This time the theme was 20th century monsters. We got away from literature a little-- although it is impossible to ignore H.P. Lovecraft in this category-- and tuned our creative brains into concocting cocktails for more modern monsters.
The first drink of the evening was mine. In the end, I used the old, terrible film 'The Creature from the Black Lagoon' as the inspiration. The main feature, of course, is the black lagoon and the suggestion of a creature. This drink is basically an autumn smoothie with some special October touches. Doing a smoothie allowed me to creature something murky-- capable of hiding a creature.
We gathered around to watch the old 1950s movie trailer for the film. As with most old monster movies-- once you've seen a 5-minute trailer there is really no point in watching the film itself.
(for 6 people)
- yogurt ( 4-5 plops)
- dash vanilla aroma
- couple dashes of rum aroma
- a liter apple juice
- 1/2 liter hard cider (optional)
- rum (splash in each glass) (optional)
- tinned pears (1 tin - 4 halves) drained
- black coloring for drink - not the same as food coloring, I don't think. This is specifically for coloring beverages.
Preparation:
- Find 'creatures' and freeze them into ice cubes pre-party
- the creature should be floating in a most menacing way when the drink is served
In my case, the creature sank to the depths of the cocktail in a most obliging way (not great for pictures), but the bodies of the creatures emerged when the lagoon was drained.
Terrifying.
The next drink was Arjen's The King in Yellow, borrowed from a story Robert W. Chambers-- later used by H.P. Lovecraft. This imaginary play provided the inspiration (and the color) for the cocktail. It was a fruity, refreshing, still powerful drink. In the story, the play made the people who watched it crazy. This cocktail has the same capability.
Here is someone going crazy.
Note the demonic glimmer in the eyes. Crazy.
Maarten is not QUITE crazy yet, but he will assuredly unravel before the evening is out.
Lost cause.
Borderline crazy.
The King in Yellow
1/2 ounce creme de cacao
1/2 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces gin
2 dashes orange bitters
2 ounces orange juice
The next drink was Wouter's creation. A masterpiece based on the 'Candyman'. I don't dare even write it 5 times. At the bottom of the drink, there was a collection of dead bees. Pulling from the film (in which the future Candyman (the son of a slave) is punished for his love of a white woman by having his hand cut off and replaced with a hook, and then being smeared by with honey and chased by a swarm of bees who eventually kill him). Obviously, he then becomes a monster-- what else?
- one part honey
- one part water
- heat in a pan until honey dissolves
- cool
The Candyman
- 1 part honey
- 1 part dark rum
- 1/2 part scotch whiskey
- dash Marasquin
- shake over ice
(make dead bees with raisins soaked in rum)
(can add lemon)
Still crazy.
A couple of vicious games of Zombie Dice helped to keep things on a spooky, uneven keel.
Maarten's drink was next. He claimed mutants early on, and created a drink called Meta Luna, based on the mutant from the movie of the same name.
Although it was a hair strong, the recipe has already been refined and, assuming you like mint flavoring, this will be a lovely, fresh, minty, and appropriately green drink.
Meta Luna
- 2 parts whiskey
- 1 part creme de menthe (pr less, depending on your taste)
- a squeeze of lemon
- fill to top with fizzy lemonade
Meta Luna on Mystery Science Theater.
We sorely missed Judith and Astrid this week! Nice to have Agnes and Wouter though!!
Next week is Halloween weekend, so our theme will be traditional Halloween--- witch's brews, potions, anything one might find in a bubbling cauldron. Anything related to all Hallow's traditions and lore, as well.
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