Jack-O-Lantern Cocktail: A Drink To Match Your Pumpkin Decor
The season of festivities is upon us. With several holidays around the corner, Halloween, too, takes place at the same time. Like all festivals, people who are enthusiastic about the event go out of their way with decorations and costumes.
Jack-O’-Lantern cocktail is a semi-tart, citrus flavoured drink that is a combination of brandy and orange. Though it is a brandy-based drink, which is mixed with the cognac, orange juice is the highlight as it incorporates the orange colour which replicates the appearance and colour of a pumpkin.
Optionally, you can also use ginger ale in a Jack-O'-Lantern cocktail. The drink is incomplete without the orange wheel garnish which is used to create pumpkin forms and to give the drink its final touch.
Ingredients
40 ml cognac
15 ml brandy-based orange liqueur
30 ml orange juice
60 ml ginger ale [optional]
Orange wheel for garnish
Note: Ensure that the size of the glass matches the size of the orange wheel so that these both fit perfectly, leaving some space around the orange wheel. This will help in creating a neat presentation and the drink will be saved from pouring out.
Instructions
Pour cognac, brandy-based orange liqueur, orange juice and ginger ale into a cocktail shaker and add ice.
Shake the concoction well until it is fully chilled and mixed well.
Pour the drink into a coupe glass.
Garnish with an orange wheel.
Enhance its appearance with a Jack-O’-Lantern skewer which is completely optional.
Serving Suggestions
Glassware: Serve in a coupe glass to avoid any spillage and also for the touch of sophistication.
Temperature: Serve chilled which is the best way to serve cocktails. This aspect can be taken care of by shaking the ingredients with ice.
Garnish: Orange wheel garnish is a must to complete the appearance of the drink. If you do not have an orange wheel, a cherry can be placed instead to complete the look.
Unlike some other cocktails, Jack-O’-Lantern provides you a limited way of presentation. This serving restriction is more to keep the drink true to its origin.
Thus, you are free to experiment with the size and shape of the glass and garnish till you find your personal favourite.
Tools & Equipment
The preparation of Jack-O’-Lantern calls for some special tools and equipment that will not only make the process of making this drink easy but enjoyable.
A gold plated Japanese-style jigger will help you take accurate poured measurements and the switch between 30 ml or 60 ml ounce measurement will also become quite easy.
A coupe glass is the most preferred choice for serving Jack-O’-Lantern cocktails as the wide rim of the bowl makes the orange wheel garnish take the spotlight and you are free from the fear of pouring out the liquid.
Cobbler shaker is an ideal choice to mix this drink as it prevents the liquid from leakage.
Jack-O’-Lantern skewer, though optional, completes the look of the Jack-O’-Lantern drink, especially for a Halloween-themed event.
Drink responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
