There’s something so elegant about a pure white cocktail and this White Russian recipe is the pinnacle of sophistication.

Halloween can be about tricking and treating but it can also be about mystery and masquerade. This White Russian recipe floats eerily in a martini glass and makes a perfect dessert cocktail. Adding a dash of cinnamon transforms it into a warming flavorful treat.

This cocktail will look best in a long-stemmed martini glass but don’t worry if you don’t have them since any clear cocktail glass will do.One of my favorite ways to serve cocktails when entertaining is in mixed-matched crystal glasses that I collect from flea markets and junk shops.

Using half and half instead of the traditional heavy cream makes for a much smoother cocktail. You still get all the creamy flavor with about half the calories. As for coffee liquer, your choices may be limited to the popular brand Kahlua. However, you might be able to find homemade versions at gourmet food markets.

There is of course the world’s most notable White Russian connoisseur: The Dude from “The Big Lebowski”. The Dude’s approach to a White Russian is slightly different than mine in that I like to chill the cream and coffee liqueur first in a cocktail shaker and serve it without ice. That way you get the full experience of drinking what can be described as an adult milkshake.

A Ghostly White Russian Recipe

Makes six 3 oz. cocktails

Ingredients

6 ounces half and half
6 ounces organic vodka
6 ounces coffee liquor
cinnamon

Directions

In a metal cocktail shaker combine 3 large ice cubes with 1 ounce of each: half and half, coffee liquor and vodka.

Vigorously shake for 20 seconds and pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon and serve immediately.

Related on Eco Salon

20 Unusual Ways to Use Vodka 

4 Retro Cocktails Making a Comeback 

11 Hipster Cocktails 

Photo Credit: Ally Jane Grossan

The post A Ghostly White Russian Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Skip the spooky green punch and go for something refreshing and elegant like this Halloween cocktail recipe with grapefruit juice and fresh blackberries. 

Since it IS practically Halloween, get into the spirit by adding fresh blackberry compote or “guts” into the flesh-colored mixture of grapefruit, gin and club soda. While your guests are consuming handfuls of Halloween candy this drink will offer a cooling respite.

The gin fizz is a classic cocktail usually made with carbonated water and lemon juice. An egg white is often added to make a silver fizz which I would highly recommend ordering the next time you find yourself in a classic cocktail bar. After years of feeling disgust at the thought of an egg in my drink I had a Pisco Sour that changed my life. Egg whites add a frothy layer to acidic cocktails so don’t be afraid of them…plus an egg white has protein to offset the alcohol.

The addition of muddled blackberries to a gin fizz makes for an interesting turn. I make this cocktail with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice to ensure that it isn’t too sweet. You can substitute the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice for store-bought juice if necessary. The blackberry pulp has a beautiful dark purple color which looks creepy in the flesh-colored liquid of the grapefruit juice and liquor. Tell your guests they are drinking “guts” and they may roll their eyes but will be pleasantly surprised by this fizzy and not-too-sweet treat.

Grapefruit Gin Fizz with Blackberry “Guts”

Makes 6 cocktails (recipe is easily doubled)

Ingredients

6 ounces gin, such as Tanqueray or Beefeater
1 cup blackberries
1 teaspoon honey
3 ounces club soda
1 large grapefruit
12 large ice cubes

Directions

1. Slice the grapefruit in half and use a juicer to extract the juice.

2. In a small bowl use a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to smash the blackberries into a pulp. Add the honey and mix thoroughly.

3. In each individual glass place two ice cubes and pour in 1 ounce each of grapefruit juice and gin and just a ½ oz or splash of club soda. Stir for a few seconds with a long spoon and then delicately add about a teaspoon of the blackberry mixture and serve.

Related on Eco Salon

Sparkling Blackberry and Basil Infusion

Honey Ginger Sparkling Lemonade

11 Hipster Cocktail Recipes you Can Make at Home  

Photo credit: Ally Jane Grossan

The post Halloween Cocktail Recipe: Grapefruit Gin Fizz with Blackberry ‘Guts’ appeared first on EcoSalon.

I never think of Halloween until the last possible moment and then I end up with no costume, no plans, and no food ideas. I think it’s my form of rebellion after living in San Francisco for so many years (many of them in the Castro).

I don’t want EcoSalon readers to suffer the same fate so I scoured the web for ideas that involve good food without artificial colors, flavors, or other food additives. You’ll find plenty of tasty treats, a fun cocktail idea, and some general green party tips.

Enjoy a safe, healthy, and green Halloween!

Heidi at 101 Cookbooks helpfully compiled links to all of her Halloween inspired recipes last fall. And there are some good ones here. Caramel apples with all-natural ingredients, toasted pumpkin seeds with creative flavor profiles, and a roasted pumpkin salad that sounds fantastic. Heidi’s recipes are always vegetarian and use all natural, healthy whole foods, so you can’t go wrong.

Because wasting anything edible (including pumpkin seeds) is not green, you’ll definitely want to use this recipe for all-natural Pumpkin Seed Brittle from Alton Brown via The Daily Green.

Martha can always be counted on for the most creative ideas. Here’s a “bleeding heart” martini that uses pickled beets in place of olives. Try some Fair Trade Vodka instead of gin, if you’re so inclined. Or check out Peak Spirits. A small, artisan distillery that produces organic vodka and gin.

Finally, for general green party tips for Halloween or anytime, have a look at these tips from Danny Seo via Epicurious.

Image: Ack Ook

The post Halloween Harvest: Tips, Ideas and Recipes appeared first on EcoSalon.