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Halloween punch recipes for the discriminating adult palate
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Absinthe: an antidote to overly-sweet drinks. (Public Domain/1896)
We've all been to the adult Halloween parties where the host, in the spirit of All Hallows Eve fun, serves up a shriekingly hilarious punch. It gets lots of attention in its cauldron-shaped bowl, surrounded by some atmospheric dry ice.
Everyone gets a big kick out of the eerie frozen hand --or the lychee-fruit eyeballs, or the Gummi worms-- floating in the middle. Photos will be taken. Jokes will be made. Every costumed witch, devil, and sexy kittycat just loves it.
That is, until they have to drink it.
When the whimsical Halloween punch is ultimately served up, it becomes obvious that the black hue comes from Black Cherry Kool-Aid, or some other undrinkable ingredient. Before you know it, your thirsty guests are organizing beer runs.
This year, serve your Halloween guests a punch with real adult appeal. You don't have to forego the theme. Serve up one of these sophisticatedly spooky libations your guests will actually want to drink, and keep the mood of All Hallow's Eve --and your dignity-- intact.
Add bubbly for an eerie punch.(Veo/Creative Commons)
Death in the Afternoon
This absinthe-based champagne cocktail may be the last word in decadence, its greenish hue evocative of the green fairy the liquor is said to invoke. Multiply the basic cocktail recipe for your crystal punch bowl, and watch your guests slip into a Moulin Rouge-era reverie.
Zombie Punch
The Zombie was invented in the 30s --both the movie version of the monster and the cocktail. The former appeared in Haitian voodoo-inspired films like White Zombie and Ouanga; the latter was invented in 1934 at Don the Beachcomber's. Though the original recipe was kept as secret as a Freemasonic rite, the New York Times believes this is the one.
Very Bloody Mary (Annieinbezier/Creative Commons)
When it comes to Halloween cocktails, some hosts choose by name, ignoring the taste in favor of being able to serve up a Devil's Mamaw or a Three-Headed She-Beast. The beauty of the Bloody Mary is in the fact that it's a classic, tried-and-true cocktail with a built-in Halloween moniker. No gimmicks necessary.
The drinks don't have to be scary when they're otherwise season-perfect. This piping-hot cider wafts a deliciously autumnal scent through the house, but the real genius is in the serving. Pouring each shot of brandy separately means you don't have to worry about the alcohol evaporating, and guests can control the amount to their own taste.
Mulled Cider. (Songunderthesugarsugar/Creative Commons)
Tips for Tastier Halloween Party Cocktails
- If the ingredients in a cocktail don't sound delicious, don't serve it just because of visual appeal. Kool-Aid, grape juice, and flavored gelatin don't fit in at a swanky cocktail party.
- Get your eye appeal from components that won't affect the taste of a drink: Gothic stemware or Halloween stirrers make even a basic Martini suit the party theme.
- Choose a signature drink that has a built-in Halloween-sounding name, but is made of basic, popular ingredients, such as a Dark and Stormy or a Bloody Aztec. Browsing bartender's manuals should turn up dozens of ideas.
- Want to serve up a classic cocktail with a boring name? Make up a name that fits the occasion. A Manhattan can be redubbed a Manhattan Monstrosity. Serve up a Tom Collins as a Tom's Corpse.
Whatever you do, don't be one of the thousands of hosts that mixes up a distasteful drink this Halloween. Save the wackiness for your costume, and keep your ghoul friends well-quenched with a libation you can feel proud to serve.
Have you seen what gourmet chocolatiers and confectioners have created for Halloween? Take a look at these sinfully sweet seasonal treats.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. Make the planning easier by clicking "subscribe" above to receive gourmet recipes, inventive gift ideas, and party-planning tips in your email.
ekellywrites@gmail.com
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