Jack-O-Lantern

Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year for me and being able to use this theme in cocktails is part of the reason.

By using fresh ingredients, you can create a drink that not only tastes great but looks good, too. Any orange coloured cocktail can be used to reflect the occasion. I used one of my favourites, the Harvey Wallbanger, with fresh orange, sweet vanilla and Russian Vodka.

Ingredients:

1oz Russian Standard Vodka

¼ oz Galliano Liqueur

3-5 oz Fresh Orange Juice

Garnish with an orange wheel and lime peel

Method:

In a short glass, add ice, then pour in Russian Standard Vodka and orange juice leaving space for the garnish. Float Galliano on the top and use the garnish to “cap” the drink. To make the garnish, cut a thin slice of a whole orange. Peel a segment of lime and cut it into a small thin strip. Fold the strip till it is curved and place one end into the middle of the orange slice.

Tips:

You can even use a short green straw with a flexible neck instead of the lime peel to create the look of the Jack-O-Lantern. This also makes it easier to drink, although, drinking straight from the glass I feel is better because the smell of the fresh orange wheel and sweet vanilla Galliano liqueur is more intense when your nose is closer to the cocktail.

Use an orange for garnish and buy orange juice in a container as long as it is “not from concentrate.” Concentrated juices don’t result in the best tasting cocktails.

Omit the alcohol for a kid friendly version.