26 Days Until Halloween: SPIDER DRINKS

To add to the spider menu of earlier this week:

• Make a licorice spider to garnish drinks; black rimming sugar makes it extra-creepy. Step-by-step how-to at the link. Thank you, Martha Stewart!
• Black Widow Cocktail
• A Different Black Widow CocktailSpider Punch***
• Spider Bite 
• Spider Brain Kids' Cocktail*** 
• SKYY Black WidowSpider Cider*** 
• White SpiderSpider's Kiss
• Kahlua Cobweb
• Spider's Web

No wait, this one is for real (FROG QUEEN DO NOT CLICK): Tarantula Cocktail. As in: a cocktail made with a tarantula. *shudder*


***Alcohol-free

 (more Halloween cocktails)

Halloween Cocktails

Hostess Blog has some fantastic Halloween ideas, not the least of witch which are Halloween Cocktails.

I love a good drink; I love it more when it comes with a fantastic pun and a little bit of scare. :)

READY FOR HALLOWEEN DAY 25: My Halloween Dinner Menu

We'll actually be out of town, celebrating the old anniversary one year anniversary (hey Captain! I'll be in your neck of the woods!) on Halloween-proper, so yesterday was our full-on with friends Halloween celebration day.

In true 'Carrie Mae, why don't you just do things the fun way?' fashion, we did something awesomely creepy, full of good food, and moderately educational. Some of our favorite friends came over and we cooked them a Halloween-themed dinner before going to the Oakland Cemetery Halloween Tour.

For Cocktail Hour, we made Sinister Cider from Martha Stewart and 'Here's Looking At You Kid' sausage balls. I didn't change the recipe, just the glass rimming technique. I opted for Hostess with the Mostess's bloody rimmed martini glass.

Dinner itself consisted of a variation on BHG's Adam's Ribs, Martha's Rest in Peas, and Mashed Bootatoes (used my own recipe of potato, but inspired by the Gourmet technique you see at the link).

Finally, for dessert we had Caramel Chocolate Layer Cake with Pumpkin Buttercream. I was inspired by the recipes at those links, but I took both elements in a new direction. I did, however, use Martha's Caramelized Cobwebs (chocolate spiders instead of licorice... I hate licorice) as the decor.

Dinner Music thanks to Halloween Radio.

READY FOR HALLOWEEN DAY 9: What is it with me and coffee this year?

I was getting all ready to craft something to post, when I ran across this in the blogosphere:

Hello, I Love to Create Blog, I am now smitten with you.

There are DIY instructions at the link. It's so blessedly brilliant!

READY FOR HALLOWEEN DAY 6: Pumpkin Hot Choclate

Mmm. Pumpkin Hot Chocolate. Doesn't that sound good for a celebratory fall beverage?

I made some for the husband and I last night. I think it was a success. Subtle, sweet a white hot chocolate based pumpkin beverage.

Have you ever wondered what a crazy person's recipes look like? Here's my doodles for a Pumpkin Hot Chocolate recipe:

I always start with notes from an existing recipe -- some on the page, some in my head. Then I start testing and filtering. Here are the starting inspirations:

• http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/white-hot-chocolate-recipe/index.html
• http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/11/pumpkin-pie-white-hot-chocolate.html
• http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/HotChocolate.htm

And here is the final result:

Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

• 1 cup half and half
• 6 oz white chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
• 2 cups of milk (I used 2 %)
• 1 cup of canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (I use Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla)
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg (I grate mine fresh)

The recipe part is easy: melt the chips in the half and half, whisking constantly until the chips are fully melted. Stir the other ingredients in vigorously and whisk from time to time until the mixture is fully warmed.

It turns a nice, light orange shade.

Top with cinnamon whipped cream:

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp powdered sugar (optional)

Whip with a mixer until fluffy. Sprinkle the final beverage with a little cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.

Happy, delicious haunting!

READY FOR HALLOWEEN DAY 1: You Need Your Coffee

It's happening, starting RIGHT NOW!

Let the month-long scramble to get ready for the 31st begin!

So, ghoulfriends -- what better way to get your skull in the game than starting the best month of the year with some caffienation? You owe yourself a seasonal coffee beverage (or a nice, hot tea) to get the Halloween creative juices flowing.

Mmm. Pumpkin Latte...................................................

So when you scout out the fall-flavored options at your local evil coffee chain, grocery store, etc, be sure to take a little cheerfully worded cup decor with you from living locurto. Those cup labels are free, and they are printable, folks!

With that kind of coffee in-hand, you'll be ready to face the costume aisles, the hardware store, and the craft shops you stalk around this time of year to fulfill all your last-minute home-haunt needs.

Happy Haunting!

Glow-in-the-Dark Cocktails

Do you have a blacklight? Well, go get it! And consider it the primary light-source for your bar area at your Halloween party -- especially if said party has a mad science theme.

Because you should be serving up tonic-centric cocktails, which will glow in the dark under the black light! Seriously. Check out that link for all the details; they even have suggestions for a black light sensitive food-treat!

Gin and Tonics are a staple you can make, but they are bitter and manly. There are other options out there. Try a mind eraser with tonic (as opposed to club soda), a Leprechaun, or seek out additional tonic drinks.

Vampire Cocktails

What to drink for Valentine's Day: Bloody Cocktails.

Okay, so this list if for a vampire party. But blood-themed cocktails=Valentine's Day ideal.

Rad Cocktail -- Perfectly Awesome!

Do you see this? It's called a Jack O' Lantern, and it's made of orange juice and Cognac. You can find it and 9 other great Halloween cocktail recipes here.

I wish I had seen this before my wedding. I might not have mixed this exact drink, but I would SO have walked around sipping something orange-colored with this garnish. Maybe a mimosa? It's an orange slice with just a little bit of greenery in the top. You might also consider a green straw poking through the middle, there.

And what if you used glass paint to make a jack face on the container? Oh my goodness. Splendid. :)

CHEERS!

Shrunken Head Apple

Happy Holidays! This is a perfect idea for your Christmas shindiggery: apple cider filled with adorable shrunken heads.

You don't even have to make cider from scratch, just fill a pot with cider and carve some faces in your apples.

Huzzah! Happy little cider faces.

Fire Drink for your Next Festivity?

I found this on About.com; it seems perfect for a showy Halloween beverage, especially if you have a party in your back yard!

Prep Time: 02 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1 liter orujo (substitute Italian grappa if orujo not available)
* 2/3 cup granulated sugar
* rind of one lemon cut into strips
* scant 1/4 cup whole coffee beans

Preparation:

This queimada recipe makes about 8 servings

Special Note: For the preparation of this drink, you will need a large fireproof clay pot or bowl, sealed or glazed on the interior and a very long-handled wooden spoon to stir the queimada.

Place the clay pot or bowl on a fireproof table of atop a cold BBQ grill. Be sure to have a large lid handy to put out the flames.

Pour approximately 4 Tbsp orujo and 1 Tbsp sugar into a small glass and stir to dissolve sugar, then set aside.

Pour the rest of the orujo and remaining sugar into the clay bowl and stir. Add the lemon peel and coffee beans and stir again.

Pour the orujo and sugar mixture from the glass into a ladle and light it on fire. Carefully move the ladle very close to the clay pot until the orujo mixture in the pot catches fire. Stir frequently until the flames turn blue. Slide the lid over the pot to put out the flames. Serve hot.

Witches Brew

Goodness is brewing, and it looks yummy:

Ghosties Brush Pack

I've been at it again: toying with Martha's wine labels.

When my parents came over to help clean up the basement flood, my Mom helpfully suggested that I could make each one different and add some of the clip art from my invitations. As they were already cut out and sealed, and thus practically done - simply awaiting the bottles - I scoffed at first. Then I thought about it some, and well - I think she was absolutely right:

The monogram label is for our toasting champagne, the rest are pretty self explanatory. The ghost was a new element; I found the brush pack on deviant art and thought it too cute not to use:


Ghosties Brush Pack by ~learn-to-spel on deviantART

UPDATE! I almost forgot to include the 'finished' picture (blurry as always):

What I'll Be Drinking

I will have the amazing bridal beverage of champagne with a fruit mixer (possibly raspberry kir), floating about in a boring champagne glass. I had no plan to Halloween-it-up.

And then, I saw the most miraculous thing in this year's "Taste of Home: Halloween Food & Fun" - not an idea I haven't seen before, but something about their presentation just struck a spark!


Oh yeah. Floating lychee eyeballs in the champagne. I'm all about it.


picture to be removed promptly upon owner request.

Three Broomstick Swizzle Sticks

Heather Bailey has posted this fantastic tutorial on making broomstick swizzle sticks.

Perfect for a Harry Potter party, a Halloween get-together, or your Witchy Wedding.

Go visit her site for more adorably awesome ideas!

Pumpkin Pie Martini

I like the way this picture is lit; makes it look like an irresistible candy-corn concoction.

Really, it's a pumpkin-and-vodka drink that sounds delectable:

DAVID WOLOWIDNYK'S 'PIE' COCKTAIL

Why yes, the first part of the directions are on how to make pumpkin-infused vodka.

I'll Drink to That! ...a selection of spirits.

This post could easily get carried away. There is a whole world of Halloween-flavored beverages to consume, and anyone who knows me knows that I'm the world's worst at ordering drinks. I lack the ability to make a split-second decision when it comes to alcohol consumption, and if you give me time to decide that just makes it worse. Guinness, PBR, and Vodka with Cranberry are the results of my Lame Lack-of-Party attitude.

Still, I like a good mixed drink (or non-alcoholic alternative) as much as the next guy and if I'm really being honest, it all revolves around not wanting to order some dumb-sounding drink and risk being asked to tell the bartender how to make it. I will make all the exceptions in the world for a tasty, Halloween concotion, though. I just think I should come prepared with a recipe or two.

Let's start with Martha Stewart; she always has such great pictures:

Ghost in the Graveyard
Serves 1
2 ounces black vodka
2 ounces creme de cacao or coffee-flavored liqueur
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Pinch of finely grated nutmeg, for garnish

In a glass, combine vodka and creme de cacao, and set aside. Place a scoop of ice cream in a highball glass, and slowly pour vodka mixture over ice cream. Garnish with nutmeg; serve immediately.

Screwed-Up Screwdriver
Serves 1
1/4 cup ice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice
1 1/2 ounces black vodka
1 black licorice twist, for serving

Place ice in a tall glass. Pour juice into glass. Pour vodka over the back of a cocktail spoon into glass so it sits on top of juice and creates a layer of black. Slice 1/4 inch off each end of licorice, and use as a straw. Serve immediately.

Berry Scary Martini
Serves 1
1 cup ice
1 ounce black vodka
2 ounces cherry juice
Fresh raspberries and blueberries, for garnish

Combine ice, vodka, and cherry juice in a cocktail shaker; shake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass. Thread raspberries and blueberries onto a cocktail skewer, and place in drink. Serve immediately.

Swamp Sips

Its murkiness comes from a generous helping of green fruit juice blend, available at the grocery store in the health- or energy-drinks section; tequila and a dash of lime juice give it a delectable edge. For the fuzzy, mold-colored rims, we used file powder, a Creole seasoning, but green tea powder will work just as well.

Not from Martha...

Smashing Pumpkin Martini

3 oz. Infused Spiced Pumpkin Vodka

1 oz. Amaretto

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

A good substitute for the infused vodka is 2 1/2 oz of Stoli Cinammon Vodka & 1/2 oz. of Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur.

Created by Felix Albano -The bar at Fifty Seven Fifty Seven - NYC

Blackbeard's Ghost

Rum, coconut 1 oz.

Rum, dark 1 oz.

Rum, light1 oz.

Grapefruit Juice 1 oz.

Orange Juice 1 oz.

Syrup, mango 1 oz.

Molasses 1/4 oz.

Mixing Instructions Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a highball glass over ice and garnish with a cherry.

Taboo
1 1/2 oz. Vodka or Pineapple Infused Vodka Splash Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1/2 oz. Sour

Mix Pineapple Wedge Maraschino Cherry Combine vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and sour mix in a blender with one cup ice, blend 15-20 seconds until smooth and serve in a collins or highball glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.

The original list of Halloween-themed drinks that inspired this post can be found here.

Sinister Sippables from Midori

What to Drink.com: Halloween

Drink Nation: Halloween

The Monster Bar

Drinkalizer: Halloween

Webtender: Halloween

what I got for Christmas

Had I been smarter, I would have put some food coloring in the water before filling the ice cube tray.

BUT LOOK HOW SPLENDID IT IS!I I love my grandmother; she got me the bonechillers icecube trays for Christmas. I'm pretty sure she bought them at Z Gallerie.

What do you think the best drink to start using these in would be?

Margarita Monday

My next-cube neighbors and I are having 'playtime' after work. Which is now.

Surely adult swim time is in order: drowning my frustration in a pitcher of un-fronzen margarita. I'm awash with excitement. It should be a fantastic follow-up to this morning's margarita cupcake.

I think I like the idea of after-work drink time should become an on-going tradition.

MARGARITA ON THE ROCKS (actually, I prefer it with just liquor, lime juice, and a bit of simple sugar - but what the hell)

* 1/4 cup sweet and sour mix
* 2 tablespoons triple sec
* 3 tablespoons gold tequila
* 2 teaspoons brandy-based orange liqueur (Grand Marnier®)
* 1/4 limes, quartered

1. Salt the rims of a margarita glass (pour salt onto a small plate, rub the rims of the glasses with lime, and press them into the salt).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. In a blender, combine sweet and sour mix, triple sec, tequila and Grand Marnier. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, squeeze a quarter lime into each glass, and serve.