Before the wonderfully amazing freak show that was Jeff & Suzee’s party, Alex and I went to his “family circus” party. I thought I loved Halloween… these folks take it SERIOUSLY. I’ve discovered we need to up our Halloween game.

We arrived a little early, and everyone was still getting their makeup on. But when done, what emerged from the back room was truly terrifying, and intriguing at the same time. His cousin Michael had been through a transformation, and emerged as a zombie of the worst kind. He was surrounded by all kinds of sugar skulls and skeletons.

What I love about Alex’s family is they have the best time together, and they do it every holiday. They always make traditional food, but they also have some creative themed snacks. For this event, they had made Cake Ball eyeballs, and Bone Rice Crispy Treats. So creative.

So go ahead, be crazy.  Be creative.  Even be a bit scary this year.  This is what Halloween is all about.  Oh! And below is a cocktail inspired by all this sugary goodness!

The Sugar Skull

• 2 oz tequila
• ¼ c vanilla ice cream
• ¼ c ice
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• Light Corn Syrup
• Black lava salt
• Edible flowers for garnish

On a small plate, drop about 1 tsp of corn syrup on the plate, and on another plate drop about 1 tsp of salt. Dip the edge of a martini glass in light corn syrup and then dip in black salt to stick to the glass. In a blender, combine tequila, ice cream, ice, cinnamon and cardamom and pulse until smooth.