Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Scare up some Halloween cocktails
This Halloween, area mixologists are putting the “boo” in boozy with “defrightful” cocktails.
This Halloween, area mixologists are putting the b-b-b-boo in boozy with positively “defrightful” cocktails. And they’re sharing those howl-raising recipes, so you too can get in the spirit — starting with a Blood Orange Margarita.
“It’s a really fresh-tasting drink. A lot of people like it,” said Perry “PJ” Dortone of PJ Bartending in Broomall. “The Blood Orange Margarita is popular not just for Halloween, but for fall in general.”
Other favorites include an Almond Joy Martini and Witches’ Brew, a wickedly good concoction of coconut rum, cranberry, pineapple and 7-Up.
“It’s a spin on a Malibu Bay Breeze,” he described. “The 7-Up helps enhance the taste” and lends some sparkle to the cauldron.
Hang around for a spell at The Butcher & Barkeep in Harleysville, serving a bewitching, cloudy-topped drink dubbed The Second Sip.
“The flavor profile will slightly change as you are enjoying it while remaining clean and crisp,” explained bartender Jessie Minnick. “It features a fantastic local gin from Boardroom Sprits, located in Lansdale, and would make a great conversation piece at anyone’s Halloween party!”
So will a Spider’s Den, starring probiotic-packed kombu-
cha, pumpkin puree, shaved chocolate and star anise “spiders.”
“Halloween is all about garnishes. You can really do anything and give it a creepy name,” said Olga Sorzano of Baba’s Brew and A Culture Factory in Phoenixville. “The glass itself can make a huge difference, or you can drink out of a pumpkin.”
Skip the shot of dark rum or bourbon, and it’s a monstrously healthy mocktail for non-drinkers and pintsized spooks alike.
“My kids will be superduper delighted about that,” she added.
After all, even little ghouls just want to have fun.
Almond Joy Martini INGREDIENTS
1 ounce Three Olives chocolate vodka 1 ounce Frangelico 1 ounce Malibu coconut rum
INSTRUCTIONS
Put ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an Almond Joy.
RECIPE COURTESY OF PJ BARTENDING Blood Orange Margarita INGREDIENTS
3 ounces blood orange juice
½ ounce Cointreau or triple sec ¾ ounce lime juice 2 ounces tequila ½ ounce simple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake. Delid the shaker and pour into margarita glass, including ice. Garnish with a slice of blood orange. Can rim glass with salt if desired.
RECIPE COURTESY OF PJ BARTENDING Witches’ Brew INGREDIENTS
1½ ounces Malibu coconut rum 1 ounce cranberry juice 1 ounce pineapple juice 2 ounces 7-Up
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine rum and juices in a shaker with ice. Shake. De-lid the shaker and pour into a highball glass, including ice. Top with 2 ounces of 7-Up. Don’t shake with 7-Up! The Second Sip
The cocktail will be layered with purple on the bottom and a cloudy mix toward the top. A very fun and festive cocktail for any Halloween party!
INGREDIENTS
In a shaker add: 2 ounces Boardroom Gin ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ ounce elderflower liqueur ½ ounce simple syrup In a rocks or highball glass add:
½ ounce Crème Yvette or another violet liqueur
Large ice cube
INSTRUCTIONS
Shake first set of ingredients well with fresh ice. Double strain mix from shaker into glass. Top with a lime peel.
RECIPE COURTESY OF THE BUTCHER & BARKEEP Spider’s Den INGREDIENTS
1 bottle Asian Pear Ginger, Spiced Apple or Rosy Apple Kombucha ½ cup pumpkin puree 3 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar A pinch of cinnamon Star anise for decoration Shaved chocolate for decoration
INSTRUCTIONS
In the bowl, gently mix kombucha with pumpkin puree, sugar and cinnamon until well incorporated. Rim your glass with shaved chocolate and carefully pour pumpkin kombucha concoction in it.
Optional: Dark rum or bourbon (1 or 2 shots) would make a delicious, adultfriendly cocktail with subtle caramel notes.
RECIPE COURTESY OF BABA’S BREW