Inspired by Jack Skellington’s plot to take over Christmas, the “Sandy Claws and the Pumpkin King” cocktail layers minty candy-cane flavors beneath a creamy pumpkin-pie topping to create a festive, spooky drink that visually and deliciously blends Halloween and Christmas. (Recipe Below)
Jack Skellington as the Pumpkin King is planning on taking over Christmas. This inspired our second cocktail "Sandy Claws and the Pumpkin King". This layered cocktail has Halloween Pumpkin Pie flavors on top and finishes with a shot of Christmas candy cane; served in a tall Collins glass so you can savor this cocktail through (Ken Page) Oogie Boogie's song. Start with the candy cane layer by mixing together Green Crème De Menthe and White Crème De Cacao, layer on top of that a mix of Rumpleminze and Grenadine Syrup for the look and taste of Sandy Claws. Then top with pumpkin pie by shaking together Spiced Rum, Butterscotch Schnapps, Fireball, Half and Half and Pumpkin Puree. The result is a creamy, sweet and spiced layer; top it with nutmeg and it'll taste just like a pumpkin pie smoothie. Just as smooth as the Pumpkin King's Christmas takeover. Finish the look by adding a spooky cherry garnish dipped in Halloween sprinkles.
Sandy Claws and the Pumpkin King
1 oz (30mL) Rumple Minze
.5 oz (15 mL) Grenadine Syrup
1 oz (30 mL) Spiced Rum
.5 oz(15 mL) Butterscotch Schnapps
.5 oz (15 mL) Fireball
.5 oz (15 mL) Half and Half
.5 oz (15 mL) Pumpkin Puree
4 dashes Orange Bitters (divided)
2 Droppers Saline (divided)
.5 oz (15 mL) Creme de Menthe
.5 oz (15 mL) Creme De Cacao
Maraschino Cherry
Halloween Sprinkles
Christmas Sprinkles
Grated Nutmeg
Prepare a Collins Glass with a rim of Halloween sprinkles on one half and Christmas Sprinkles on the other half. Chill
Combine in a mixing glass 1 oz Rumple Minze, .5 oz Grenadine, dropper of saline and 2 dashes of orange bitters. Stir to combine (No ice needed)
Combine in a shaker 1.5 oz Spiced Rum, .5 oz Butterschnapps, .5 oz Fireball, 5 oz Half and Half, .5 oz Pumpkin Puree, dropper of saline and 2 dashes of orange bitters, dry shake with a spring for 10 seconds. Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
Into the collins glass add .25 oz Creme De Menthe and .25 oz Creme De Cacao. Add ice.
Layer Rumple Minze mixture. Then, Strain Pumpkin Cocktail on top.
Garnish with grated nutmeg, and a maraschino cherry on top
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Rumple Minze
100 proof/50% ABV
Diageo Company
German style peppermint schnapps although largely unknown to Germany. The high proof lends itself to its strong peppermint smell and taste.
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Kraken Spiced Rum
94 proof/47% ABV
Proximo Spirits
Distilled from sugar cane molasses, aged, then blended with proprietary blend of spices. The result is a warming rum by flavor and alcohol burn. Vanilla and pie spice flavors accompany the warmth.
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Butterscotch Schnapps
40 proof/20% ABV
DeKuyper/Fortune Brands
A brandy based liqueur that is neutral in flavor, then sweetened with sugar and mixed with caramel flavoring and color. Texture and color is similar to a light agave syrup, but the flavor tastes just like the warm Werther's your grandpa used to give you to keep quiet. The sweet, caramel flavor tends to coat the mouth and linger a bit.
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Fireball Whiskey
66 proof/33% ABV
Sazerac Company
A blended Canadian whisky with sweeteners and cinnamon flavoring added to produce a syrupy sweet and bright cinnamon flavor.
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Creme de Menthe
30 proof/15% ABV
DeKuyper /Fortune Brands
A syrupy sweet liqueur with a strong mint flavor, lightly herbal. Chosen for its bright green color made by artificial food dyes.
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Creme de Cacao
30 proof/15% ABV
DeKuyper/Fortune Brands
A sweet liqueur made by redistilling alcohol with pure cocoa. This liqueur tastes lightly of chocolate and slight vanilla notes.
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Orange Bitters
35% - 45% ABV
Bitters are made by concentrating flavors into an alcohol base. Orange bitters vary by brand, but are generally made with bitter orange peel, cardamom, caraway, coriander, anise and toasted sugar.
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Grenadine Syrup
Grenadine is a common non-alcoholic beverage syrup used for its color, sweetness and syrup consistency. Commercially produced grenadine is more sweet and less citrusy from artisan made grenadine. Grenadine syrup is easy to make in small batches at home resulting in more pomegranate flavor.
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Half and Half
10.5% - 18% fat
Half and half is an equal parts mixture of cream and milk. Now, there are great non-dairy options in the market.
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Pumpkin Puree
Pure pumpkin is lightly sweet and vegetal. It can bring a thickness and silky texture to a cocktail as well as help carry flavor to the back of the palate.
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Salt/Saline
Salt is a great flavor changer. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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Sugar Sprinkles
Description goes here -
Nutmeg
A warming spice that adds a light sweetness that can add depth of flavor to a cocktail. A common ingredient in aromatic bitters and tiki spice mixes.
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