Festive spirits to warm undead hearts this Halloween

Whether you're hosting a party or just warming up after tricking and treating, "spirits" are a fine way to get your ghoul on.

This recipe for a Warm Harvest Martini gets a sweet start from a caramel sauce coating on the rim of the glass, then goes down smooth and toasty. Use a jarred caramel sauce intended for topping ice cream sundaes (if it's too thick, heat it briefly).

The Purple People Eater is a sweet, easy cocktail with plenty of spook appeal. For a variation, fill an ice cube tray with gummie worms, add water and freeze. Use the frozen worm cubes instead of the worms called for in this recipe.

For a kid-friendly version of the Purple People Eater, ditch the alcohol and serve a blend of grape soda and cherry juice in the prepared glasses with gummie worm garnish.

___

WARM HARVEST MARTINI

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

2 ounces apple cider
2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce vanilla liqueur
2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Pinch cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick

In a 1-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, combine the cider, vodka and vanilla liqueur. Heat the mixture in the microwave until warm, but not boiling, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.

Pool the caramel sauce in a shallow bowl. Overturn a wine glass and dunk the rim in the sauce, twisting it to coat well. Turn the glass right side up. Pour the martini into the wine glass, then sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

___

PURPLE PEOPLE EATER

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

1 lime wedge
Orange crystal or decorating sugar
2 gummie worms
3 ounces tequila
3 ounces triple sec (or other orange liqueur)
1 1/2 ounces chambourd
Ice

Use the lime wedge to wet the rim of 2 martini glasses by rubbing it along the edges.

Spread the orange crystal sugar evenly in a small plate. Overturn the glasses, then one at a time dip them in the sugar, twisting them gently until the sugar coats the rims. Turn the glasses right side up, place 1 gummie worm in each and set aside.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, triple sec and chambourd. Add ice and shake well. Strain the mixture into the prepared glasses. If desired, add fresh ice to the glasses.