Spooky Rum Cocktails for Halloween

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     All drinks featured in this section were previously published at: 

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                  Jack-O-Lantern

Several Halloween drink recipes use the name jack-o-lantern. Yet, few are as simple or eye-catching as this one. While it’s not a pumpkin-flavored cocktail, it certainly looks like one. Inside this glass, you’ll find a pleasant drink of cognac, orange liqueur, and orange juice topped with ginger ale. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. Cognac
  • 1/2 oz. Brandy-based Orange Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • 2 to 3 oz. Ginger Ale, to taste
  • Optional garnish: Orange wheel with a lime “stem”

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake the cognac, orange liqueur, and orange juice. Strain into a large old-fashioned glass over fresh ice. Top with the ginger ale.

                   Zombie

There are many cocktail recipes named for things that go bump in the night. A favorite among those is the classic zombie, which is a little different than the zombie punch. Both are old-school tropical cocktails, and either of the fruit-filled, rum-heavy drinks will keep the party going all night.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Light Rum
  • 1 oz. Gold Rum
  • 1 oz. Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
  • 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, from 1/2 Lemon
  • 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice, from 1 Large Lime
  • 1 oz. Passion Fruit Syrup
  • 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
  • 1 Dash Aromatic Bitters
  • 1 oz. 151-Proof Dark Rum
  • Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, pour the light and dark rums, pineapple and citrus juices, passion fruit syrup, simple syrup, and bitters. Add the high-proof rum now, or reserve it for a float. Fill the shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.  Optionally, float the high-proof rum on top of the drink by slowly pouring it over the back of a bar spoon.  Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

         Swamp Water Surprise

Ingredients for the optional “Plasma”:

  • 1 (3-oz.) box flavored gelatin
  • 1 C. Water, boiling
  • 3/4 C. Vodka

Ingredients for the cocktail:

  • 2 oz. Rum
  • 1/4 oz. Orange or Blue Curaçao Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbsp. Gelatin “Plasma” (see above)

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the rum, curaçao, and lemon and orange juices.  Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.If making the “plasma: in a mixing bowl, dissolve the gelatin in boiling water.  Stir in the vodka and set the bowl in the freezer.  Just before the gelatin sets up completely, whip it with a whisk to form lumps.  Let it set for at least 5 minutes.  Carefully spoon the “plasma” into the cocktail.