Wicked Concoctions For Your Monster Mash

By Nicole B. Brewer

Tempting wicked concoctions for Halloween - Blood Orange Web, Green Goblin, and Vampire's Elixir. Images courtesy of respective brands

Southampton - Eerie sounds and spooky sights are creeping out of the dark corners this weekend as Halloween comes to the area. Ghouls, goblins, vampires and vixens in the Hamptons are putting the final touches on costumes sure to scare the masses. Pass on the boring sherbet punch and hold the usual spirits that fall flat this Halloween and instead spice up your wicked holiday party with one of these sinister concoctions that promises to bring out the devil in you.

Make it a girls night in this Halloween with an ode to hunky vampires as you cool yourself down after drooling over them on the big and small screens with a Vampire's Elixir.

• 1.5 oz. SKYY Raspberry Infusions Vodka
• .75 oz. White Chocolate Liqueur
• 1 oz. Half and Half
• Strawberry Syrup

- Dress strawberry syrup on the inside and rim of a chilled martini glass. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Garnish with vampire teeth.

With a nod towards classic cocktails, head to the Deep South with a strong pour of bourbon with a Southern Halloween. These spooky olives take a little practice but are more than worth the effort as they surprise your friends.

Southern Halloween

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 3 oz. Orange Juice
• Juice of half lemon
• Ginger Ale
• Halloween Olives

- Mix bourbon, orange juice and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a tall glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with Halloween-faced olives. To make the Halloween olives, choose large unpitted green olives and work carefully with a sharp paring knife.

Either by the glass or in a punchbowl with smoking dry ice, a wicked glowing green cocktail like this Green Goblin gets the conversation going at your next Monster Mash.

• 2 oz. TY KU liqueur
• 2 oz. Coconut Rum
• Splash of Diet Sierra Mist

- Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a rocks glass. When making a punch style preparation, use one bottle each of TY KU and Coconut Rum and 2 cups of soda.

Calling all Mummies and Zombies! Slightly sweet vodka, exotic spices, and a splash of the unexpected bring the Dead Man-Go to life. Floating pomegranate seeds make this look like an evil Witch's Brew.

• 2 oz. 42 Below Honey Vodka
• 2 oz. Mango Nectar
• 4 slices of ginger root, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon of agave nectar
• 2 orange wedges
• Splash of raspberry liqueur
• Pomegranate seeds

- In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the ginger and orange, and add vodka, juice and nectar. Fill with ice, shake well and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a splash of raspberry liqueur and fresh pomegranate seeds.

Dead Man-Go

What's a party without a tempting libation that brings out your wickedly artistic side? The Bloody Orange Web is a classic mix of orange and chocolate with a dramatic presentation - astound your guests, even Martha Stewart would be impressed.

• 2 oz. Imported GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
• 1 oz. Brandy (such as Stock '84 VSOP)
• 1 oz. Blood Orange Puree
• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
• 1 (12 oz.) Bag of Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 Orange Truffle or Chocolate-Dipped Orange Slice
• 1 Plastic Spider, Optional

- Using 8 to 10 chocolate chips for one drink, heat in the microwave for 20 seconds until almost melted. Take chips out of the microwave and stir with a spoon until completely melted. Place the melted chocolate in a squeeze bottle and 'draw' a spider web on the inside of the martini glass and allow to harden (glass can be prepared in advance). In a shaker, add the rest of the ingredients and shake well. Pour into the decorated martini glass. Garnish with an orange truffle or chocolate dipped orange slice. Plastic spider is optional as an alternative garnish or decoration.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!