The Black Tie

So apparently there are these things called "movies" that people see in a gigantic room on a ginormous screen at a "theater". I'm not sure who these people are, but they must enjoy this activity because there is an awards show devoted to the very best movies from the year. I thought the only movies out there happened on Friday nights while eating pizza and playing Candy Land. And they typically involve animated characters and musical dialogue. No?

Well, if you are fancy enough to watch the Oscars this weekend, you should make it a real event by whipping up one of these Black Tie cocktails. This is basically a slightly sweet martini made with black vodka, Créme de Cassis, and an egg white for a little added drama.

Enjoy with popcorn, potato chips, or fancy two-bite appetizers while sticking your pinky out in a delicate manner and judging red carpet dresses. (You know you're going to!)

Black Tie

Makes 1 cocktail

Total time: 5 minutes

• 1 1/2 ounces black vodka
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• Scant 1/2 ounce Créme de Cassis
• 1 egg white

1. Combine all the ingredients except black vodka in a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice for 10 seconds until frothy.
2. Add a few ice cubes and shake until chilled for an additional 10 seconds.
3. Strain into a glass and set aside.
4. Rinse cocktail shaker and fill with a handful of ice. Add black vodka and shake until chilled.
5. Pour the vodka into a chilled martini glass, then pour the frothy egg mixture over the vodka.
6. Enjoy!

*Notes: Adding the black vodka after shaking the egg white helps keep a more clean, white foam for the top of the drink. The Créme de Cassis may create a slightly rosey color to the foam, but it won't be as noticeable.

Witch's Cold Brew

Happy Halloween, friends! I don't know about you, but with all the stuff to do today I could really use a pick-me-up. Or at least something to look forward to when the madness of trick-or-treating is over. Witch's Cold Brew is cold brewed coffee spiked with some cinnamon simple syrup and vanilla rum. It's a simple concoction that is made even better by the addition of nutmeg scented whipped cream. So, face the evening head on and whip up one of these beauties when you are ready to settle in for the night!

Witch's Cold Brew

Makes 2 cocktails

• 2 cups cold brew coffee (for ease, pick some up from your local coffee shop)
• 2 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1 ounce cinnamon simple syrup
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus more for garnish

1. In a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, combine the coffee, vanilla vodka, and simple syrup.
2. Stir until chilled and strain into two tall, ice-filled glasses.
3. Whip the cream and the nutmeg with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
4. Finish the drinks with a dollop of the cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Cinnamon Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 cinnamon sticks

1. Combine the sugar, water and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer the syrup until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
3. Strain and cool before storing in the fridge or using in a cocktail.

The Great Pumpkin Float

Brad and I went on a date a while back and had some locally brewed beer. I ordered a Shake Chocolate Porter from Boulder Beer and immediately new I had to make a beer float with it. The Great Pumpkin Float is a combination of chocolatey beer with a slight coffee flavor and deliciously spiced Horchata Ice Cream from Tillamook. This is the easiest cocktail you will ever make and it is perfect for last-minute Halloween parties or as a treat while you watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (you know you want to)! 

There isn't much of a recipe for this (beer + ice cream = done) but here ya go:

The Great Pumpkin Float

• 1 bottle dark, smooth beer (chocolate porter is my preference)
• 2 scoops Tillamook Horchata Ice Cream or cinnamon ice cream

1. Scoop the ice cream into a large beer mug.
2. Slowly pour the beer over the ice cream.
3. SLURP.

Ichabod Crane

One of my favorite Halloween stories is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The spooky story is one that conjures images of foggy forest pathways, a full moon with dark, wispy clouds creeping over its surface, and that feeling of someone chasing you in the pitch black of night. This cocktail brings that image to life. The rosemary gives a woodsy appeal in the form of a garnish and a sweet syrup. The dry ice provides the fog. And the bourbon...well, does one really need a reason to have bourbon? It seemed an appropriate choice. 

In the end, this is really just a twist on the classic Old Fashioned. A sturdy, steadfast drink to calm even the jumpiest of nerves on Halloween night. Ichabod could have used one or two of these, don't you think?

*Note: You can use the dry ice but it is not required. If you do use it, make sure no one gets it in their mouth. Ouch.  

Ichabod Crane

Makes 1 cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
• 1-2 drop angostura bitters
• 1 teaspoon rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
• orange twist
• rosemary sprig
• small piece of dry ice (optional)

1. Put the simple syrup and bitters in an old fashioned glass and stir to combine. Fill the glass with ice and add the bourbon.
2. Add the dry ice, if using, and push to the bottom of the glass with a stir stick or spoon.
3. Garnish with an orange twist and a sprig of rosemary.

Rosemary Simple Syrup

Makes 1 cup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large rosemary sprigs

1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, add 2 of the rosemary sprigs and barely simmer for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat, add the remaining 2 rosemary sprigs and allow to cool. Once cooled, transfer the syrup with the rosemary sprigs to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. Strain before using the syrup.

*Syrup will stay fresh for 1 week in the refrigerator.