Starry Wisdom: The Bourbon Lover’s Halloween Cocktail

Erin Petrey -

While visiting Lexington, KY recently, I had the pleasure of stopping into the West Main Crafting Co., a fresh new addition to the Bluegrass cocktail scene. The drink menu is gorgeous and is presented in a beautiful, bound book with vivid photos of each creation. The beauty of these drinks transcends the page, and these are the best drinks I have had in Lexington. Betraying my Bourbon loyalty, the Pickled Gimlet – featuring gin, wild leek cordial, and lemongrass – is a must try. The house Sazerac is also a delight.

The food at West Main is also top-notch. The wings – especially the Old Fashioned Wings – are exceptional, lending the sweet flavors of both bourbon and orange citrus to the perfectly crispy wings.

After making this incredible discovery in the heart of downtown Lexington, I invited the very talented folks at West Main to join Bourbon & Banter in creating a unique cocktail to toast to Halloween. Paying homage to our mutual love of the original master of horror – H.P. Lovecraft – the Starry Wisdom (based on the tale of “Starry Wisdom Cult”) is the perfect way to quench your thirst whilst conjuring from the putrid depths the horrible beast of Cthulhu or paying tribute to the loathsome Outer Gods exiled to the stars. It is not a simple drink – only reserved for the most seasoned and fearless of worshipers – but one that will no doubt serve to rouse the deep slumber of the most ancient of the Great Old Ones from the vile depths of R’lyeh.

STARRY WISDOM

  • 1oz Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
  • .5oz Spiced Rum
  • 1.5oz Carrot Cake Shrub (carrot juice, ginger juice, honey, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, clove, apple cider vinegar)
  • .25oz Averna (or another Averna in a pinch)
  • .25oz Pecan Liqueur (which goes well with other bourbon drinks, as well as over ice cream)
  • 2 dashes bitters
  • Clove Tincture to garnish (optional)
  • Star Anise to garnish

The Starry Wisdom cocktail is definitely geared toward the more adventurous cocktail makers, but yields a delightful result. It also gives you a great idea of what kind of amazing drinks West Main Crafting has in store for its guests.

For a simpler way to put a bit more bourbon in your Halloween (Boo-urbon?), go with a classic shot-and-a-beer combo with a Black IPA (or Schwarzbier) and a shot of your favorite bourbon. I call it the “Booilermaker”. Chase with your choice of fun-size candy.