Evil Drink Lab

October 22, 2014
Drinks,Recipes

Occasionally while I’m mixing drinks behind the bar I feel like I’m a mad scientist: a dash of bitters here, a droplet of tincture there . . . you get the idea. And as you know, I’m a huge fan of self-serve cocktail stations at parties. After all, I made a whole business out of it back in the day. So you can imagine my excitement when I got the idea for an evil drink lab this Halloween. With so many fun props to choose from, you can really get into the “spirit” of the holiday – get it, the spirit . . ? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

I wanted to push the styling to the max, so I decided to keep it simple with the cocktail. Just lemonade, vodka, and a little bit of food coloring. It is Halloween after all. Let’s call them “Gremlin Drops”.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

I used these awesome erlenmeyer flasks for the lemonade. Feel free to make your own fresh-squeezed lemonade. Again, I decided to keep the work to a minimum and go with a store bought brand. For about 30 oz of lemonade in each flask I added 5 drops of yellow food coloring.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Trust me, it’s impossible to not feel scientific when using test tubes. Yes, even if you’re filling them with vodka. I filled each tube with about 1 1/4 oz of vodka. If you happen to have bigger tubes, go ahead and use more. Put one drop of blue food coloring in each test tube.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

How cool, I mean evil is that?!?!!

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

When it’s time to serve, guests can grab a test tube of blue vodka (or whatever evil name you decide to call it) and pour it over a beaker of ice.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

I used 250ml beakers for drinking glasses. Just line them up for people to grab.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Next, guests can add the lemonade, err I mean gremlinade. I don’t care how old you are, it’s still awesome to see  the color change.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

And you gremlin drop is complete. Buahahaha!!

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

If you’re feeling extra evil (like me) you can offer some pipettes of spicy devil’s blood on the side – aka chili pepper tincture dyed red of course.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

To make the chili pepper tincture pack a pint jar full of diced chili pepper (I used Thai peppers) and cover completely with a high-proof neutral spirit. Seal and store in a cabinet for 72 hours. Strain and store in a jar – will last indefinitely.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Don’t forget to style with evil props of your choice. I just couldn’t pass up this skull in a vice!

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

And no evil drink lab would be complete without dry ice. Remember, do NOT handle dry ice with your bare hands or use it in your drink. Specific types of containers will shatter if they are exposed to dry ice, so make sure you are handling it appropriately.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Watch out for those pesky lab rats. Eeeeeek!

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

The straws I used were some of the coolest utensils I’ve used in a while. Not only are they look great in the evil drink lab, but in everyday beverages as well. They’re made out of glass, and therefore reusable.

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Have a happy, safe, and scary Halloween!!

Halloween Evil Drink Lab | HonestlyYUM

Gremlin Drops

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 oz blue vodka
  • 5 oz gremlinade
  • dash of spicy devil’s blood tincture (optional)

Directions:

  • Pour one test tube of blue vodka over a beaker full of ice.
  • Add ~ 5 oz of gremlinade.
  • Top with a dash of spicy devil’s blood tincture and serve.

(images by HonestlyYUM)

Conversation

Spooky and so fun!! Love experimenting with unique Halloween ideas 🙂

wow! you guys have done it again! y’all always do it! This is outstanding. Spooky!!! Tasty! I’m down!!! Now that’s a lab I can get with!

This is incredible! I particularly like the gremlinade, what a concept. Although you forgot to warn people not to drink it after midnight!

I really, *REALLY* want to be invited to your next Halloween party, Todd. Your mad-scientist drink-lab is amazing, the cocktails look gorgeous and the photography is stunning. What fun!!!

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