Chronicle Editor
IN just a few weeks some cultures will be celebrating Halloween. Halloween is a celebration observed in many countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints’ Day.
According to literature it begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithfully departed.
So, there are different ways of celebrating or observing the day. Trick or Treat is the most common and perhaps what most people believe Halloween is about.
Trick-or-treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries.
During the evening of Halloween, on October 31, people in costumes move from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase “trick or treat”. Well, in Zimbabwe we seldom celebrate Halloween. Nonetheless it will be a time for you “tricksters, ancients and witches” to come out in all your form and celebrate the day.
So ideally with this column you know the direction of the story.
Here’s a dark cocktail to venerate the occasion. I call it the witches brew but it is known as the black widow cocktail.
It is a sleek and sinister Halloween beverage with a sharp bite.
It’s a smooth blackcurrant liqueur fused with vodka and coffee-flavoured Kahlua. It makes an unforgettable and deliciously sweet cocktail.
Halloween is ideally a night of spooky celebrations.
What best way to plan the night but to get out your wizardry and witchery tracts.
I have never been one to dress up for any Halloween occasion but now I understand there is an event planned out for that particular day.
I shan’t mention the venue but I will talk about my recipe.
For a while I have been trying out my own cocktail recipes and this time, I plan on going big with my Halloween brew!
This year I’ve been testing my own drinks and this simple vodka Halloween cocktail is as delicious as it is beautiful.
The rich colour comes from using activated charcoal, which creates a deep black texture that also detoxifies.
I can’t exactly confirm or deny, but I think the activated charcoal makes this a better cocktail option than most.
I mean you want to get nipped and be sober at the same time, as well as avoid a hangover so try this out.
Personally, I love vodka. I am not a gin person, whiskey I do but I love the RUSSIAN that comes out after a few shots!
My cocktail is composed of a unique mix and simply shaken in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and then strained into a glass.
I always prefer to use high-quality vodka but you can try any vodka for this.
A sweet, red liqueur, perhaps strawberry will do the trick. But try to add a blackcurrant flavour to jazz it up.
I also love to add some finesse of brandy. It flavours up and also contributes to the colour.
Pop a few stones of activated charcoal, and tasteless. Basically, it gives the cocktail the deep black colour as well as helps you detoxify. Whip it up with some ginger beer, it gives the cocktail a tiny sparkle and an extra sweet taste.
There are only two steps to making this devilishly delicious black Halloween cocktail.
Pour the vodka and brandy, add the activated charcoal, and Kahlua into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and then strain the beverage.
To add the jazz flavour garnish, it with a splash the top of the cocktail with ginger beer and garnish with blackberries.
There’s a cocktail from yours truly.
Till next week, have a blissful and tipsy weekend.
If you have an establishment and think your drink has what it takes to be profiled, WhatsApp me on 0772337433. REMEMBER alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 and let’s not forget to drink responsibly.
Online Reporter