Edgar Allan Poe October: A Halloween Toast

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"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."

Edgar Allan Poe, "The Raven"

I don't drink.  Yes, I may indulge in an occasional serving of tiramisu.  I may even use real marsala wine in my chicken marsala, but I've never actually helped myself to a glass of it.  

That isn't to say that I've never been tempted to take a sip.  Every time I make that chicken marsala, I hold the wine bottle under my nose and breathe deeply until its rich, dark aroma settles into my marrow.  Mmmmm.

I have no proof, but I'm pretty sure I must be French somewhere in my ancestral line.

In lieu of alcohol, we drink a lot of other tasty brews around here.  This is one of our favorites.  We also like "swamp juice," especially around Halloween.

If you, too, are a non-drinking, French-feeling, kid-friendly kind of gal, then this is the cocktail for you.  

Swamp juice tastes a lot like Hawaiian Punch (wink, wink).  But when you float an eyeball in it and drizzle it with slime, it turns into a perfectly creepy libation.

 
To make the eyeball: Cut a marshmallow in half and stuff it with a chocolate chip or raisin.

For the slime:  Put a drop of food coloring into 1/4 cup of corn syrup and drizzle it along the top of a chilled glass.  Then dip the rim of your glass into sugar.

Now, please join me in raising our glasses to Mr. Edgar Allan Poe and the month of October . . . 

Cheers!

Miriam and I will see you in November as we celebrate an Alcott Autumn!