by Robbie Sipes

“I wear black on the outside because black is how I feel on the inside.” -the Smiths

So, since St. Patrick’s Day has green beer, now Halloween has its own official libation, a black vodka called Blavod.

The first year we spent Halloween in our current home is now colloquially know as “Treat-a-geddon.”  The two giant bags that had 288 pieces each, more than we ever thought we’d use, didn’t even make it until dusk, forget about dinnertime.  In the midst of sundown, streetwide Goblin vs. Zombie battles, I had to skulk off to market and pick up a few more gross pieces of candy.  And I mean bags of 144’s.  We do not buy gross candy, not even for trickers or treaters.

While I was gone, my man was abandoned in the warlike candy trenches and had to give out some of our good stash of chocolate (only for really nice costumes), a little coinage and, as the story goes, rain checks and promises.  I think we got pegged as chumps and had some secret insignia painted on the front curb, so scores of saccharin princesses and horrific vampires kept coming to the door. (You can only tell the difference by the shoes, how else?  Can’t even guess by their purses, all the bags are horrible! Orange plastic totes — round, of all things, ghastly!)

That night, Treat-a-geddon, (aka The Night of 1000 Tricks,) around 9:30pm, we parked each of our cars perpendicular to our driveway and as close to the front entrance as we could; shut off every light in the house; gathered the pets indoors; and moved our Sawhain rituals to the rear of the house.

This, more than any other Halloween tradition has stuck.  At our home, we’ve given up on the Trick-or-Treater. Halloween is great excuse to throw an amazing grown-up party.  Please don’t be regulated to your own back rooms, my best advice is this:  Don’t answer the doorbell for minors!

Favored drinks for this holiday gathering could certainly include a sleek Black cocktail to compliment the seductive and sexy tone of an adult Halloween.

So, since St. Patrick’s Day has green beer, now Halloween has its own official libation, a black vodka called Blavod.  This vodka is colored with an antioxidant-rich extraction of the berries of an indigenous Burmese herb.

The Black Catechu plant, a species of acacia tree, provides its inky pigment to this wickedly greenish-purple hued vodka. The antioxidant values that the fruit provides make for an exceptionally clean and smooth flavor for the liquor.  This extract seems to round out the harsh, astringent notes of the base vodka, plus adds deep visual interest.

Who drinks with their eyes shut?  This stuff is black!  Enjoy the gothic opacity (opaqueness?) of this elixir and build a magical Hallows Eve with these cocktails:
Black Widow: In a tumbler, layer crushed ice, then 2 parts pomegranate juice and 1 part Black Vodka.
(Float a spoonful of half-and-half for a White Widow.  Stir and watch the milky web form.)

Black Bull: In a tumbler, layer crushed ice, then 2 parts energy drink and 1 part Black Vodka.  Watch as the oil spill swirls!

Jack O’Lantern: In a tumbler full of ice, add 1 part Orangcello and 1 part soda water, then float one part black vodka to make the ultimate October Special!

 Special Soothsayer Spell: 

If you are more of the Witchie-Poo sort, I have found a recipe for HOMEMADE TONIC SYRUP that will bubble, double, toil and trouble!

BOIL In a medium sized cauldron (sauce pan) about 25 minutes
4C water
3C sugar
6 Tablespoons Citric Acid
3 Tablespoons Cinchona bark (quinine)
3 stalks lemon grass
(roughly chopped)
3 limes (zested and juiced)
PLUS (OPTIONAL) cloves, anise, ginger, cinnamon, kaffir lime, et al

STRAIN through coffee filters, cheesecloth or wet paper towels

SERVE (on ice):
2 shots vodka, gin, rum or brandy
1 shot Homemade Tonic Syrup
3+ shots soda water, to taste