Above: Zombie Cocktail available at Ivy Soho Brasserie
We love a reason to celebrate as much as the next person but please, can someone explain when Halloween became such a thing? Not in the US where it’s always been a cause for big-time celebration but right here in what used to be buttoned-up, downright sensible Blighty?
Call us old fashioned but the idea of donning a ghoulish outfit, smothering ourselves in white make up and fake blood in an attempt to scare the bejesus out of people, or on the flip side, dressing up in some bizarre comedy outfit doesn’t quite rock our boat. But the fact that it gives us an excuse to try out an array of new, creative drinks definitely does. So yes, we will be joining in the Halloween shenanigans tonight. Just don’t expect us to dress up…
Stay in and greet the trick or treaters by mixing things up at home:
Zombie Cocktail
35ml Brugal 1888 Rum
12.5ml apricot brandy
12.5ml lime juice
50ml pineapple juice
12.5ml grenadine
Method:
Shake ingredients over ice. Strain into a Hurricane glass.
Casa Candy
50ml Casamigos Bianco
15ml fresh lemon juice
7ml simple syrup
7ml orgeat
Tonic water
Method:
Combine all ingredients except tonic water into a shaker. Shake and strain into a Tulip glass. Add fresh ice and top with tonic water. Garnish with cotton candy (don’t let it touch liquid).
If you don’t fancy making them yourself, both cocktails available at Ivy Soho Brasserie today.
Or go out and get spooked out in the bar:
31 October: Death’s Door Gin Tour
If you’re going to do Halloween, do it properly… Who better than Death’s Door Gin to put their name to a ghost tour that takes in walks through spooky lanes and alleyways as well as some delicious gin cocktails in three top London bars? This one, led by paranormal expert, Jennifer Melmore, definitely gets a thumbs up. Book your tickets sharpish for tonight’s event here
Here’s Johnny at Lobby Bar at The London EDITION
31 October: Village East. Less about the cocktails, more about Hallo-wine. Pippa Penny will guide you through her pick of five wines, all chosen to warm your cockles on an autumn evening. Tickets, £10 per person.
Until 4th November: Lobby Bar at The London EDITION. Spooky twists on classics include Here’s Johnny, an adaptation of a New York Sour featuring Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, egg white and lemon juice with a syringe of Tawny Port served on the side. There’s also Fallen Leaves, aka a Pumpkin Daiquiri made from Bacardi Carta Blanca and pumpkin purée.
Until 4th Nov: Rail House Cafe, Village East and Riding House Cafe. On the menu: The Ghost (orange-infused Appleton rum, pomegranate juice and lime); Witch’s Broth (Esplon Tequila, Koko Kanu Coconut Rum and orange juice), and Devil’s Eye (vodka, lychee liqueur and freshly muddled chilli).
