Halloween is upon us. Here are a few concoctions to help you enter the night in beautiful madness.
Candy House
Strega, also known as “The Witch,” is an Italian herbal liqueur. The drink is sweet at first, with the Strega coming through on the finish. This is the witch of Hansel and Gretel folklore, sneaking up behind you while you nibble carelessly on her house.
1 1/2 ounces Strega
1 1/2 ounces Lillet Blanc
1 ounce Cognac Gautier
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1/8 ounce simple syrup
orange peel
Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Stir in orange peel.
Black Cat
Stephan Mendez made this for me at Blue Box [where Burris works]. It’s a deceptively smooth drink hiding ill omens. A familiar favored by witches and demons.
1 1/2 ounces Spiked Pumpkin Cruzan Black Strap Rum (instructions below)
1/4 ounce St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
1/2 ounce cinnamon-vanilla syrup (instructions right)
Guinness, to taste
Shake Spiked Pumpkin Cruzan Black Strap Rum, St. Elizabeth Allspice and cinnamon-vanilla syrup, and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with Guinness.
Spiked Pumpkin Black Strap rum:
1 liter Cruzan Black Strap Rum
2 teaspoons ground pumpkin spice
Combine Cruzan Black Strap Rum and pumpkin spice in an airtight container. Give it a good shake and let mixture sit overnight. Strain the mixture using a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
Cinnamon-vanilla syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise
In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let mixture cool and strain using a cheesecloth.
The Vampire’s Embrace
This is a play on a Negroni that matches the sweetness of chocolate with the bitterness of blood. A vampire’s drink (not the sparkly daylight kind).
1/2 ounce Cocchi Americano
1/2 ounce Dry Curaçao
1/2 ounce Suze
1/2 ounce gin (Citadelle is recommended)
Dash of Campari
Add Cocchi Americano, Dry Curaçao, Suze, gin and Campari to a rocks glass with ice. Stir.
