HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - We make spooky Halloween cocktails and sweet treats with Chef Patrick Evans Hylton.
CHEERS TO HALLOWEEN
MAKE OUR WITCH’S BREW COCKTAIL
Halloween is coming up October 31. Craft our easy and delicious Witch’s Brew Cocktail to celebrate.
Start with a Concord grape granita. Add vodka and sparkling wine to your potion. Garnish with red grapes on a rosemary skewer. The rosemary is a nod to Grace Sherwood, Witch of Pungo; lore says Sherwood brought rosemary to Virginia to use as a healing herb. Here’s how to make the cocktail:
Make the granita by adding 2 cups Concord grape juice, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed, dried rosemary in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bringing to a boil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups cold water.
Pour into an 8x8x1-1/2-inch square baking pan or similar and cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 4-6 hours, checking every 2 hours or so and using a fork to scrape the mixture to break up larger pieces of ice. Before service, also scrape the granita.
Make the cocktail by using an ice cream scoop and scooping out a generous portion of the granita into a martini or Old Fashioned glass. Add one shot (2 ounces) of vodka - we prefer vodka from Reverend Spirts by R.D. Wilhelm Distillery in Norfolk, and one shot (2 ounces) of sparkling wine. The sparkling wine in today’s segment is Szigeti, which is available retail from Press 626 in Norfolk.
Garnish with three red grapes skewered on a rosemary sprig and serve with a spoon.
+ The vodka comes from Reverend Spirts by R.D. Wilhelm Distillery, www.facebook.com/RDWilhelmDistillery
+ The Szigeti sparkling wine comes from Press 626, www.Press626.com
+ Other ingredients come from The Fresh Market, www.TheFreshMarket.com
WHOOPIE!
RICH AND DREAMY GREAT PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES FROM CAFE STELLA
The pies include rich, dreamy filling sandwiched between two delicate seasonally-spiced plump pumpkin cakes. They are hand-crafted exclusively by the talented bakers at Cafe Stella in Norfolk.
There is limited availability now through Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, Nov. 1. A portion of proceeds benefits free programming of Virginia Eats + Drinks.
The cost is $5 per whoopie. Cafe Stella is at 1907 Colonial Ave. in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood.
+ For more information visit Cafe Stella, www.CafeStellaRoasters.com
FABULOUS FOOD FIND
DELISH DISHES AT BEACH PUB
Beach Pub, near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, has been a favorite for 30 years. The casual dining restaurant offers old school seafood and southern classics. Look for dishes including:
+Beer, cocktails, and wine
+ Hatteras-style clam chowder
+ Crisp salads with traditional dressings like French
+ Seafood items like a broiled platter with clams, fish, oysters, shrimp, and hushpuppies
+ Southern items like fried chicken livers
+ For more on Beach Pub, visit www.BeachPubVB.com
FOR MORE VIRGINIA EATS + DRINKS
Get all the information from today’s Virginia Eats + Drinks on Coast Live segment plus more: giveaways, recipes, tips, and tricks on our Facebook group.
+ Join today, www.facebook.com/groups/VirginiaEatsAndDrinks
