Happy Halloween!

Since Halloween is on a Monday this year, all the celebrations pretty much already happened over the weekend.

At least for me.

I’m a bit too old to demand candy from strangers.

Well, I could probably pass as a 14 year-old with the right costume and makeup, but even that’s pushing it.

As much as I love sugar, I’d rather go out dancing with friends and sip on a few festive cocktails.

Before we get into the details of this simple bubbly beverage (which happens to be waaayyy too easy to knock down), I just have to say, when selecting a costume, be sure that you can actually dance in it.

And even more importantly, walk.

I was a mermaid this year, and let’s just say that mermaids have a very difficult time traveling on land.

But I’m sure you already new that.

Anyway.

A couple months ago I had the most delicious cocktail at this cute little bar in Ballard called Hazelwood.

Let me rephrase that.

A couple months ago I had the most delicious cocktail at this edgy little bar in Ballard called Hazelwood.

Like, you better show up with at least three tattoos and five piercings.

(Guess I need two more tattoos…)

The cocktail was bubbly, a little fruity, and disappeared more quickly than I’d like to admit.

As much as I love spending $$$ on craft cocktails, I thought it would be fun to whip up my own version and force it upon everyone at my office’s annual Halloween party.

If you too would like to force a festive cocktail upon people in your life (or simply suck down a couple solo) all you have to do is place a brandied cherry (or regular jarred cocktail cherry) in the bottom of a flute, carefully drizzle a bit of raspberry liqueur in there, then top off your glass of perfection with some sparkling white wine!

Cheers!

P.S. For the cherries, do not use the bright red fakey maraschinos. You might as well leave the cherry out if you’re about to go down that path.

P.P.S. I like the raspberry liqueur Chambord (it’s a bit pricey, and very potent) but Framboise (also pricey and potent) would work too.

P.P.P.S. Prosecco is my fave sparkling white wine, but if you want to ball out, Champagne is always a fantastic option. Clearly. If you’re on a budget, a semi-decent bottle of $11 sparkling white wine will do. Do not, I repeat, do not use Cooks. Just no.