Golden Tickets & Grown-Up Sweets: Reimagining Willy Wonka Through Decadent, Layered Cocktails 

In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) is an underprivileged kid surrounded by what feels like an overprivileged society.  One day, Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) announces a competition for the privilege of and exclusive guided tour through his secret candy factory.  The entire world loses their minds trying to grab one of the five Golden Tickets hidden in Wonka candy wrappers.  As one spoiled kid after another finds a Golden Ticket, Charlie grasps the sad notion that he will never be able to afford candy, much less the quantities that would need to be purchased to find a Golden Ticket.  With his head hanging low, he spots some money in a gutter and knows exactly what he wants to do with it.   

With the extra money Charlie finds, he heads straight to Bill's Candy Shop to get some candy.  Overwhelmed by the opportunity to get whatever he wants, he asks Bill (Aubrey Woods) what to get and he suggests, "The Scrumdiddlyumptious...Wonka's latest and greatest invention a candy that can never be duplicated."  Perhaps in candy form, but we decided to duplicate the scrumptious part of the bar with a base of Peanut Butter Whiskey and Butterschnapps to give the cocktail the its nutty and toffee-buttery flavors.  For the delicious part, Hazelnut Liqueur, Crème de Cocoa and a few heavy dashes of Cocoa Bitters which give it that silky, chocolatey flavor.  Don't forget the Saline in this cocktail, it really brings up and together all of the flavors that make up this Scrumdiddlyumptious cocktail.  Give this cocktail a thorough stir with ice and serve it over a large cube with, you guessed it, a Golden Ticket right on top.  Charlie wolfed down the chocolate prompting Bill to warn him of a belly ache.  Charlie paused for a moment and decided that the chocolate was so good, he better buy a Wonka Bar for Grandpa Joe.  Little did he know- That bar had the Golden Ticket!  The excitement of winning this ticket magically heals Charlie's bed-ridden Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) into an inspirational song and dance.  They are off to see the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.   

Once Charlie found his Golden Ticket, he like the other entrants, was approached by the mysterious man that whispered in all of their ears.  Introducing himself as Slugworth (Gunter Meisner) he promised riches unknown to Charlie if he retrieves an even wilder creation by Wonka- The Everlasting Gobstopper.  To create this multi-flavored candy into a cocktail,  we built a multi-layered cocktail with distinct and fruity flavors.  The bottom red layer is made with Peach Schnapps and Grenadine for a sweet, syrupy and peachy flavor.  Then, shaken together Crème de Banana, Lemon and Lime Juices for a flavorful base that will in fact, make the flavors seem everlasting. For the orange layer, the slight bitterness and strong orange flavor of Aperol gives this layer a delicious orange kick. For the green layer, mix together melon liqueur and moonshine for a smooth and delicious musky flavor.  Finally the blue layer, UV Blue provides that delicious Blue Raspberry flavor that makes the cocktail so reminiscent of juicy, fresh and sweet fruity candy.  Just like Wonka's Everlasting Gobstopper, this cocktail is so good, you will want to have one to replicate just like Slugworth!