This Week’s Drink – Mali-boo Witches Brew

This one was sent over by the nice folks at Malibu Rum (actually their PR Agency). We almost made it to the Distillery in Barbados, but didn’t make it past the Mount Gay Distillery. There are resons for this best lest for another time. Barbados is said to be the birthplace of Rum, having produced it for more than 350 years – WOW. Barbadian rum is much lighter than other rums, which helps give Malibu it’s distictive flavor, the coconut helps too.

1 1/4 oz. Malibu rum
3/4 oz. white crème de cacao
1/4 oz. grapefruit juice
3/4 oz. orange juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and serve into martini glass, garnish with Halloween gummy worms.

Black Vodka for Halloween Cocktails

Mixing a Halloween cocktail that looks dark and sinister without the aid of sweet additives like grape gelatin is a challenge. Enter black vodka.

You won’t find American black vodka, because U.S. government regulations say domestic distillers can’t call a spirit vodka unless it is “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.”

Other countries aren’t as strict in their definitions. Among the international black vodka offerings are Russia’s Eristoff wild berry vodka and Znapps black licorice vodka from Sweden.

In North America, the most popular and easy-to-find black vodka is Blavod. The UK import is unflavored, making it a versatile base. Catechu, an extract of the Acacia shrub commonly used in astringents and breath fresheners, is what gives Blavod its black color.

Though its color makes it fun for parties, this is no novelty liquor. It is smooth, with a slightly spicy finish. Like most imports, it tastes stronger and more complex than typically neutral-tasting American vodkas.

For the most dramatic presentation, layer drinks made with black vodka. Place the ice and mixer in the glass first. Then slowly pour the vodka on top over the back of a spoon and serve right away. When making drinks that need to be shaken or muddled, keep in mind that mixers and liquor can either lighten the drink or turn it a muddy brown.

Drink of the Week will feature several Halloween cocktails using black vodka, but here’s a simple one to start with.

Screwed-Up Screwdriver

1/4 cup ice
1/2 cup orange or tangerine juice
1 1/2 ounces black vodka
1 black licorice twist, for garnish

Place ice in a highball glass. Pour juice into glass. Pour vodka over the back of a cocktail spoon into glass so it sits on top of juice. Slice ends off a licorice twist and use as a straw.

2 oz. Tia Maria
Cola

Pour tia maria into an old fashioned glass filled with ice, fill with cola and mix.