Witches Brew

By Christine Johnson

I love the start of fall when the air becomes crisp, and the winds shift from hot to cold. There is something about this magical season that sends a renewed energy. In Coronado, we open our windows and doors for the day, put on a light sweater and start to think about lighting the fireplace in the coming months. But there is another “feature” to this month that allows the island to come to life. One of the memories that always sticks in my head from before I lived here year-round, is the sight of Halloween. The shops on main street take on the colors of purple and orange, and the homes begin to decorate with ghosts and goblins galore. One of the best parts, is that you soon realize friends and neighbors love to participate in the seasons and make it fun for kids and adults alike. I don’t know about you, but it always seems to create pressure for me! Do I have the right skeletons? Should I use dry ice? Change my house lights to orange? Or maybe just retreat and close my curtains? After all, the Halloween candy has been in the grocery store since the end of August so I’m already behind.

Truth is, I miss the days when my daughter was young, and we made a day of searching for the right costume and trick or treated together. Gone are the days when she wanted to be a princess or a witch and would scream with delight when she got a large candy bar in her candy bucket. Now in college, the costumes have changed to a few things I’m not that comfortable with and candy probably isn’t even on the list. So now it’s time for me to have buckets of candy and decorate for the kids in the neighborhood who look forward to coming to my house and give me the smiles I adore. The magic of October 31st is sitting at your home and answering the door and greeting your tenth Spiderman with complete enthusiasm like he is the first one you have seen that night. I also applaud the parents who take the time to make costumes for their children. That effort and creativity does not go unnoticed.

Thank you, Coronado, for showing up on each and every holiday. Whether it’s the flags flying, Santa and his sleigh, or a ghost high up in a palm tree, this island represents! Now I am going to do you a favor. When the kids have fallen asleep from their sugar intake, and the porch lights have gone dark, it’s time for adults to have some “candy” of their own. After all a little Witches Brew never hurt anyone…

Drink Ingredients

(makes about 3 drinks)

· 1 cup vodka

· 2 cups tart cherry juice (can use cranberry if preferred)

· 1 can sprite (or sparkling soda if preferred)

· 2 cups of regular ice

· 1 lime slice

· Wine glass or cocktail glass

Glass Rim Decoration

· Corn syrup

· Red gel coloring

· Black sugar

· ½ cup dry ice (optional)