As limited social gatherings remain in effect in Los Angeles, the hope of having a Halloween party with friends has completely vanished. In my head, I know it’s the right thing as we fight to control the spread of the virus. In my heart, I am so disappointed. But as they saying goes, ‘when life gives you lemons…make Demon-ade to numb the No-Halloween pain.’ All kidding aside, I made this adult version of lemonade even better by adding bourbon and red wine. Basically it’s a New York Whiskey Sour with a festive Carn’Evil’ name, but the deep ruby red color and skull ice cubes make it perfect for Halloween or any night you want to feel spooky. If spirits aren’t your thing, a kid-friendly version can be made by substituting grape juice for the wine and omitting the bourbon…but make sure to add plenty of skull ice cubes for the fun of it. I made a bunch with 3 of these silicone molds from ShapedUSA
So next year when we are able to throw parties and hug our higher-risk loved ones again, this Demon-ade can be made two ways depending on how hands on you want to be. If you don’t want to play bartender all night, make up a whole pitcher of Demon-ade by mixing all the ingredients together with a good stir. But if you want to impress your friends with a layered cocktail that they can stir themselves, make them one at a time and float the red wine over the top by slowly pouring the wine over the back of a spoon.
Demon-ade
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice and zest (about 12 lemons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 cups bourbon (omit for a kid friendly version)
- 2 cups red wine (substitute grape juice for a kid friendly version)
- 4 lemons, sliced (garnish)
- skull shaped ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
Lemon Syrup
- In a medium sauce pan, add sugar, water, and the lemon zest. Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat and allow it to cool. Remove zest from the simple syrup and then add the 1 cup of lemon juice. Let cool and refrigerate.
- To serve individual glass with the two layers: Add 2 oz. lemon syrup and 1 oz. of bourbon to a mason jar. Add 2 skull ice cubes. Now add 2 oz. red wine by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon to layer the red wine over the lemonade layer. Top with an additional skull ice cube and then serve.
- To serve a crowd, make a pitcher of Demonade: Add the 3 cups of the lemon syrup, 1½ cups bourbon, and the 3 cups red wine into pitcher. Add lots of skull ice cubes and stir to combine. Garnish with lemons. Serve.
- Kid-Friendly version: (Substitute grape juice for the red wine, omit bourbon and add a splash of club soda for a little bubbly) Add 2 oz. concentrated lemonade and ice into a mason jar. Add lemon zest soaked in grape juice and now add 2 oz. of grape juice and a splash of club soda.
