Infused: Top 10 Best Halloween Cocktails 2013

Oh my... it is that time again.

The time when the air grows chilly, leaves turn and fireplaces are lit.

In short ~ Autumn.

Along with the change of season comes thoughts of Halloween and all it entails: parties, costumes and fun. Fun even trickles down to food and drinks.

Once again I have invited experts in the world of spirits, wine and beer, including sommeliers, mixologists, restaurants, pubs, distillers and manufacturers to send their Halloween-inspired cocktails.

The response was swift with recipes of devilish brews, scary shots and orange concoctions dedicated to the holiday of fear and frivolity. The list was compiled and narrowed down to the ones most in spirit with the holiday and representing uniqueness, great taste and visual appeal.

I present to you the...

Top 10 Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2013

(1) Screamsicle

(see image above)
Who: Cascade Ice

Where: Everett, WA

Website: CascadeIceWater.com

Inspiration: Screams heard in the night.
Recipe: Mix 6 oz Cascade Ice Orange Mango with 1 oz of orange vodka and 2 oz of whipped cream-flavored vodka. Strain and pour into martini glass.

(2) Bourbon for Apples

Who: Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room

Where: Indianapolis, IN

Website: ChefJosephs.com
Twitter:  @chefjosephs

Inspiration: I drew on my memories from my childhood when my sister and I went to Halloween parties which usually included a fun game of Bobbing for Apples ~ thus Bourbon for Apples was born.

Recipe: Mix 3 TB of Apple Complex Simple Syrup, 1 full shot of Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon, 3 oz Cava, Float a garnish of Apple and Cherry Serve in a Champagne flute rimmed with equal parts pumpkin spice and sugar. (Complex Simple Syrup: Sugar, Water, Apple Juice, Grann
y Smith Apples, Pink Peppercorn, Sea Salt, Basil and Apple Pie Spice)

(3) Mr. Burgundy

 Who:  Deussen Global Communications ~ Sobieski Vodka

Where: Poland

Website: VodkaSobieski.com
Twitter: @Sobieski_Vodka
Inspiration: With its sequel approaching ~ the most popular Halloween costume this year is sure to be Ron Burgundy of Anchorman (2004) fame.

Recipe: 1½ oz Sobieski Cytron Vodka, ½ oz fresh lime juice, ½ oz pomegranate juice. Shake ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass. Garnish with orange. 

(3) Casper's Cosmo

Who: Bobby “G” Gleason, Beam’s Master

Where: Clermont, KY
Website: JimBeam.com

Twitter:  @JimBeamOfficial
Inspiration: The ghost of Jacob Beam, founding distiller of Jim Beam Bourbon

Recipe: 2 parts Jacob’s Ghost White Whiskey, 1 part John DeKuyper & Sons O3 Liqueur (orange liqueur), 1 part white cranberry juice, ½ part fresh lime juice. Build all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass, shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with cherries.

(4) German Ghoul

Who: Sidney Frank Importing Co.'s Mixologist Todd Richman

Where: New Rochelle, NY

Website: SidneyFrank.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/Barenjager

Inspiration: The flavors of Halloween's season
Recipe: 1½ parts Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon infused with cinnamon*, ¾ part fresh lemon juice, 1 part apple cider. Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. *Infuse Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon-add 4 cinnamon sticks to 1 L of Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon 24 hours before use.

(6)The Harvestini

Who: Oliver Winery

Where: Bloomington, IN

Website: OliverWinery.com
Twitter: @OliverWinery
Facebook: Facebook.com/oliverwinery

Inspiration: Celebrating the harvest season
Recipe:  Muddle frozen cherries with 1 tsp mulling spices. Pour 3 oz Oliver Zinfandel 2010, 1 oz orange juice, and 1 oz cranberry cocktail juice over cherries. Stir and pour over ice. 

(7) Dead Glamour

Who: Savory Cocktails' Greg Henry

Where: NY

Website: SippitySup.com
Twitter: @SippitySup

Inspiration: I don’t think glamour ever dies. It certainly never goes out of style. But don’t let all that glamour fool you. This drink has a dark side, I told you it was sexy.
Recipe: 1 shot /45 ml /1 ½ fl oz tequila repasado, 1 pony shot/30 ml/1 fl oz Campari, ½ pony shot/15 ml /½ fl oz Santa Maria al Monte amaro or other herbaceous amaro, 2 dashes Scrappy's cardamom bitters, 1 orange twist, as garnish. Combine tequila, Campari, amaro and bitters in a mixing glass half-filled with ice. Gently stir until chilled and properly diluted, about 20 seconds. Julep strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist, its oil expressed onto the surface and rubbed onto the rim of the drink then dropped on top, peel side up. Makes 1.

(8) Pumpkin Patch Julep

Who: Alibi American Whiskey

Where: U.S.

Website: AlibiAmerica.com

Inspiration: Where the Great Pumpkin is found every Halloween.
Recipe: 2 oz Alibi American Whiskey, 1.5 oz homemade pumpkin butter (see below recipe), 1/2 oz orgeat syrup, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass or hollowed pumpkin. Garnish with a slice of pear, a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Pumpkin Butter: makes 2 pints3-4 pound sugar pumpkin (aka pie pumpkin), 1 chopped sweet apple, skins removed, 3/4 cup demerara sugar (sugar in the raw), 4 tablespoons real maple syrup (not maple-flavored syrup!), 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cloves, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp sea salt. Cut stem off pumpkin and slice lengthwise. Clean out inside of pumpkin and brush with neutral oil (canola). Roast pumpkin facedown in preheated oven at 350F for approximately 45-55 min. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove skin with spoon. Add pumpkin meat, apple, sugar, maple syrup, and spices into blender. Blend until smooth. Spoon mixture into medium sized pot. Make sure there is enough room to top of pot for boiling. Cover with lid and prop open a bit with wooden spoon so that steam can escape. Over med-high heat, bring to a low boil. Reduce to low-med heat and cook for 10 minutes until mixture reaches desired thickness. Cool completely and stir in lemon juice and salt.

(9) Devil in Disguise

Who: Mixologist Micaela Piccolo
Where: NYC, NY
Twitter: @Cabodiablo
Inspiration: Its rich coffee jolt and reassuring tequila keeps you dancing with the devil long after Halloween’s wildest celebrations finish.
Recipe: 2 oz. Cabo Diablo, ¾ oz. cherry liqueur ~  Build in a mixing glass, add ice and stir. Garnish with colored salt rim.

(10) Pumpkin Margarita

Who: Crema Restaurante/Partida

Where: New York City
Website: CremaRestaurante.com ~ PartidaTequila.com
Inspiration: This cocktail honors the pumpkin, what we believe is one of the most iconic symbols of Halloween. For a holiday surrounded by pumpkin-spiced everything (lattes, cakes, soups and even sausage) it's a wonder pumpkin cocktails aren't the No. 1 drink. We hope this cocktail changes that.
Recipe: 2 oz Partida Reposado Tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice, splash of pumpkin puree, sesame seeds, lime wedge: Rim a cocktail glass with lime juice and sesame seeds. Mix ingredients well in a shaker with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Images furnished by entries

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

February 2013 Indiana Winery Events Offer Chocolate, Knitting, Massage & More

February 2013 Indiana Winery Events

Ongoing

Wednesdays New Day Meadery, Indianapolis,  massages are offered 6-9 pm ~ $10 for a 10-minute massage and a glass of cider or honey wine.

Ongoing

Fridays and Saturdays, Chateau Thomas, Nashville tasting room features live music 7-10 pm. A wide selection of gourmet cheeses is offered to pair with wines.

February 2, 9, 16, & 23

Chateau Thomas, Plainfield, features its singer/songwriters series in February. Musicians play 2-4 pm Saturdays, except for Feb. 16 when the guest musicians play 1-3 pm.

February 2 & 3

Mallow Run Winery, Bargersville, hosts its Soup & Wine weekend. Superbowl Chili and great music will be served.

February 6

New Day Meadery, Indianapolis, hosts Ladies Night 6-9 pm. A night of relaxing, socializing, shopping and massagess.

February 8

Join the new Winzerwald Evansville tasting room for the Mardi Gras Crawl. Nearly 20 businesses invite you for an evening of fun at area restaurants, Winzerwald Tasting Room, the new Tin Man Brewery and more. For details visit Winzerwald Winery Evansville Tasting Room or call 812-423-2427.

February 9

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Grateful Goat Vineyard & Winery, Palmyra. Me and You perform Noon-4 pm. 

February 9

The great Schocolade Celebration fest returns to Lanthier Winery, Madison. Bring your sweetheart for cocoa treats of all types and tastes. Gather friends, family or someone special for a sweet day of chocolate, wine and laughter. Discover this chocolate frenzy just in time for a valentine getaway. Free admission-event open 11 am-3 pm. Winery open 11 am-5 pm. This event is adults only.

February 9 & 10

Mallow Run Winery, Bargersville, hosts Soup & Wine weekend. Mardi Gras Jambalaya and great music will be served.

February 9&10, 16&17

Indian Creek Winery, Georgetown, offers a free chocolate fondue tasting. Enjoy chocolate and wine.

February 9&10, 16&17

Grab your sweetie and swing into Monkey Hollow Winery, Saint Meinrad, for chocolates paired with a selection of our award-winning wines. And just in time for Valentine's Day, the release of the sensational Strawberry Wine as well as the return of bodacious Blueberry Wine.

February 9&10, 16&17 

Madison Vineyards Estate Winery ~ Bed & Breakfast, Madison, hosts its B &B Valentine Dinner Package. Stay 2 nights in the B&B, enjoy wine and appetizers Friday evening, fresh flowers and chocolates in your room, a four-course dinner with wine at the winery Saturday, February 16 or a gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant on the 9. Advance Reservations Only.

February 14

Chateau Thomas Winery, Plainfield, hosts its annual Valentine's Day dinner Thursday February 14 at 7 pm. It includes a four-course dinner and wine pairing. Reservations are required by calling 317-837-9463.

February 17

Oak Hill Winery, Converse, hosts a free seminar. Appreciating Wine 101, a 90-minute workshop, begins at 4:30 pm, covering basic wine terminology, types of wine, wine regions, reading wine labels and more.

February 21

Wine & Canvas night at Mallow Run, Bargersville, 6:30-9:30 pm. Registration required at Wine & Canvas Bloomington or call (812) 345-1019

February 23 & 24

Mallow Run Winery, Bargersville,  hosts Soup & Wine weekend. Texas-Style Taco Soup and great music.

February 23-24

Oliver Winery, Bloomington, hosts its Barrel Tasting Weekend at the main tasting room on SR 37. Customers can sample barreled wines on a guided tour of the cellar and production space.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana Uplands Wine Trail set for Nov. 15-18

SOUTHERN INDIANA— Indiana Uplands Wine Trail  is comprised of nine wineries — Best Vineyards, Brown County, Oliver Winery, Butler, Carousel, French Lick, Winzerwald, Turtle Run and Huber Orchards and Vineyard. The group celebrates the holidays this year with Holidays in the Uplands November 15-18. 

Ticket holders visiting the nine wineries on the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 receive a gold ornament with each winery's logo as well as a grapevine wreath to display their treasures for a special holiday memento of their travels. Tickets cost $35 per person and are available on-line at UplandsHolidayTickets or at any Uplands winery.

In France, the third Thursday of November marks the day when the first young Beaujolais wines vinted from the current year’s grapes are released with much fanfare to celebrate the harvest. Many of the Uplands’ wineries will likewise be celebrating the tradition by introducing a new wine or a new vintage for tasting that weekend including the following:

· Winzerwald Winery-will offer a new Lieblich, a semi-sweet blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Vidal Blanc

· Butler Winery-will be releasing their new semi-sweet Traminette.

· Carousel Winery-will release its popular Winter Jewel, a mix of Raspberry and Cranberry wines.

· French Lick Winery-will debut a new dry red wine, Noiret.

· Turtle Run Winery-will have a new 2012 Chambourcin.

· Best Vineyards-will release a Chambourcin wine called Nouveau 2012 vinted in the traditional French Nouveau style.

· Huber’s Orchard and Vineyard-will once again have its Pop's Reserve Nouveau.
In addition to tasting new holiday releases and collecting holiday ornaments, make sure to also pick up a Passport to the Wine Trail at the first winery. After visiting all nine the last winery will present you with one slate cheese serving tray per passport just in time for those holiday celebrations. Each participant that completes the passport will also be entered into a grand prize drawing which will be held at the 2013 Vintage Indiana Wine Festival in Indianapolis in June.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Footlite Musicals: Oliver

Now playing at Footlite Musicals’ Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama, is Oliver, based on the Dickens classic about a little orphan boy who asks for more gruel. Directed by Ellie Sellars, the community theater’s production was performed on a well-matched, stark stage created by set designer, Richard Ferguson-Wagstaffe.

Overall, the show was well received by the audience, with the most applause left for the children, especially The Artful Dodger, portrayed by Matt Conwell, and Oliver, played by Noah McCullough.

McCullough’s Where is Love was best in the children’s solos and the interactive Pick a Pocket or Two reigned in as best from a group.

Although there were numerous sounding issues throughout the performance, one performer had no problem overcoming the situation.

Bill Hale as Fagin, the leader of the pickpocket gang, delighted the audience with his portrayal of the chief thief whose heart softens as his unlawful career ends. Hale’s rendition of Reviewing the Situation, was the best adult vocal performance and the highlight of the evening.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, theater critic, and travel writer. You can now follow Elizabeth on facebook or Twitter and catch her as Indy's Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC's Saturday Morning News Show, giving a quick Gotta Go list of things to do in the Indy area, including restaurants, festivals, events, theater and films.

Send requests to Elizabeth@gottago.us.

--This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.