Carly: Wade, wake up. Wade! I heard something.
Wade: Yeah, it’s probably the serial killers or something.

We’re back from the dead, crafting a whole new exciting range of Halloween Cocktails, we’ve chosen some of the best Halloween films or video games and created a perfect Cocktail to accompany them, working alongside different wineries and distilleries, I’ll give you a little history into each film and the know-how to create a delicious themed Cocktail.

13 Frightful Nights – Night 3 – House of Wax

House of Wax

Delving into the world of the smaller creative Slasher films, House of Wax was released on the 6th of May (US) and 27th of May (UK), in 2005, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, it was his feature directorial debut, the film was written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes, staring Elisha Cuthbert (The Girl Next Door), Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, and Jared Padalecki (Supernatural).

We can’t speak about the 2005 House of Wax film without mentioning its history spanning back over 90 years, the origins of the story came from ‘The Wax Works’ by Charles S. Belden a short story that was released in 1932, this served for the inspiration for the 1933 film Mystery of the Wax Museum, then in 1953 the film was re-made with the title House of Wax, then latest 2005 version of House of Wax was released, loosely based on its predecessor.

Carly: This Vincent guy is quite the artist.
Wade: Yeah. I think this Vincent guy needs therapy.

The 2005 film grossed $70.1 million worldwide with a budget of $40 million, making it a financial success, it received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics but was rather highly rated by the people.

Critics ultimately criticized its lack of originality, along with its screenplay and characters, but spoke highly of the performances and atmosphere.

Bo: I’m sorry mama, some people just have no respect.

I enjoyed this Slasher film, I liked the set of characters, delivering a good balance of individuals who make smart choices and those who you end up screaming at while sitting on your sofa, not to go through that door, I thought the performances of the Brother and Sister lead helped drive the story forward, with a very interesting final stage, ‘The House of Wax’, which was showcased as the most interesting part of the town from their arrival, but never being the sole focus, and to close, having the final showdown being a race against time, with both the Brother and Sister leads being smart and capable enough to fight on their own accords.

The Sparkling Wine – Slamic

A Winery from the wonderful Sparkling Wine producing country of Croatia, with a vast and delicious history, Croatian Sparkling Wines aren’t often experienced outside of the country, they even say that the best Croatian Sparkling Wines never leave the country, well, it seems that this little gem slipped out and made its way to the Glass of Bubbly Awards, taking home a Silver Medal, produced in the Traditional Method, this Sparkling Wine is well worth a taste.

Didin San Rosé Brut – Tasting Notes – ”An explosion of gorgeous pink floral, smooth pink blossom, ripe freshly picked raspberries, strawberries, and even more red fruits, including red apple flesh.”

Silver Medal in the Light & Fruity Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2023

The Gin – Shed One

Andy and Zoe, husband and wife, launched Shed One Gin officially in October 2016 in the market town and birthplace of Stan Laurel, Ulverston, Cumbria, they produce classically distilled craft gin in a contemporary style, a true micro-distillery, with approximately 160 bottles per batch, with their first creation being called Cuckold’s Revenge.

They started their operation out of their Garden Shed, then upgraded and moved to The Old Calf Shed in 2019, this is when they opened their visitor attraction which went on to win Cumbria Tourism’s Experience of the Year in 2022, with them hosting Cumbria’s only Make Your Own Gin Experiences. If you can’t go in person, then check out their website, they have a dedicated section on how to start your own micro-distillery: So You Want to Set up a Gin Distillery?

They also offer Distillery Tours & Tastings and a botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea.

Let’s meet the stars behind Shed One Gin.

Andy has been a professional actor for over 20 years. During that time, he’s tread the boards from Land’s End to John O’Groats and from Asia to America and Zoe started her work life as a special paint finisher, then got the opportunity to teach in Japan for a year. That turned into a 7-year stint in Asia.

They bumped into each other in South Korea and Zoe returned back to the UK the following year. Andy’s home was already in Cumbria and when they moved to Ulverston they realised they’d found somewhere very special.

Zoe was the one to start it all, she had been making compound gin elixirs for a while, which piqued the interest of Andy, with him getting more and more interested in the process. After playing with various different botanicals for a while they decided it was time to take it up a notch and produce their very own gin. The next question was where. Somewhere big enough for a small still, close to home would be good, rent-free even better.

“How about the shed?”

“Which one?”

“Shed One, closest to the house.”

And so, Shed One Distillery was born.

 Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Pink candies, pink rose petals, juicy red apples, very smooth with a creamy sensation.”

Flavour – “Alive with red fruits, red apples, pink rose petals, pink blossom, and delicate pink candy notes on the palate.”

House of Wax Cocktail

Ingredients

• Pink Sparkling Wine
• Chilli Fest Gin from Shed One
• Chilli Flakes
• Cinnamon
• Ice

How To Make The House of Wax Cocktail

1. Pour in 15mls of Chilli Fest Gin from Shed One
2. Top up with 75mls of Pink Sparkling Wine
3. Drop in a couple of Ice Cubes
4. Sprinkle on some Chilli Flakes
5. Add a Pinch or Two of Cinnamon

Tasting Notes

Aroma – “A gentle welcoming touch of cinnamon invites you in, but within a moment’s notice, you’ll feel increasingly hotter notes of chili coming through with subtle notes of pink candy on the aroma.”

Flavours – “Chilled smoothness inhabits the palate with almost creamy pink candy, pink rose petals and ripe red apples, but then the lights go out and you’re plunged into a display of spicy chilies and ground cinnamon, leaving a powdery sensation in the palate.”

Happy Halloween from Glass of Bubbly