HALLOWEEN - RedRUM Cocktail

Do these pictures look familiar? This post originally appeared on my old blog, Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine, which I unfortunately let expire. I'm posting some of my favorites on this blog so that I don't lose them forever.

Hey guys, and welcome to Monster Mash Monday! It's 4-ish weeks until Halloween and I am re-posting my favorite Halloween recipes from my old blog! From now until my favorite holiday arrives, check back every Monday for a new Halloween recipe. Missed the last ones? Check them out here: Eerie Alien Eggs, Candy Corn Marshmallow Treats.

The Shining is my favorite horror book, by my favorite horror writer (duh) Stephen King. I actually read it for the first time when I was just 11, after telling my dad "Goosebumps just aren't scary to me anymore" he handed me a worn out copy he'd read a handful of times. (I guess he was forgetting King's penchant for awkward sex scenes? yikes...) I lost that one, but later bought this one for my personal collection--

A year later, he let me rent the movie during a sleepover. I loved it, all of it. It was creepy and captivating and a true work of horror. It began my long-held love of Stephen King that continues to this day. I agree that the book and movie are very different works, and that the book is worlds better, OBVIOUSLY, but both are solid in their own right.

What's better than watching one of your favorite horror movies--it's SO different than the book, so it's not my absolute favorite, just close--while drinking a drink inspired by it? Not much, especially when you're a horror/Halloween nut like me!

Since this was one of my favorite childhood books (as weird as that sounds, hah!) I based on another childhood favorite, a Shirley Temple, with a spicy kick. Something dark, something innocent, it works thematically. Stay with me here.

RedRUM Cocktail

• 1 oz spiced rum
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz grenedine
• 1/4 oz lime juice
• 2 cocktail cherries

-In a cocktail glass (martini preferred) pour in the grenedine and then the rum, being careful not to disturb the grenedine.

-In a cocktail shaker, shake together the remaining ingredients. Carefully pour on top of the rum.

-With a small spoon, spoon more grenedine around the edge of the glass for a bloody effect. Garnish with cherries.