It’s October and it’s almost Halloween. That means it’s time for some scary drinks. Except this isn’t really a scary drink. This cocktail is more about celebrating the sweeter side of Halloween. Specifically the candy.
Don’t worry. This isn’t a super sweet drink that will make you run for your insulin. It’s sweet while staying well-balanced and complex. Not to mention that it’s simple to make.
The base liquor for this is the amazing Vitae Modern gin. I’ve struggled with this gin in the past because it does express itself as sweeter than most gins. It has always felt like butterscotch to me. I learned later that the base spirit for their gin is from sweet molasses, which definitely explains the profile. It also makes for a great base in a cocktail that celebrates Halloween candy.
The other key ingredient for me is my new favorite liqueur from Tempus Fugit Spirits, the Creme de Banane. I can’t sing the praises of this liqueur enough. The flavor or ripe, roasted bananas shines. It’s rich and not too sweet while keeping a true banana flavor throughout. Adding that to the Vitae Modern gin lets us play with flavors that are common to both.
Of course knowing me you can guess that I’m going to want something bitter in the mix. Aperol fits really well by adding a little complexity while not fighting against the rest of the drink. Some of my more aggressive amari resulted in a mish-mash of flavors that don’t work well together.
When you add it all together you get a simple drink that’s accessible to novice cocktail enthusiasts while also being interesting for the cocktail veterans. I hope you give it a try and please let me know what you think. I also considered adding some allspice to the mix but I didn’t want to make it too much like a Thanksgiving drink. But that could be amazing. Maybe next month.
The Gin O'Lantern
A well-balanced cocktail the celebrates Halloween candy while not being too sweet. A great drink for new cocktail lovers and cocktail veterans alike.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Vitae Spirits Gin
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1/2 oz Tempus Fugit Creme de Banane
Instructions
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Add all the ingredients with ice and stir until chilled.
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Serve up in a glass of your choice.
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Garnish with some curled line or orange peel if you want to make it for Halloween.
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Enjoy!