I miss the Treats we had as kids. Nearly every house in our neighborhood handed out some form of homemade treat. We had cookies (wrapped in crinkly cellophane), popcorn balls, caramel apples, taffy in colored wax paper and home made fudge. It was the rare house that gave out store bought candy...they were the rich folks on the block.
This year we have that rare and wonderful treat of having Halloween on a weekend. For adults who never had enough dress up time as kids, there's nothing better. Enjoy the holiday and have with some of my favorite spook-tacular drinks.
Bad Brains Shooter
3/4 oz. red Curacao
3/4 oz. Bailey's
Fill a small shot glass with the red curracuo then simply pour in the baileys over the back of a spoon. This is a really cool looking shooter. When the baileys hits the glass it sort of curdles and looks like a little brain suspended in a jar of red blood.
Spooky Juice
Ingredients:
1 oz Vodka (Absolut)
2 dashes Blue Curacao
1 dash Grenadine
Fill with Orange juice
Stir together with ice.
Great Pumpkin Punch
1 large Pumpkin (flat bottom preferred)
1 part Apple Cider
2 parts Ginger Ale
1 part Spiced Rum (Capt. Morgan)
Hollow out the pumpkin and fill with the punch. Float a few pieces of dry ice in just as the guests arrive
How To Use Dry Ice in Cocktails
Dry ice is compressed carbon dioxide gas. The same gas all animals exhale during breathing. The smoke is not harmful. Although possible getting too much gas could deprive someone of oxygen and cause light headedness. Don't be overly concerned about kids or adults breathing the smoke unless they continue for a long time.
More to the fun stuff. When putting Dry ice in any drink or pot it will bubble UNTIL the drink freezes around the dry ice chunk. The ice is so cold the drink freezes and the smoke stops. To solve this use smaller pieces of dry ice, warm the drink so it does not get too cold. When using dry ice start with warm pop and water. The initial effect will quickly cool the drink and have a big show.
Do not add the dry ice ahead of time. Wait until the crowd shows since the effect of the dry ice is short. Keep the unused dry ice wrapped as much as possible and buy right before the party. In your freezer dry ice will evaporate and just disappear from it's packaging. So don't store it expecting it to keep. You may unexpectedly find it gone.
When using dry ice in punches or drinks there are some cautions to keep in mind. Accidentally drinking a large piece of dry ice could cause some serious harm. Dry ice when handled directly can seriously burn you. It's like a freezer burn or frostbite.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Purchase your dry ice right before your party/event. many stores at Halloween let you reserve the amount you need. Dry ice will dissipate quickly. Storing dry ice (Even in the freezer) will not keep for more than 8 hours. Therefore plan on purchasing only what is needed and using it right away.