I’ve been reading Halloween cocktail recipes for years, and since drinking heavily was most certainly in the cards after the week I’ve had, it seemed like a good time to stop reading and start making.
I found the recipe over at this site. I wish it had a cool name like “Agent Orange” or “Sunshine Reaper,” but the site only refers to it as a “Halloween Cocktail.” Am I allowed to rename cocktails if I swiped the recipes? Let’s pretend I am. This is an “Agent Orange.” It’s wonderful.
Combine two ounces of bourbon, three ounces of orange juice and the juice of half of a lemon in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a glass full of ice. Top it off with some ginger ale. (The recipe doesn’t specify how much ginger ale, so let’s just say “to taste.”)
I only drink whiskey when I have absolutely no idea that it’s in what I’m drinking, so I had some reservations, but this is delicious. It tastes almost exactly like a Navy Grog, which makes no sense at all since Navy Grogs have an entirely different set of ingredients. The truth is, I just like writing the word “grog.”
Wondering how this drink ties in with Halloween? The official recipe calls for unpitted olives with pumpkin faces carved on as the garnish. YES. YES, YES YES. I’ve never known olives to be a candidate for garnish in a fruity whiskey drink, but I will never, ever argue with an excuse to carve olives up like jack o’ lanterns. Oh, the fun I had.
Unfortunately, you’ll need all of the above to whip up a batch of Halloween Cocktails Agent Oranges. Still totally worth it. I love blaming alcoholism on Halloween enthusiasm.
Your challenge: Raid your liquor cabinet and search online. I guarantee that you’ll find at least one Halloween-themed cocktail to enjoy using whatever you’ve already got. Well, unless you’re fifteen. And you very well may be, since I usually just write about toys and candy. For the rest of you, I can think of no better way to spend this perfect dead leaf evening than with a glass full of something evilly named. Good luck!
Posted by Matt. E-mail me!
Ghosted by 
Last time I saw him Cheap Trick opened. Stellar show but if I had to chose, The Cramps would shine a little brighter.
I’m going to see Faster Pussycat tonight and I have my VHS copy of Decline of the Western Civilization 2 in hand to be signed. Hopefully they won’t take offense.