Halloween is quickly approaching and it is the perfect time to “trick” your friends into thinking you spent all week slaving in the kitchen to prepare. We have all the goods to make this bash as spooky and devilish as possible. The “treats” on this menu would be perfect for a pre-Halloween soiree.

Vampire Kiss Martini
(www.foodtv.com)

• 1 part vodka, chilled
• 1 part Champagne
• 1 part Chambord
• Garnish with wax teeth, plastic spider and or a marischino cherry

Directions

Pour vodka in a martini glass, top with Champagne and pour a little of the Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float.

R.I.P. Cake
(www.foodtv.com)

• 8-inch square baked chocolate cake (from mix or scratch)
• Store bought chocolate icing
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• Green food coloring
• White chocolate bar
• Black icing (can also use semisweet chocolate morsels, melted in microwave)

Directions

Coat cake with chocolate icing. Combine coconut and enough green food coloring to make green “grass”.

Break the white chocolate bar into squares for tombstones. Break off a few with jagged edges to look like old stones.

Place black icing or melted chocolate into a plastic zip-tip bag and cut a tiny hole in the corner. Pipe ‘RIP’ onto the chocolate squares. Allow to dry. (You can place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes for a quick dry.)
Sprinkle grass over top of cake. Insert pieces of white chocolate to make tombstones.

Goulish Eye Ball Punch

• 3 (12-ounce) bottles strawberry smoothies
• 2 quarts orange juice
• 3 cans lemon/lime soda
• 1 cup Vodka (omit for a non alcoholic version)
• 2 Cups of melon balls (honey dew or whatever you can find); cut in small circles (with a melon baller to resemble eyeballs)

For ice cubes:

• 2 packages gummy bear worms
• 1 (32-ounce) container cranberry juice

Directions

Stick 1 gummy worm in each cube, with half of the worm hanging out. Pour cranberry juice into the ice cube trays. Place in freezer at least 2 hours before mixing the punch.

Pour the strawberry smoothies, the orange juice and the lemon/lime soda into a large punch bowl and stir.

Take the gummy worm ice cubes out of the freezer, and add half of them to the punch. Place remaining cubes into glasses and fill each glass with punch.

Scary Cupcakes

• Store bought chocolate cupcakes or (box mix)
• store bought cream cheese or butter cream frosting
• orange food coloring
• candy corn for garnish

Directions

Mix well: 10-15 drops of food coloring into frosting. Spread onto cupcakes and garnish with candy corn.

Mysterious Espresso Martini
Serves 8

• 2 cups freshly brewed espresso, chilled
• 2 cups orange-flavored vodka (recommended: Stoli Ohrani)
• 1 cup coffee liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
• 8 slices orange peel, twisted
• chocolate sauce

Directions

Dip rim of martini glasses in chocolate sauce. Fill a shaker with ice. Add the espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur. Shake until foamy. Strain into martini glass and decorate with the orange peel or a cherry.

(Kristin Hamzik)

We firmly believe that Martinis, Manicures and Massages were just destined to be together. They are all things women love and they all start with “ma”- it’s as if they were created specifically to lure us into special events. Well, we’ll gladly take the bait anytime, especially when it’s affordable.It looks like Sheque Chicago has us all figured out because this Friday at 7pm they are hosting “Manicure, Massages, Martinis and More” at MaxBar (2247 N. Lincoln Ave.). For only $20.00 (when tickets are purchased in advance at shequechicago.com) you can enjoy a 3 hour cocktail reception, shopping, prizes and beauty services. Beauty Services will include manicures and massages (of course), and will also include make-overs and waxing. You don’t have to worry about missing out if the place is packed. Each guest is guaranteed at least one beauty treatment with their ticket.

Since you will probably head straight to MaxBar after work, when the event winds down around 10pm chances are you’ll be starving. You’re in luck because just a few blocks over at Café Ba Ba Reeba you can nosh on $3 tapas and sip $3 Bud Lights from 10pm-12am. And, being a Lettuce Entertain You establishment, you can earn points on your frequent diner card. If you don’t have one yet, get one. There is a Lettuce restaurant on just about every corner in Chicago, so if you are going to eat there you might as well get something out of it other than just great food!