{"id":29575,"date":"2023-10-18T20:18:30","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T00:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=29575"},"modified":"2025-07-21T15:32:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T19:32:31","slug":"new-recipes-a-frightening-flight-of-deadly-cocktails-for-halloween-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2023\/10\/18\/new-recipes-a-frightening-flight-of-deadly-cocktails-for-halloween-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"NEW RECIPES: A frightening flight of deadly cocktails for Halloween 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated July 21, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

The pursuit of dangerous Zombies and other potent libations served in ominous mugs is a year-round pursuit for many of us. But the Halloween season is prime time for mixologists to conjure up creative new potions for the not-so-faint of heart.<\/p>\n

To meet that challenge, we offer up a flight of three deadly drinks with a dark and foreboding flair. And, of course, more than a touch of Tiki.<\/p>\n

Go directly to the recipes<\/em>
\nRound 1: The Black Magic Cocktail<\/a><\/strong>
\nRound 2: Shrunken Pumpkin Head<\/a><\/strong>
\nRound 3: Return of the Zombie Dolphin<\/a><\/strong> UPDATED<\/B><\/FONT><\/p>\n

\"Hulaween<\/a>
\nHulaween on hiatus: Relive the madness at The Mai-Kai<\/strong><\/a>
\nWith the Tiki temple closed for refurbishment, take a look back at 12 years of Halloween events in The Molokai bar. <\/a><\/p>\n

**************************************************<\/strong><\/div>\n

First, let’s warm up with a new twist on the ever-popular classic from The Mai-Kai Polynesian restaurant<\/a> …<\/p>\n

The Black Magic Cocktail<\/strong>
\n(A tribute to The Atomic Grog’s tribute to The Mai-Kai’s Black Magic<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Black Magic Cocktail at The Atomic Grog, October 2023. The Mai-Kai Shrunken Head mug by Tiki Tony and Eekum Bookum for The Hukilau 2017. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

• 1\/4 ounce fresh orange juice
\n• 1\/2 ounce fresh lime juice
\n• 1\/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
\n• 1\/2 ounce rich honey mix
\n• 3\/4 ounces freshly brewed and chilled coffee
\n• 1 ounce dark Jamaican rum (Mai-Kai blend or substitute)
\n• 1 ounce gold (lightly aged) Spanish-style rum
\n• 1\/2 ounces dark rum
\n• 1\/4 ounce Mariano’s Mix #7
\n• 1\/2 teaspoon allspice dram
\n• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters<\/p>\n

Pulse blend with 1 cup of crushed ice for 5 seconds. Strain into a chilled 6-ounce cocktail glass.<\/p>\n

There’s a symphony of flavors packed into this small sipper. It’s rich and heavy on the spice and coffee, even more so than its big brother. Without the ice in the glass, it stays robust to the last drop. The bitters and allspice balance the sweet and sour notes, leaving the rums to form a solid but not overwhelming backbone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mixing tips:<\/strong> Yes, there are lots of ingredients here, no less than the beloved 10-ounce original<\/a> served in a 24-ounce snifter with loads of crushed ice. The only simplification is allspice dram instead of Don’s Spices #2.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Atomic Grog’s tribute to The Mai-Kai’s Black Magic featuring Mariano’s Mix #7. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, April 2020)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, this condensed version manages to be both more intensely concentrated, yet also very easy to drink. Resist the urge to shake like a Daiquiri. The spindle blender perfectly aerates the drink and gives it that signature foamy head.<\/p>\n

If you’re having a party, feel free to mix up a larger batch in a Waring-style blender. Just be sure to use the proper amount of crushed ice and pour into small chilled coupes through a wire-mesh strainer.<\/p>\n

Ingredient notes: <\/strong> Here are some simplified tips. For a deep dive into the ingredients, check out the history of Black Magic tribute recipes.<\/a> Fresh but chilled coffee is a must, along with fresh juices. Florida OJ is always best, along with white grapefruit. In a pinch, we’re not opposed to using a bottle of Ocean Spray’s “Pure 100%” juice. It’s preferable to fresh red grapefruit.<\/p>\n

Mariano’s Mix #7<\/a> is discussed in depth in the Black Magic story, so check there for details. It’s an exotic syrup that dates back to Don the Beachcomber<\/a>, later brought to The Mai-Kai in 1956 by original mixologist Mariano Licudine<\/a>. Our hack is to combine falernum syrup with Herbsaint. We don’t mind if you simply use a rich falernum (like Fee Brothers) and one or two drops of Herbsaint, Pernod or absinthe for just a hint of anise.<\/p>\n

Like the original, the rum blend is a bit complicated but worth the effort. There’s no need to reach for expensive bottles, however. Standard brands, such as Don Q or Cruzan, are fine for the “gold” rum. Bacardi Black is preferred, but Goslings is also an OK substitute for the dark rum. The Mai-Kai’s Jamaican rum blend is the key, however. Until the restaurant reopens and we can get our hands on the new 100-proof Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, we have many possible options<\/a> to replace the long-lost Kohala Bay and Dagger.<\/a> For the purposes of this recipe, the easiest route is to simply use equal parts of 114-proof Smith & Cross and 80-proof El Dorado 12.<\/p>\n

\"Mai-Kai
\nMai-Kai cocktail review: The Black Magic emerges from the darkness as a true classic<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

We hope that this more elegant but only slightly less powerful version of the Black Magic (2 1\/2 ounce of rum instead of 3 1\/2) will kick off our frightening flight in style.<\/p>\n

Mahalo to Derek for featuring the Black Magic Cocktail on the Make and Drink channel<\/a> on YouTube …<\/p>\n