Ask a Bartender: What Cocktails Should I Have at My Halloween Party?

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Pam Martin, GoLocalWorcester Ask A Bartender Columnist

You are shopping for neighborhood trick-or-treaters, or planning to dip into your own kids’ stash, chances are you’ve got your eye on some fun size candy this week. From candy corn to pumpkin-shaped peanut butter cups, and all that’s in between, you can’t help but slip a bag or two into your shopping cart. What is better than a candy binge? A candy cocktail! Take your favorite candy and incorporate it into a theme-appropriate drink recipe for your own Halloween party. Here are a few delicious Halloween candy drink concoctions to try this weekend.

1. Candy Corn Craze – Whipped vodka to start and whipped cream to finish. If you are not in the mood to layer but want to make sure you have a candy corn drink on hand, this is a great solution. Mix 1-2 ounces of whipped vodka with sour mix, pineapple juice, and just a few drops of grenadine. Pour and top with whipped cream. That’s it, really.

2. Pop Rock Rims – Dip the rim of your cocktail glasses in a tart liqueur, such as watermelon Puckers. Follow up with another dip in a plate of Pop Rocks. You can fill the glass any fruit-flavored mixed drink. You might want to opt for something less tart than what you have on the rim to give your guests an easy to sip balance.

3. Loaded Gummy Bears – Doesn’t get much more simple than this. Pour a bag of gummy works, or gummy bears in a shallow bowl. Cover with your choice of rum or vodka. Let them soak overnight. Serve as you see fit. Use them as garnish. Stick a toothpick in them and offer them as alternatives to Jell-o shots. Whatever tickles your fancy.

4. Candy Shot Glasses – Remember when you were a kid and you were so disappointed when you showed up to the house that handed out that unlabeled hard candy that you were to skeptical to try. Now is the time to try them! For this recipe you need to head to a local craft stores or overnight an order from Amazon. That is the maximum amount of effort you need for these. You start with shot glass molds. Once you have those it’s smooth sailing. Simply fill them with hard candy (I prefer Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers) and bake on 350F, chill, fill, and enjoy. Pick and choose your colors to meet your theme-obsessed desire.

5. Peanut Butter Cup Martini – Liquid dessert that won’t disappoint. Mix 1-2 ounces of vodka, you can gamble with a vanilla flavored-vodka but it’s best to leave this alone. Mix in Godiva liqeuer, Cream de Cacao (white if you can find it), and peanut butter simply syrup, which is simply a mixture of peanut butter, water, sugar. Garnish with a peanut butter cup or two.

If you are down to the wire it never fails to simply infuse a mason jar of vodka with your favorite snack. Skittles and Sour Patch Kids are always popular, and no one minds having a few extra for sober snacking.