The first of our Halloween Cocktails for 2021, the Basic Witch started its life as a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned. The original test using Wild Turkey 101 and Pumpkin Spice Syrup resulted in a super spicy but not particularly balanced drink. This resulted in wondering how we could still create a basic pumpkin spice drink, but keep a balance. The result was a riff on the basic bitch love of pumpkin spice lattes and a nod to raising the beast from the depths, the Kraken.
Basic Witch
The Basic Witch results in a mix of sweet and roasted sugar notes from the rum being contrasted with gentle pie spices and cream. The layering results in a changing drink experience that swings between creamy and spiced and boozy and brown sugar. The harmony between the results in a brown sugar laced pumpkin spice creaminess that sweet and balanced. Toward the end, the creaminess brings the drink full circle, giving an almost coffee and cream like character to the drink.
Drink Notes & Recommendations
As with any cocktails that involve cream, there is a potential for the cream to curdle in the Basic Witch. This is most often due to acid, but can also be caused by alcohol. Due to the proof of Kraken, there is a good chance to curdle this drink. To avoid this, go slowly when pouring the cream over the back of the layering spoon. In addition, avoid heavily agitating this drink. It is recommend you pour the cream it as close to where your guests will being enjoying it as possible. Walking up stairs for example, could agitate the drink and result in curdling.
Ingredients
- Kraken Black Spiced Rum – We chose Kraken for it’s rich vanilla and molasses notes, as well as subtle and roasty spices. This offering it should be noted is their original, which comes in at 94 proof. Kraken is a black spiced rum that should be widely available, but in a pinch, you might consider Goslings.
- Demerara Syrup – Combine 2 parts Demerara Sugar to 1 part water and bring to a simmer stirring over high heat. Remove from heat once the sugar has completely dissolved. Allow to cool and bottle. Refrigerate. The high sugar content will work to inhibit bacterial growth for an extended duration – throw out if any clouding or mold develop.
- Heavy Cream – Use heavy cream here to ensure the fat content is high enough to reduce the risk of curdling. Make sure your cream is cold.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Ingredients:
- 20g Cinnamon (crushed into approx 1 in sections)
- 10g Nutmeg – broken into 10-20 pieces / nutmeg using the back of a knife or mortar and pestle
- 5g Cloves
- 7g Fresh Ginger cut into thin slices – 1/16″ – 1/8″
- 500g Water
- 500g Sugar
- 30g Neutral Grain Spirit (optional)
Bring all ingredients except neutral grain spirit to a boil in a sauce pot stirring regularly. Boil for 5 minutes while continuing to stir regularly. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Strain through a coffee filter into a clean glass bottle and add neutral grain spirits if using. Refrigerate. Dispose of if any clouding or mold develop.
Equipment and Techniques
- Milk Frother: These are used to agitate milk or other ingredients (for example whipping egg whites) at high rates of speed. They don’t require a lot of skill to use, and don’t require heated milk to make foam. We use a Bean Envy which you can have from Amazon for under $20 (and use it with your coffee!)
- Creating the Cold Foam: Using a milk frother, start by submerging the wheel of the milk frother into the cream and syrup. Turn on the milk frother so you can see the creaming being drawn into the center (and into the wheel). This process is adding air to the cream. Continue this for 20 – 25 seconds. Do not exceed this time significantly or you will create whipped cream. This amount of time will allow you to pour the thickened, aerated cream over the spoon to layer the drink. We use this one from Bean Envy*
- Layering the Drink: Place a bar spoon so the bowl is face down and the spoon is nearly touching the surface of the drink. Slowly pour the cold foam cream over the back of the spoon, slowly raising the spoon to match the increasing height of the foam. Continue until you are finished pouring foam.
- Adding the Bitters Design: Once you have dropped bitters into the cold foam, take a straw or tooth pick and place the tip into the foam before the bitters you want to use to decorate. Drag the toothpick or straw through the bitter connecting the drops or making a design as you see fit.
* – This link is an affiliate link which may result in First Pour Cocktails getting a portion of the sale – it helps us keep the site running and bringing you new cocktails!
Looking for more Halloween Cocktails? Check out our full list here:
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