AHEAD of Halloween, here are some spooky spirits to fire up your imagination: A ghoulish looking bottle that may take unsuspecting drinkers by surprise, La Fee Absinthe Parisienne (£43.50, 70cl, thedrink finder.com) is a new but traditional French absinthe that uses only natural ingredients, and tastes more amenable than some.
Still potent but pleasant, to re-enact the louche ritual which dates back to the 1800s, the anise-flavours can be enjoyed by slowly adding 4-6 parts iced water through a sugar cube placed on a perforated spoon which rests on the top of the glass.
Rigg’s Shrub (£19.99, 70cl, thedrinkshop.com) is a fruit infused premium grain spirit from Eager Drinks that’s macerated with the juices of raspberries and blackberries to evoke hedgerow fruits.
Rigg’s signature mixer is ginger ale, but for fright night tipples, a medium-dry vintage cider such as Morrisons new Signature Vintage Cider (£1.89 or 3 for £5, 50cl, Morrison) adds depth and complexity.
Devilishly divine, the melon based liqueur Midori (£11, 50cl, Asda) is enjoying a revival, partly due to its versatility in cocktails. Japanese for ‘green’, Midori combines the sweet, fragrant taste of melons. Here’s the explosive recipe to cause a stir: 40ml Midori, 20ml Pisco, 5ml lemon juice, 1 dash chocolate bitters, cinnamon stick, 8 cloves, cardamom, star anise, a large hollowed orange.
Prepare an orange by slicing top quarter off, hollowing out, cutting a ‘teeth’ pattern into the top and studding it with cloves. Heat Pisco in the microwave until boiling and pour into the cavity. Ignite and sprinkle cinnamon over flamed orange and when the flames die down, add Midori and remaining ingredients and top with crushed ice. Garnish with cardamom and star anise.
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