The time to celebrate goblins and ghouls is almost upon us, so raise a glass to your favorite scary witches, vampires and ghosts and enjoy a tasty treat this Halloween in liquid form. Here are a few devilishly delicious ideas to enjoy on all Hallows Eve; some selections were sent for editorial consideration.
I am always in the mood for a glass of wine and these add a little fun to any party, not just on Halloween.
If Halloween makes you a little loony, try a glass of Lunatic White from Luna Wines. An unexpected blend of 38% Albarino, 34% Malvasia Bianca, and 28% Chardonnay makes this a scene stealer at any party. Filled with floral, fruit and spice notes, this white wine delivers the characteristics that you would hope from each variety included, and blends them together to create an approachable, food friendly and very fun white wine.
Mummies twist and skeletons dance with a few sips of Caricature Wine from Lange Twins Family Winery created in celebration of caricature artists and their art of making one simple trait, like juicy ripe fruit in this wine, the focus. A fresh and fruity blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, filled with blackberry and black cherry jam flavors married with spice, oak and a touch of smoke, a great wine on its own or served with anything from grilled steaks to gummy candies.
Seven Deadly Zins begs to be enjoyed on Halloween, with its blood red color and ripe red cherry and juicy plum paired with spicy pepper and toasted oak aromas, this Zinfandel blend with bold Petit Sirah and Petit Verdot is the ideal sip for Halloween.
I am a butterscotch fan and adding a little Patron XO Cafe makes this sweet treat even better.
Butterscotch Treat
3/4 oz. Patrón XO Cafe
1/2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
1/2 oz. white crème de cacao
3/4 oz. half-and-half
Cinnamon sugar
Directions – Shake all ingredients vigorously in a mixing glass, and strain into a martini glass. Rim with cinnamon sugar.
Snow White has nothing to fear except great taste with this poison apple. This one is so tasty I may be drinking it through Christmas.
Poison Apple
1 oz LUCID®
2 oz Apple Cider
1 oz Cranberry Juice
Ginger Ale
1/2 oz Chambord
Directions: Combine LUCID, Apple Cider and Cranberry Juice in a shaker over ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Drop the Chambord to the bottom of the glass. Skewer Granny Smith Apple wedge on a pick and lay length wise across the edge of the glass.
A tempting bite from Dracula would turn anyone to a vampire long before the days of Twilight. This one is just as tempting as the original.
Dracula’s Kiss
Created by Raffaelo Van Couten of Bunker Club
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Blood Orange
1 oz. Blood Orange Puree
1.5 oz. Blueberry Pomegranate Juice
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
.5 oz. Simple Syrup
Directions: Combine all ingredients, shake hard, strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange.
Our sugar intake is certain to be high on Halloween. Save a few calories with this cocktail from Camarena.
Devilishly Light El Diablo
1 1/2 ounces Camarena Reposado Tequila
1/2 ounce Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis
1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
2 ounces Fever-Tree Naturally Light Ginger Beer
Lime Wedge for Garnish
Directions: Combine tequila, cassis and lime juice in a bucket glass. Top with Fever-Tree Naturally Light Ginger Beer and garnish with a lime wedge. 151 calories.
And for those who focus on being healthy, even on Halloween, give yourself a treat with this organic cocktail from Blue Ice.
Green Ghoul
2 ounces Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka
1/2 Organic Kiwi, Peeled
1/2 Organic Lime, Cut Into Quarters
1 teaspoon Organic Sugar
Directions: Muddle fruit and sugar in a mixing glass until well crushed and juicy. Add ice and vodka and shake vigorously. Pour all contents into bucket glass and drink with straws.
For those hosting a crowd mix up one of these punches for the party:
Van Goghst Punch (serves 12)
Created by The Cocktail Guru, Jonathan Pogash
1 bottle Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka
12 oz. orange juice
12 oz. pomegranate juice
12 oz. club soda or lemon-lime soda
Directions: Pour ingredients into large punch bowl or pitcher filled with ice and stir to chill and dilute. Ladle or pour out into small punch glasses. Garnish with several sliced orange wheels
For those celebrating through the week with Dia de los Muertos on November 2, create this tasty punch for a crowd.
Maritime de los Muertos Punch
2 cups Shellback Silver Rum
2 cups Green Tea
1 1/2 cups Guava Juice
1/2 cup Ginger Honey Syrup* (See Below)
1/2 cup Fresh Lime Juice
Grated Nutmeg for Garnish
Optional Extra: Add a few grapes with the skins peeled off for added
dramatic effect.
Directions: Pour all ingredients into a large punch bowl and chill in the refrigerator.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the surface of the punch when ready to serve. Serve
to order over ice-filled punch glasses.
*Directions for Ginger Honey Syrup: Place a 1” long, peeled piece of fresh ginger into a saucepan, along with ½ cup of honey and ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Let cool and sit for a few hours. Remove ginger and bottle syrup.
