Cooking Lesson #363: Halloween Pumpkin-Spiced Siberian

…from the Happy Hour Bar

​How you doin’? It’s Halloween time when all the candy beggars go out house-to-house in scary and not-so-scary costumes to separate you from your treats. How did Halloween start and why? The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
 
When I was younger, I used to enjoy seeing all the polite kids stopping by my house at trick-or-treat time. As the years have gone by, the kids (and, even worse rude teenagers) now bang on doors demanding large amounts of treats. Nowadays this old grinch turns off the porch light and enjoys a cocktail that helps me remember the good old days of Halloween.
 
My Halloween Siberian is exactly what’s needed to sip at this season. This festive fall cocktail brings the perfect pumpkin flavor to a classic White Russian with the addition of pumpkin spice creamer. It's creamy, dreamy, and delicious! Try it for yourself!
 
Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield:  2 cocktails
 
Ingredients
For the flavored decorative rim and topping
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon sparkling sugar
3 tablespoons crushed honey graham crackers
 
For the cocktail
Pumpkin pie spice for glass rim
3 ounces vodka
3 ounces pumpkin spice creamer (I prefer International Delight)
1-1/2 ounces Kahlua
Ice (in a shaker)
whipped cream (for garnish)
 
Directions

1. Mix the ingredients for the rim together on a shallow plate.
2. Dip the edge of two glasses in water and then dip into the graham mixture.
3. Press to coat.
4. Set the two glasses aside.
5. Pour vodka, creamer and Kahlua into a large cocktail shaker filled with ice.
6. Shake lightly until combined and cold.
7. Straining out the ice, pour mixture into glasses and top with whipped cream and dust with pumpkin pie spice.
8. Boo!

ChefSecret:  Pumpkin creamers are LTOs offered this time of year to celebrate adult Halloween.

Quip of the Day: “A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?' 'Yep,' the wife replied, 'in-laws'.”
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To you and everyone dear to you, have a Happy Halloween, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Cocktail #PumpkinSpicedSiberian #HappyHour #FallCocktails #Vodka #Kahlua #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                        ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021

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