ZOMBIE ANEURYSM SLUSH HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL

Looking for a sure fire way to kill a few brain cells on Halloween? Yeah? Well, this ought to do it.
Warning: Not kidding. Line up your Lyfts and Ubers now and make sure you have the next day(s) off - this cocktail is named after zombies for a reason.* Oh, and did I tell you? You get brain freeze too.
Happy Halloween.

ZOMBIE ANEURYSM SLUSH COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS 1/2 Oz. Crystal Head Vodka 1-1/2 Oz. White Rum 1 Oz. Dark Rum 1/2 Oz. 151 Proof Rum 3 Oz.  Pineapple Juice 1 Oz. Orange Juice 1 Oz. Lemon Juice 1 Oz. Lime Juice 1 Tsp. Papaya Juice 1 C. Finely Crushed Ice
Garnish: Shot of Homemade Pomegranate Simple Syrup (Grenadine),  Halloween Straws
Tools: Blender, Funnel, Syringe or Meat Injector
Glass: Empty Crystal Head Vodka Bottle or Skull Glass
DIRECTIONS Combine all the ingredients in a blender and pulse until slushy smooth. Pour into your empty Crystal Head Vodka bottle through the funnel. (I filled the funnel then lightly tapped the bottle on a towel covered counter several times until the bottle was full to the eye ridges.) Remember to leave space for the freezing cocktail to expand. Freeze for about an hour, just long enough to let the bottle frost over and the slushy to solidify a bit. Stir with the skewer to loosen. Just before serving, fill the meat injector (syringe) with the pomegranate simple syrup then shoot this against the inside of the glass somewhere near the eye sockets and brain. The syrup is heavier than the cocktail and will slowly slide down to the bottom for a nice layered effect. Add the straws and serve.
* MartiniDiva.Com and subsidiaries take no responsibility for any stupidity arising from this recipe. Drink at your own risk.
National Zombie Day is July 7th.
Updated 7-2019 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

The STRANGER THINGS BOOZY SLUSHY Maple Walnut Bourbon Cola Cocktail

When I think about Netflix's Stranger Things the first thing that comes to mind, of course, is Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). But the next thing that comes to mind are Eggo waffles. El's fondness for junk food is a theme throughout season one. Being on the run from Papa (Matthew Modine) and Hawkins National Laboratory, junk food is the easiest food for her to get her hands on and she is a kid, albeit a strange kid, so Eggos figure heavily in Eleven's diet.

Mike (Finn Wolfhard): "Don't worry, when all this is over you won't have to keep eating junk food and leftovers like a dog anymore. My mom, she's a pretty awesome cook. She can make you whatever you like." Eleven: "Eggos?" Mike: "Yea, Eggos, but real food, too."
When she disappears after disintegrating the Demogorgon, Chief Hopper (David Harbour) gives us hope Eleven is still alive by placing plates of Eggo waffles in a box for her on Christmas eve.
Coke shows up a lot, most likely as a result of paid product placement, but still cans of it pop up often. Chocolate pudding makes an appearance as a lunch lady's hoarded food and there are multiple mentions of other edibles, also mostly junk, but not always: Dustin (Gaten Mazzarrato): "Alrighty, so we've got Nutty Bars, Bazooka, Pez, Smarties, Pringles, Nilla wafers, apple, banana and trail mix." 
I'm saving my binge of this year's season for a full day treat so no spoilers here, but I couldn't pass up doing a Stranger Things Cocktail and took my cue from the primary munchies of season one. Since cocktails aren't for kids but the show is about kids, I went down a sort of Upside Down cocktail recipe trip of a maple waffle cola slushy, appropriately served up in a soda bottle with a straw. If you want to make these for kids simply replace the bourbon with a dash of maple syrup and add a few walnuts on top of the Eggos.

The

STRANGER THINGS Maple Walnut Bourbon, Coke & Waffle SLUSHY
INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 Oz Toasted Maple Walnut Bourbon Cold Cola Ice
Garnish: Eggo Waffle, Quartered, Homemade Maraschino Cherry, Biodegradable Paper Straw
Tools: Blender, Wooden Skewer
Glass: Soda Bottle
DIRECTIONS Pour the bourbon into your soda bottle then add enough cola to fill the bottle but ONLY to three quarters full. You must leave this room because you are then going to place the bottle in the freezer to turn it slushy. After an hour take the bottle out and give it all a stir with the skewer then place it back in the freezer. Another hour in the freezer should be enough for full slush (if not simply stir then put it back in the freezer again). You'll notice the drink has started to swell. Take the bottle out and give it a good stir (don't shake, unless you want bourbon and soda all over your face). Slip the waffle quarters and the cherry on your straw and pop this in the soda bottle and serve.
Stranger Things Day is celebrated every November 6th.

"Something’s coming. Something hungry for blood. A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness. It is almost here."

Updated 11/2021

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AGAVECILLIN - A Tequila and Mezcal Riff on the Penicillin Cocktail

Inspired by New York Bartender Sam Ross' (Attaboy, Milk & Honey) Penicillin Cocktail*, I took his smoky scotch and ginger cocktail and added a bit of mad science spirit to it for Halloween. After some inductive reasoning, I formed a hypothesis that the two Scotches could safely be replaced with Tequila and a smokey Mezcal. Additionally, I predicted blood orange was an acceptable variable to lemon in this cocktail equation. I then proceeded with my experiment.
After analyzation (I analyzed two), I conclude the end result a rousing success. You don't have to take my word for it, feel free to test my methods, the formula is below.

TheAGAVECILLINCocktail Experiment 
INGREDIENTS2 Oz. Espolon Blanco Tequila3/4 Oz. Fresh Blood Orange Juice1/2 Oz. Blood Orange Honey Syrup (recipe below)1/4 Tsp. Ginger Syrup
FLOAT: 1/4 Oz. Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal
Garnish: Candied Ginger, Orange Twist, Halloween Straw
Tools: Cocktail Shaker, Fine Metal Mesh Strainer, Funnel
Glass: Graduated Lab Cylinder
DIRECTIONSChill cylinder in the freezer.Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients, shake until ice cold.Using the funnel, strain into your lab cylinder then float the Mezcal on top.Garnish and serve.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

Once upon a time I used fresh ginger and muddled it with the juice but I discovered it was a lot easier and quicker to use a good quality homemade ginger syrup. I'm getting lazy in my old age, sue me.
BLOOD ORANGE HONEY SYRUPMix equal parts hot water and Honey Ridge Farms Honey Créme Blood Orange until blended.
My lab partner, as usual, was Bailey the Cat:

* Interestingly enough the Penicillin itself is a variation of a bourbon cocktail called the Gold Rush which, in it's turn, is pretty much a dressed up Whiskey Sour. Which, I figure, makes my version a Halloween costumed Tequila Sour.

Updated 10-2021 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

Dracula's BLOOD & SAND Halloween Cocktail

Did you know that Dracula was a Scotch drinker? Well, okay his favorite drink has hemoglobin in it, but once he's had his fill of blood and can relax a bit, he loves him a good old Blood & Sand cocktail made with Johnnie Walker Black Label. He particularly likes the fact that it complements his signature couture color of black. He even has his own special name for his personal vampire version of a classic Blood & Sand*, he calls it a Bloody and Sand. Isn't he just too cute?
Here's his recipe, I only got it from him through great personal sacrifice.

And just for that I'm NOT calling it Bloody & Sand.

Dracula's BLOOD & SAND COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS 1 Oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch  3/4 Oz. Sweet Vermouth 3/4 Oz. Cherry Heering 1/2 Oz. (1 Tbsp.) Fresh Blood Orange Juice 1/2 Oz. Pasteurized or Fresh Egg White  (optional).
Garnish: Homemade Maraschino Cherry, Orange Peel shaped like a Fang
Tools: Cocktail Shaker
Glass: Coupe
DIRECTIONS Chill glass in the freezer. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, pour in all of the ingredients and shake the dickens out of it. Rub interior of the glass bowl and rim with a bit of orange peel. Strain cocktail into the glass, garnish and serve.
* The original Blood and Sand Cocktail was inspired by and named for the 1922 Rudolph Valentino movie, Blood and Sand with the recipe first appearing in print in Harry Craddock's 1930 "The Savoy Cocktail Book".
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PEAR COCKTAILS

Pears are said to have more nutrients per calorie than calorie per nutrient. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be beneficial in cancer prevention, can lower age-related macular degeneration and help reduce risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. The skin contains boron, which helps our bodies retain calcium. Quercetin, also found in the skin, can help reduce blood pressure.
Pears are a member of the rose (Rosaceae) family of plants, which includes apples, cherries, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries as well as roses. They are sweet, juicy and perfect for use in cocktails as a puree, juice and edible garnish and, if you're looking for a way to make happy hour more healthy, pears are definitely a great way to do that.
PEAR COCKTAILS
CACTUS PEAR MARGARITA DRUNK SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET GOBBLED KNOB OH, PEAR! MARTINI PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR MARTINI PEAR CHAMPAGNE MARTINI PEARS HELENE MARTINI PRICKLY (CACTUS) PEAR MARTINI SPARKLING PEAR MARTINI
December is National Pear Month and National Pear Day is October 25th.
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PUMPKIN SPICED OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL

American holiday food has its own particular set of special olfactory triggers. The wafting aromas of the herbs and spices of special meals coming out of the kitchen from early fall to the New Year are a huge part of my own personal holiday memories. None more so than the aromas of a pumpkin pie baking in the oven.
In my house, the pumpkin pies started being baked the same time we started carving pumpkins for Halloween. Mom would pick up a pumpkin for each of us to carve plus a few extra for homemade pumpkin pies. These late October activities were the official start of our family holiday season and Schilling Pumpkin Pie Spice was, and still is, my personal holiday aroma harbinger. When those spices hit my nose I'm ready for scary Halloween costumes, the invasion of pilgrim Thanksgiving decorations and the impending arrival of Santa Claus and Christmas presents.
There is no pumpkin in this cocktail recipe, pumpkin has very little flavor itself and it's not necessary for triggering my holiday mode. All I need is a little pumpkin pie spice. And some bourbon.

ThePUMPKIN SPICEDOLD FASHIONED
INGREDIENTS1 Oz. Jim Beam Maple Bourbon1 Oz. Blended Whiskey1 Oz. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup(Recipe Below)2 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
Garnish: Dried Orange Slice, Homemade Bourbon Cherry
Glass: Old Fashioned
DIRECTIONSPrepare the Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup a few hours ahead so it will be cooled for happy hour.Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Pour in the ingredients. Stir until chilled then garnish and serve.
VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

PUMPKIN SPICED SIMPLE SYRUP1-1/2 C. Water1-1/2 C. Dark Brown Sugar2 Tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice1 Tbsp. Vodka
Bring ingredients to boil, immediately reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. This should keep in your refrigerator for several weeks or more thanks to the addition of the vodka.
You can also use this pumpkin spiced simple syrup in your holiday coffee or cocoa or pour it over ice cream or pound cake with some toasted pecans for a quick holiday dessert.
Pumpkin Spice Day is October  1st.
MORE OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL RECIPES
MORE PUMPKIN COCKTAILS

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PURGATORY PUNCH , An Apple & Bourbon Halloween Cocktail

Purgatory: A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven.
I'm going to make Purgatory a heck of a lot better place for all you sinners out there. Bring your own bourbon and apples though because the prices in Purgatory are hellacious and you'll need them for this deliciously evil Halloween cocktail.

The PURGATORY Apple Bourbon PUNCH COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS 2 Oz. Apple Juice 2 Oz. Whiskey 1 Oz. Calvados Apple Brandy 1 Pasteurized Egg White 1 Oz. Homemade Pomegranate Simple Syrup 3 Bags Wild Hibiscus Heart (Blue Pea Flower) Tea Ice
Garnish: 4 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters, Dried Apple Slice
Tools: Cocktail Shaker, Blender, Bar Spoon, Halloween Cocktail Pick
Glass: Old Fashioned
DIRECTIONS Ahead of time: Make the Homemade Pomegranate Syrup as directed BUT add the 3 bags of Heart Blue Pea Flower Tea into the water, Pom juice, sugar and lemon juice to create a dark, blue-black syrup. Dry shake (shake without ice) the all the ingredients, except the pomegranate simple syrup, until the volume has doubled, approximately 2 minutes (or blend on whip for 1 minute). Add ice to your cocktail shaker (or transfer to an ice filled cocktail shaker) and shake until chilled. Pour into your chilled glass, float the pomegranate simple syrup over the back of a bar spoon on top of the foam for a fun dripping blood pattern. As the syrup sinks to the bottom you get a black and gray layered cocktail with floating blood on top! Garnish with a few drops of Orange Bitters and a dried apple slice then serve.
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Fun Ways to Dress Up Your GIN & TONIC RECIPES

There's nothing more refreshing and simple than a classic gin and tonic, a simple highball of gin and tonic water over ice with a slice of lime for garnish. The army of the British East India Company took Scottish doctor George Cleghorn's discovery that quinine could prevent and treat malaria to heart and began to drink quinine water to prevent the disease.  Since it was bitter and unpleasant they took to adding a bit of sugar, their daily ration of gin and a squeeze of lime to their medicinal quinine around the early 1900s and the Gin and Tonic was born. Though tonic water today contains much less quinine, the G & T remains a classic British cocktail to this day. They even have a popular lemon garnish version known as the Evans.
Like anyone else, when it's hot and muggy outside I enjoy a good gin and tonic, in fact it doesn't need to be very hot or at all muggy. There is no specific recipe for a gin and tonic, it's a drink that is usually mixed to personal tastes so you can play with the ratios of gin to tonic for a stiffer or lighter alcoholic drink.  I have also found it's very fun to play with the basic recipe by adding some extra flavoring agents.  I particularly like to add cucumber, berries and herbs but I have been known to add teas, fun liqueurs and/or flavored simple syrups.
Fun Variations on the Classic GIN & TONIC
BLACKBERRY & BLACKCURRANT GIN & TONIC BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER & ELDERFLOWER GIN & TONIC CUCUMBER INFUSED GIN & TONIC  MINT GREEN TEA GIN & TONIC  WILD HIBISCUS GIN & TONIC
  The Gin and Tonic is a very forgiving and versatile cocktail. Try some of your own versions by adding favorite fruits, different sweeteners like favorite liqueurs or flavored honey, even some homemade flavored simple syrups.   International Gin & Tonic Day is October 19th, National Gin & Tonic Day is April 9th, National Gin Day is November 7th and World Gin Day is June 10th.
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HOMEMADE IRISH CREAM LIQUEUR RECIPE

Irish Cream Liqueur is a standard bar staple because it's used in so many cocktail recipes. It's one of the liqueurs you should always keep stocked at home because of it's versatility. It's one of those liqueurs that you can just splash into a cup of coffee for a little warm up or simply chill and sip.
When most people think Irish Cream Liqueur they think Bailey's but there are many other brands out there as well, including St. Brendan's and Carolans.  Of course, you can also make your own and below is my favorite recipe.
Homemade
IRISH CREAM LIQUEUR RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
1-2/3 Cup of Irish Whiskey
1 Cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
1 – 14 Oz. Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Tsp. Instant Coffee Granules
2 Tbsp. Good Quality Chocolate Syrup
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Tsp. Almond Extract

TOOLS:
Tools: Blender, measuring cups and spoons, decorative bottles for finished liquor, Personalized Labels.

SIMPLE DIRECTIONS
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about a minute.  Pour into your decorative bottles, seal, label and let infuse in the refrigerator for up to a month.

When you’re ready to use remember to shake before you pour.  This should keep in your fridge for several months – if it lasts that long.
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DESSERT COCKTAILS

DESSERT COCKTAILS

Why bake when you can shake?

I have a huge sweet tooth plus I'm lazy and don't like to bake much so I have a ton - seriously, a ton - of Dessert Cocktails. Many are directly inspired by famous or popular dessert recipes.  I've been creating original cocktail recipes since 2005 and when you combine that much time with my kind of sweet tooth you end up with a pretty hefty list.

To make it easier I've combined many of them in standard DESSERT CATEGORIES:
CAKE COCKTAILS CANDY COCKTAILS CARAMEL COCKTAILS CHEESECAKE COCKTAILS CHOCOLATE COCKTAILS COOKIE COCKTAILS CUPCAKE COCKTAILS ICE CREAM COCKTAILS PIE COCKTAILS TRUFFLE COCKTAILS SUNDAE COCKTAILS     If the recipe is not in one of my dessert cocktail categories, or happens to be a favorite of mine, you'll find it listed alphabetically BY DESSERT below: APPLE PIE COCKTAIL ANIMAL CRACKERS IN MY BOOZE BANANAS FOSTER BOOZY SHAKE BLACK FOREST CAKE COCKTAIL BOYSENBERRY RUM FLIP  BRANDY ALEXANDER  BOURBON ALEXANDER BROWN COW BEER FLOAT BROWNIE MARTINI  CAPPUCCINO MARTINI CHERRIES JUBILEE MARTINI CHERRY CLAFOUTIS MARTINI CHOCOLATE FONDUE COCKTAIL  CHOCOLATE PORTER BEER FLOATS CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY MARTINI COCONUT DAIQUIRI CREME BRULEE COCKTAIL  CREPES SUZETTE COCKTAIL DECADENT DUTCH COCKTAIL FLOAT DERBY PIE COCKTAIL DRUNK ELF ON A SHELF DRUNK RUSSIANS DRUNKEN BABY DOLE PINEAPPLE WHIPS  DRUNKEN OREO TRUFFLE COCKTAIL HOT FUDGE COCKTAIL GOLDEN CADILLAC GRASSHOPPER  PEACH MELBA BEER FLOAT PEACH MELBA MARTINI PEACHES & CREAM MARTINIPEACHES & CREAM SHOOTER PEARS HELENE MARTINI  PECAN PIE MARTINI PINEAPPLE DRUNK SIDE DOWN SMASH PINK SQUIRREL  RASPBERRY TRIFLE MARTINI SALTED CARAMEL APPLE COCKTAIL SAMOA COOKIE BOOZY SHAKE S'MORES COCKTAILS'MORES SHOOTER STICKY BUN MARTINI STRAWBERRY PARFAIT MARTINI STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MARTINI STRAWBERRY SUNDAY MARTINI STRAWBERRIES & CREAM MARTINI TIRAMISU MARTINI   Many of my EDIBLE COCKTAILS are dessert inspired as well.
National Dessert Day is October 14th.
Updated 9-2018 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY