What It Tastes Like

The first sip hits you with cream, warmth, and spice. Then the vodka peeks through with that little buzz. The pumpkin is there, but not screaming in your face like a PSL from the drive-thru. It’s subtle, real, and doesn’t feel like you’re drinking a candle.

It’s sweet, but only enough. The spices feel like they belong, not like someone dumped a bottle of “fall flavor” into a blender.

If you ever had Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice or Kahlúa with cream back before you cut carbs, this feels like an upgrade. Like what they meant to do but never quite got right.

Make It a Halloween Thing

This drink really works for Halloween parties, especially grown-up ones where folks wear black lipstick and ironically enjoy candy corn.

Here are some easy ideas to set the vibe:

Serve it in small glass potion bottles with tags
Rim the glass with crushed keto cookies mixed with cinnamon
Add a cinnamon stick stirrer
Toss in a skull-shaped ice cube (because, why not)
Drizzle a little sugar-free chocolate syrup on the sides of the glass before pouring

Set out a tray with little fake spiders and let people freak out a little when they reach for their drink. Fun times.

Storage Tips

You can make the cream liqueur ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 7 days. Just make sure to shake it well before using — it separates a bit because it’s made with real ingredients, not lab junk.

If it thickens up too much in the fridge, stir in a splash of almond milk to loosen it up.

Can You Make It Dairy-Free?

Yep. Here’s how:

Replace heavy cream with canned full-fat coconut milk
Stick to unsweetened almond milk or try macadamia milk for a smoother texture

The taste will be a little different — more coconut-y — but still great. You might even like it more.

Carb Count Breakdown

Let’s talk macros. Per drink:

Pumpkin puree (1/4 cup split across 8 drinks): ~1g net carbs
Unsweetened almond milk: ~0.5g
Heavy cream: ~1g
Erythritol: 0g net carbs (doesn’t count)
Spices: less than 1g
Vodka: 0g

Total per serving: around 2.5 to 3g net carbs.

Way under most people’s daily limit. And it won’t knock you out of ketosis unless you’re chugging the whole batch… which we don’t recommend (but no judgment).

Mistakes to Avoid

1) Don’t use pumpkin pie filling

That stuff has sugar, syrup, and mystery ingredients. You want pure pumpkin puree.

2) Don’t overheat the mix

If it boils, the cream might curdle and the flavor changes. Warm, not hot.

3) Don’t add vodka too soon

Alcohol evaporates fast in heat. Wait until it cools.

4) Don’t over-sweeten

You can always add more sweetener later. Start light.

Make It a Gift

This actually makes a great homemade gift if you’re going to a Halloween dinner or fall gathering. Pour the cream liqueur into a cute swing-top bottle, tie a cinnamon stick on the neck with twine, and maybe add a handwritten tag with serving instructions.

People will ask you for the recipe. Be ready.

Variations to Try

Once you get the base down, try these twists:

a) Chocolate Pumpkin Spice White “Russian”

Add 1 tsp cocoa powder to the cream liqueur mix. Boom. Halloween dessert in a glass.

b) Spiked Pumpkin Latte

Use more cold brew in the drink, skip the vodka, warm it up, and boom — keto PSL with backbone.

c) Pumpkin Spice Rum Cream

Swap vodka for spiced rum or dark rum. It gets a little more pirate-y. You’ll see.

A Personal Note

The first time I tried making this was last October. I had friends over, the kind who are “trying keto” but sneak crackers when no one’s looking. I didn’t tell them it was low-carb. I just poured the drinks, handed them out, and waited.

The glasses emptied fast. Someone licked the rim of theirs. One guy asked if I bought it at a fancy liquor store.

When I told them it was homemade — and keto — they looked like I just told them ghosts were real.

I make a batch every year now. And I never bring home leftovers.

Conclusion

This isn’t just a drink. It’s an experience. It’s everything people think pumpkin spice should be — real flavor, no sugar crash, and a slow cozy warmth that sneaks up on you.

It’s easy enough to whip up on a weekday, but feels special enough to serve at your Halloween party. It fits into your keto goals without tasting like a sad diet drink.

And yeah, it’ll get pinned on Pinterest more than once.

Make it. Share it. Or don’t. Keep the whole jar for yourself. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.