Ghostly Halloween Cocktails

NEW YORK, NY - Trick-or-treating may be for kids but Halloween stirs up sweet tooths spanning all ages.� For adults looking to stock their Halloween party bar with cocktails worthy of this sinfully sweet holiday, Van Gogh Vodka's new irresistible Rich Dark Chocolate flavor is perfect for shaking up a spookily delicious drink.� With its naturally infused complex, dark cocoa taste, it is appreciated well-chilled and straight and also pairs well with a number of flavors and beverages.

Make hosting the party a breeze by serving a pitcher drink that you can make in bulk ahead of time.� The Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash's Van Goghst Punch is easy to make and sure to please a crowd, mixing the Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka with fruit juices and sodas for a unique and unexpectedly refreshing cocktail.� Or for a single serving cocktail that is both sweet and tart, try the Maple Basil Sour, also developed by Jonathan Pogash.

Looking for candy-inspired creations?� The Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka melds with Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka and Butterscotch Schnapps to create the Milky Way Martini.� Or mix up another classic candy flavor combo - dark chocolate and peppermint - with the PepperMint Pattini.�

The Cocktail Guru also has some tasty Halloween treats using other spirits: check out Jonathan Pogash's Panamanian Devil, featuring Ron Abuelo A�ejo rum, and CORZO Bite, featuring Corzo Silver Tequila.

?Milky Way Martini
2 oz Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka
1 1/2 oz Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka
1 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice.� Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled martini glass.

PepperMint Pattini
1 1/2 oz Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka
1/2 oz Cr�me de menthe
1/2 oz Chocolate Liqueur
1/2 oz Cream
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a Peppermint Pattie candy wedge.

Maple Basil Sour
*Created by The Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash

1 1/2 oz Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz real maple syrup
3 large basil leaves
Directions: In a mixing glass, muddle the basil leaves to extract the flavor.� Add remaining ingredients with ice and shake well.� Pour into a rocks glass.
Garnish: basil sprig

?Panamanian Devil
*Created by The Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash

2 oz Ron Abuelo A�ejo rum
1 oz chilled espresso
3 drops liquid smoke
1/4 oz simple syrup
Spray of Lucid Absinthe
Directions: Shake first four ingredients with ice and strain into martini glass rimmed with smoked chili powder. Spray on top of drink some Lucid Absinthe.
Garnish: flamed orange peel

CORZO Bite
*Created by The Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash

1 1/2 parts Corzo Silver Tequila
1/2 parts Campari
1 part fresh blood orange juice
1/4 parts blood (aka home-made grenadine) **
2 parts Jarritos Tamarindo Soda
Process: Build all ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice. Add the "blood" at the end.
Garnish: blood orange wheel and strawberry syrup
** Home-made grenadine: Add equal parts white sugar and POM pomegranate juice together and dissolve sugar over high on stove-top. When dissolved, add several drops of orange flower water, simmer on low heat for 10 mins., chill, and serve.
** If blood oranges are not available, use a slice of regular orange that is soaking in "blood" as a garnish.

Van Goghst Punch (serves 12)

*Created by The Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash

1 bottle Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka

12 oz orange juice

12 oz pomegranate juice

12 oz club soda or lemon-lime soda

Directions: Pour ingredients into large punch bowl or pitcher filled with ice and stir to chill and dilute.� Ladle or pour out into small punch glasses.

Garnish: Several sliced orange wheels

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