The Candy Corn Cosmopolitan: A Halloween Cocktail That’s a Treat, Not a Trick
I thought I couldn’t sink lower than Skittles vodka slushies. But there I was, standing at the register in my regular liquor store, with a bottle of Stoli Whipped in my hand, simultaneously indignant ("This is for work; I don’t care what people think!") and ashamed. Eager to get home where this unholy experiment could unravel in the dark quiet of my kitchen.
The plan: Make a Candy Corn Martini.
It’s got the look, but that’s it, really. For candy corn lovers, the flavor’s just not there.
A Lesson in "Looks Aren’t Everything"
The Candy Corn Martini is a lesson in "looks aren’t everything." It’s also a lesson in layering.
Drink the rainbow. Skittles vodka slushies hack into that Halloween stash.
At the base, candy corn vodka, made by dissolving the happy little nuggets in a toxic bath of Stoli. The recipe suggested vanilla or whipped (which is supposed to be whipped cream-flavored).
"I’d have gone with vanilla," Arthur Boothe told me later.
I enlisted this pro bartender, owner of Death in the Afternoon (930 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando), for help after making the recipe, which, as my boss had hoped, was cute.
It was also utterly undrinkable. The flavor of the candy corn vodka, buried at the bottom, was lost in a wash of pineapple juice, which comprised the middle layer. Topped (or more accurately, virtually sealed-in) with whipped cream, one must fight their lips through to the drink beneath or else make an effort to get both drink and whipped cream in one’s mouth.
Arthur Boothe, co-owner of Death in the Afternoon, prepares a French Drip absinthe drink at his bar on Orlando’s North Mills Avenue.
There is no elegant way to do this. Moreover, with one sip, the spell is broken, and the cocktail’s true nature, like a demon slipping from its disguise, reveals itself. It is an abomination.
And so, I wondered: Could I make a true cocktail for candy corn lovers that wasn’t?
Boothe’s input helped.
"Nobody at home is going to layer a drink," he opined. "I wouldn’t."
And yet Google turned up 20 versions of this drink on the first search. None, no surprise here, were from places like Liquor or Punch.
There were a few variations — a couple included butterscotch schnapps, others listed molasses, maple syrup, cake vodka (dear God) — but all included the homemade candy hooch. And pineapple juice. I chose the one with the most good reviews (66).
The Candy Corn Cosmopolitan
I give you the Candy Corn Cosmopolitan, wherein the homemade vodka pairs with lime juice and Aperol for a chilled and cheery-orange holiday sip that hints at its Brachs foundation while offering the bright balance of acid and bitterness. It’s still sweet (sweeter still with that sugar rim) but not at all treacly.
The Kandy Korn Kir Royale, my editor will note, offers a bit of layering at the serving point. This one’s simple and more candy corn-forward. The booze goes in the bottom of the flute; a dry prosecco is layered on top. It gives that candy corn-inspired visual, and a quick swizzle will bring that flavor up through the sparkling wine. You may even catch its distinct aroma.
Conclusion
The key to making a true candy corn cocktail lies in balancing sweet, sour, and bitter elements. I experimented with sour, herbal, and bitter elements to get the Candy Corn Cosmopolitan just right. The result is a drink that candy corn fans can appreciate, theme junkies can serve, and I can manage to drink without adding too much to the sugar orgy that Halloween already is.
FAQs
- What is the best way to make a candy corn martini?
- Try the Candy Corn Cosmopolitan recipe, which combines homemade vodka, lime juice, and Aperol for a balanced and festive drink.
- What is the difference between the Candy Corn Cosmopolitan and the Kandy Korn Kir Royale?
- The Candy Corn Cosmopolitan is a layered cocktail with a sweet and sour flavor profile, while the Kandy Korn Kir Royale is a simpler, more candy corn-forward drink with a bubbly twist.
- Can I make a candy corn martini at home?
- Yes, you can make a candy corn martini at home by infusing vodka with candy corn and mixing it with other ingredients like grenadine and pineapple juice.
