We'll help you plan your best summer yet with our annual roundup of can't miss events! Plus we've got a Face the Music interview with vocal powerhouse Josh Groban who is performing in Portland on 6/24. And as always, we'll help you have a terrific weekend with our hand-picked selection of events. Have fun out there!
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Susan Axelrod
Susan Axelrod's food writing career began in the kitchen; she owned a restaurant and catering business for 15 years before turning to journalism. By day, she is the social media editor for Portland Press Herald. To relax, she bakes, gardens and hikes with her husband and their two dogs, preferably followed by a cocktail or a Maine beer. Susan can be contacted at 791-6310 or saxelrod@mainetoday.com On Twitter: @susansaxelrod
Creepy cocktails: 4 boozy, easy-to-make Halloween treats for grown ups
Sure, it’s fun to watch all the cute ghosts and goblins (or Elsas and Spidermen) traipsing around the neighborhood on Halloween, but why should kids get all the treats?
For adult Halloween celebrations, I’ll riff on the old saying: Candy is dandy … but a special Halloween cocktail might just do the trick.
And parents, once your little ghouls are safely tucked in bed, you could raid those plastic pumpkins and pillowcases full of candy — or, treat yourself to one of these.
All photos by Susan Axelrod
Tootsie Roll
The combination of coffee liqueur and root beer makes a drink that tastes jut like the popular Halloween candy. The original recipe calls for Kahlua; I Maine-ified it by swapping in Allen’s Coffee Brandy.
Makes 1
1 part Allen’s Coffee Brandy
1 part root beer
In an ice-filled cocktail glass, pour coffee brandy to fill halfway, then top with root beer. Stir.
Adapted from livingbettertogether.com
Candy Corn
Candy corn is my very favorite Halloween candy, so naturally I had to include a recipe for the cocktail version.
Makes 1
1 1/2 ounces whipped cream-flavored vodka
2 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
1 ounce honey
1/2 ounce grenadine
Canned whipped cream
In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice and honey; shake well.
Strain into a chilled glass.
Slowly pour the grenadine into the glass and allow it to settle on the bottom; it will create the orange layer of the candy corn.
Top with whipped cream.
Adapted from tammileetips.com.
Swamp Thing
This recipe is actually somewhat healthy — look, it has fruit! — and you could easily leave out the vodka to make it kid-friendly.
Makes 2
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 pear, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
12 green grapes
10 mint leaves
Gingerale
Gummy worms
In a blender, puree the vodka, lime juice, pear, grapes and mint.
Pour into two ice-filled cocktail glasses.
Top with gingerale and stir gently.
Garnish with gummy worms.
Adapted from loungegeeks.com
Bloody Ghost
A Halloween version of the classic White Lady cocktail.
Makes 1
Red gel decorator icing (find it in the baking aisle)
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 egg white
Use the gel to create streaks of “blood” on the inside of a martini glass.
In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and egg white. Shake well and pour into the prepared glass.
