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.

Brain Hemorrhage

1 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 tsp. Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 drops Grenadine

Pour the Peach Schnapps into a large shot glass.
Slowly add the Bailey’s and top with the grenadine.

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.

1 1/4 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
5 oz. lemon-lime soda
1 slice lemon (optional)
1 slice lime (optional)

Add Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and lemon-lime soda in tall ice-filled glass

Garnish with lemon and lime slices, if desired

1 part 42 Below Vodka
1/2 part raspberry liqueur
1 part cranberry juice
1 part champagne or sparkling wine

Combine 42 Below Vodka, raspberry liqueur and juice in a champagne flute, and stir well. Top with champagne sparkling wine and serve.

I cannot believe that caramel apple shots were not on your halloween shot list. It is equal parts of apple pucker and butterscotch schnapps mixed in a shot glass.

Red Death

1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
1/2 oz. Sloe Gin
1/4 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Orange Juice
1/4 oz. Lime Juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with a cup of ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

2/3 oz Cinnamon Schnapps

1/3 oz Tabasco Sauce

Ingredients:

1 oz Apricot Brandy
5 oz Gin
1 oz Aperol
1 oz Peach Vodka
3 oz Dry Sherry

‘Tis the season to be jolly and plastered! You might as well get in the spirit the right way with these delicious Christmas Cocktails:

	The Grinch: Just one of these powerful Green drinks has been known to cause people to rhyme their sentences. “Not in a house, not with a mouse” 2 oz Midori .5 oz Lemon Juice Splash Sweet & Sour Garnish: Cherry
	The Pointsettia: This light & bubbly cocktail will quickly sneak up on ya! .5 oz Cointreau 1/2 Fill Champagne 1/2 Fill Cranberry Juice
	The Mintini: This is a minty treat for all those Candy Cane lovers! 3 oz Vodka 2 oz Creme de Minthe 1.5 oz Peppermint Schnapps Garnish: Candy Cane
	Mistletoe: This interesting concoction is actually quite delicious! Almost like a bubbley Pommegranate Margarita! 1 oz Tequila .5 oz Triple Sec Splash Pommegranate Juice Fill: Champagne
	Black Santa: A festive spin on the classic Black Russian! 1 oz Kahlua .05 oz Vodka .25 oz Peppermint Schnapps
	Christmas in a Cup It’s time to relive those college days and whip out the red keg cup! This is a good one! 1.5 oz Spiced Rum 1 oz Aftershock (cinnamon schnapps) Fill: Dr Pepper
	JagerNog It doesn’t get much more gross than this! 1/2 Fill Jagermeister 1/2 Fill Egg Nogg Sprinkle Cinnamon

If you are booking Bartending events this holiday season, simply present these drink selections to your client as some various options for Christmas Cocktails.

This Holiday Season is your chance to make some serious money at all of the parties you will be booking! Don’t forget to check out my other blog post on the Christmas Survival Guide for Bartenders! I wish you the best of luck this December!

Cheers,

James Wedmore
Bartend4Profit.com

P.S. Looking for even MORE Christmas drinks? Check out: http://www.the-authentic-bartender.com/Christmas.html