Halloween Bash

Every year, Jeff and I throw a Halloween Bash.  We were supposed to be married on Halloween, but plans got pushed up quite a bit (to Memorial Day weekend) because of family matters.  Instead, we mark the day that would've been our wedding by a big party.  While this has always seemed appropriate and fitting, this will be our first year to fore go the tradition. We will have attended 8 weddinsg this year (the last being Friday), and frankly we need a break. 

The Bash will be on again next year, but in the meantime I wanted to share a few Bash secret recipes for your own Halloween festivities:

Wassail

1 gallon apple cider

1 cup orange juice

1/2 c. good brandy

1/2 c. Grand Marnier (Triple Sec also works, but use slightly less)

1/2 c. bourbon

2 cinnamon sticks

pinch salt

**For a wintery version, halve the orange juice and use an equal amount of cranberry juice. Garnish with cranberries.

This is the easiest thing in the world to make.  Simply put everything besides the liquor in a large pot and bring to simmer.  Add the liquor and simmer it until ready to serve.  Serve into paper, styrafoam, or ceramic. Use caution serving, the sugar from the juices gets extremely hot and leaves a nasty burn if you aren't careful.

Adult Cocoa

1 gallon whole milk (you could sub @% but it really isn't as good)

1/2 c. Godiva Dark Liquer

1/2 c. Kahlua

1/2 c. Vanilla Vodka (Stoli or Van Gogh are my favorites)

2 t. vanilla extract

pinch salt

marshmallows for garnish

**For a Mexican Chocolate twist, toss in a few cinnamon sticks and omit the marshmallow garnish.
 ***This is also tasty with a slight cayenne kick. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and go from there to get the desired level of heat.

Same instructions as above.  I have industrial coffee servers that are very convenient to keep these warm, but keeping them in big pots on the stove also works well.  The cocoa cools faster than the cider. Of course virgin versions of these are great for the kids, just omit the alcohol.

Cheers to Halloween!