Trick or Treat

Maybe it’s an age thing and sadly I fear this is very much a Radio 2 perspective but are we the only ones here who find it amazing just how Halloween has snuck up on us in recent years and has now seemingly become as popular as the more traditional celebrations.

Years gone by the evening would pass with a few children accompanied by embarrassed parents would knock on your door scream boo and hope to receive a biscuit or orange for their troubles. Of course there were the more sinister types who (in more modern parlance) would demand money with menaces scoffing at the offer of a Cadbury celebration whilst angling their eyes toward your car sat on the driveway.

On a site visit this week it seems every retailer is now offering some form of Halloween merchandise from a “wicked selection of ghoulish costumes for you and your little monsters” to the usual array of masks, face paint and other assorted accessories that no self respecting ghost would be seen without. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of a market opportunity you may argue and a credit the advertisers for persuading us to part with our cash on a product that has a life span of approximately 3 hours. That said we too have been out buying face paint but, then again as little gnomes outside in all weathers we do need freshening up from time to time.

It has even been suggested that Halloween falling on a Saturday this year was a greater opportunity for the whole family to join in the celebrations… Ahem what are we actually supposed to be celebrating?

Well apparently it is Hallows Eve the eve before the Day of the Dead, on the 1st of November – nice eh? Think I prefer the alternative Samhain roughly translated as “Summers End.

So however you decide to spend the evening we’d just like to wish you a happy Halloween and should you feel the need for something to ward off those evil spirits here’s a few recipes… Enjoy

Pumpkin martini
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Silk Cream Liqueur
2 oz vanilla vodka
1/2 oz pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup
1 tsp whipped cream
cinnamon stick for garnish
Preparation:
Pour the Silk Liqueur and vodka into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well.
Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup.
Shake again.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Smashing Pumpkin Martini
3 oz. Infused Spiced Pumpkin Vodka
1 oz. Amaretto
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
A good substitute for the infused vodka is 2 1/2 oz of Stoli Cinammon Vodka & 1/2 oz. of Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur.

Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Malibu Rum
- 3/4 oz. canned pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 oz. Kahlua
- 2 oz. with cold milk
Garnish: sprinkle of cinnamon

Mix ingredients in blender with ice and blend thoroughly; Pour into graham cracker-rimmed highball glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Pumpkin French 75
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
- 1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
- 1 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon juice
- 1 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
- Champagne

Shake all ingredients (except Champagne) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne and serve.