Ask a Bartender: What Should I Drink This October?

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Sunday, October 04, 2015

Pam Martin, GoLocalWorcester Ask a Bartender Columnist

This week social media reminded me that so many of my friends and acquaintances are “so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers”. October is great. The air is cool and crisp without the threat of snow, football is in full swing, there are still a good amount of fairs and festivals to look forward to, and no one has asked me if I want to be apart of their Secret Santa exchange yet. The drink menu in October is also fantastic. It’s a great time of year to enjoy pumpkin and apple flavors fresh from the farm. Whether you are drinking at home or at a bar, here are a few great drink options to try this month.

Do More With Your Pumpkin Beer

• Loaded Pumpkinhead – Take the Shipyard Pumpkinhead up a notch. Add in a shot of Absolut or Stoli Vanilla. With a rim, as if that was even a question. If the vanilla feels too basic for you, substitute it for a shot of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. A little spice to keep you warm.
• Pumpkin Bomb of Sorts – The Autumn imitation of an Irish Car Bomb. Pumpkin beer to start, followed by a mixed shot of Bailey’s Original Irish Cream, and Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum.
• Skip the bomb part and simply add a dash of Bailey’s to the top of your beer if you are feeling more reserved.
• Bruised Pumpkin – If you are familiar with the Bruised Apple, just substitute for Shipyard or another pumpkin-flavored beer. Half Guinness, half pumpkin beer. A great hangover drink before Sunday football starts.  

 

Candy Apple Everything

• Caramel Apple Sangria – An adult candy-apple option without having to endure a long line of screaming kids at the local fair. Not to mention, it’s a cleaner option. Pinot Grigio is the best base for this sangria. This is a great opportunity to put to use all of the apples you picked at the orchard before you realized you don’t actually want to make Apple Crisp, you’d rather just drink. I prefer Honeycrisp apples because they have an added sweet flavor. Pour the sangria, add the apples, and mix in Smirnoff’s Kissed Caramel vodka. Delicious. Top it off with cinnamon and orange zest. If your spice cabinet is nearby, try a dash of allspice, or reach for a clove or two.
• Bourbon Cider Splash – Pick up a bottle of Maker’s Mark, or another bourbon of your choice. It starts off as a basic Maker’s and ginger ale, but it ends up far more exciting. Mix in apple sider, a splash or two of Cointreau, and a dash of cinnamon. Squeeze a lemon slice over it before stirring. If you are looking to impress, or just take it up a notch, consider a caramel cinnamon-sugar rim and an apple wedge. A snack and a drink in one.

 

Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

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