“It’s Showtime”

Welcome to a new year of spooky Cocktails, where we choose a Halloween film and create a perfect Cocktail to go alongside, I’ll give you a little history into each film and the know-how to create a delicious Cocktail.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, (no, don’t say it!) Beetlejuice… Michael Keaton portrayed the character of Beetlejuice perfectly, the only thing you were wanting by the end, was more Beetlejuice and there is a real possibility all these years later that we could be seeing a Beetlejuice 2.

Beetlejuice was directed by the much loved,  Tim Burton and it was written by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren. McDowell had originally written a darker version of the script, including a more graphic version of the Maitlands car crash, but after Skaaren was brought on board, they ended up with the version we all know and love.

“What’s the good of being a ghost if you can’t frighten people away?”

Upon its release, it made $8 Million in the opening weekend, bringing in a combined $73 Million in North America, making it the 10th highest-grossing film of 1988.

• Beetlejuice (1988 – 30th March US, 19th August UK)
• Beetlejuice 2 (TBC)

Although there is no confirmed release date at the time of writing this, an official sequel to Beetlejuice is planning to be made, with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder reprising their roles, the film is in the hands of Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures.

“I know just as much about the supernatural as I do about interior design”

We speak of a sequel hopefully releasing soon, but back in 1990, Tim Burton had planned to make ‘Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian’, yes, he thought the Hawaiian backdrop combined with German Expressionism would be a winning combo, the story would have gone like this: Charles Deetz gets a contract to develop a resort in Hawaii, so the Deetz family packs their bags and jet off to the paradise island, to soon find that the resort is being built on an ancient Hawaiian burial ground, the spirits would come back from the afterlife and wreak havoc, three Beetlejuice’s later, he would come back and save the day by winning a surf contest with magic.

In some ways, you’d want to see it, but in other ways, you’re glad it never happened, the reason for that was because Burton and Keaton both became distracted with Batman Returns, it’s interesting to note that both Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder agreed to do the film, as long as Tim Burton directed.

Beetlejuice also made its way onto Broadway (Beetlejuice The Musical), the music and lyrics were written by Eddie Perfect and the Musical book was written by Scott Brown and Anthony King.

“My whole life is a dark room”

• Beetlejuice TV Show (1989 – 9th of September) Aired for 4 Seasons.
• Season 1 – 13 Episodes
• Season 2 – 8 Episodes
• Season 3 – 8 Episodes
• Season 4 – 65 Episodes

That number is correct, they truly went all out with their final season, rewarding their fans with 65 episodes brand new episodes, it is an animated show following Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice, unfortunately, they are voiced by other actors, but the intro to the show is certainly worth watching at very least.

Now, before we call his name again, let’s meet the Sparkling Wine that will be diving deep into the glass to create this cocktail.

“Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose”

The Sparkling Wine – Midas Prosecco

‘Dionysus, the God of Wine, granted King Midas his wish of turning everything he touches into gold. Having almost lost his loved ones to his power, Midas soon learned that true wealth isn’t gold or possessions, but love and experiences.’

‘Making memories and celebrating moments is the heart of the Midas tale. Signed with a touch of Gold, Midas Prosecco goes beyond generations of knowledge to create the finest quality liquid to be shared with everyone.’ Their logo ‘Midas’ is designed in a way that makes it look like King Midas signed it himself with his golden touch.

Located in Bournemouth, they bring the Prosecco over from Italy, where they sell online and to local hospitality establishments, you can find it in many places around the local area.

Their vines are refreshed by the sea breeze from the Adriatic, some of their vines are over 40 years old.

They also put a lot of effort into their sustainability efforts, they don’t use any weed killers in their vineyards and use renewable energy whenever they can, their Proseccos are also Vegan Friendly.

Their Rosé contains 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Nero to give its blush colour. You’ll often find that prosecco spends between 10-30 days on the lees, whereas Midas stays in contact for 120 days.

Midas Prosecco Rosé Extra Brut – Tasting Notes

Aroma – ” Sweet red cherries, strawberries jelly candy sweets, raspberries, vanilla and raspberry ripple ice cream and hints of waffle with pink icing sugar on top.”

Flavour – “Soft pink floral, pink blossom strawberries, strawberry sweets, unripe raspberries, cherry blossom and deeper red berries on the palate.”

Silver Medal in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2022

Outlaw Rum

“Having trouble with the living?”

Outlaw Rum was started from a journey of two lifelong friends wanting to create a unique spirit, crafting a bespoke Rum blend, Jim and Pat started their production with a premium Caribbean Rum that was born in Trinidad, cask-aged, then matured in Scotland.

Beginning in Trinidad but never destined for a life in the Caribbean, the Rum then sailed overseas and through ferocious storms, to rest in the heart of Malt Whisky country, where its unique cask maturation process rubs shoulders with the Whisky elite. Utilising the very best wood management and specific cask selection, the spirit evolves its unique nose and taste profile.

I reached out to Jim Ashley, the Founder & Director of Outlaw Rum to ask him a couple of questions, including: ‘What Seduced You Into The Rum World, To Start Producing Your Own Rum?’

“We lived in Trinidad for 4.5 years, our kids effectively grew up there, so a real soft spot for the islands and the culture. Whilst there I would bring class whisky whilst my mates would bring quality Rum and we’d have a proper taste off. That’s where I got to try some proper cask aged Rum and when back in UK, after being moved back, unable to find decent cask aged Rum of the quality we had had in Trinidad the daft idea came about for Outlaw Rum – proper Rum enjoyed the proper way and very much on par with a good whisky.” – Jim Ashley

The Outlaw blend is a cask aged Rum of a minimum of 3 years, but has a mix of 5, 7 and 10 year old rum to give the richness and outstanding taste profile.

‘What Inspired You To Call The Company Outlaw Rum and What Was The Inspiration Behind Your Unique Label Design?’

“Outlaw Rum as we are in the traditional heartland of illicit distilling in Scotland and a known area of those who bend the rules whilst showing what a proper dram should be in the back garden of the Dufftown whisky elite. We are happy to compete against single malt in their traditional heartland.” – Jim Ashley

Outlaw Rum Tasting Notes

Aroma – “A wonderful smooth blend of almond extract/oils, vanilla, caramel with wood and oaky notes on the aroma.”

Flavour – “Complete, smooth, with gorgeous vanilla, almond extract, hints of honey, creamy and oaky characters to end the experience.”

The Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Cocktail

Ingredients

• Sparkling Wine
• Outlaw Rum
• Candy Snakes
• Green Food Colouring

How To Make The Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Cocktail

1. Pour in 20mls of Outlaw Rum
2. Top Up with 100mls of Sparkling Wine
3. Add a Few Drops of Green Food Colouring
4. To Finish Drop In A Handful of Candy Snakes

Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Touch of green notes, almond oils, vanilla and hard jelly candy sweets on the aroma.”

Flavours – “Soft and sweet initially, the Rum creeps up behind for a surprise attack at the mid-length to the close, with vanilla, almond extract, the snake sweets have soaked into the cocktail gifting fruity characters, primarily blackberry candy characters, with a delicate touch of red berries in the background.”

Happy Halloween