Halloween is right around the corner. And for craft cocktail fans in Chicago the celebration has already started. The Langham—a 5-star hotel in the heart of downtown—has teamed up with another luxury brand, Moet Hennessy, to concoct a series of drinks inspired by one of television’s most ghoulish series…behold the Stranger Things tipple takeover.
From now until November 2nd, Travelle, the property’s lobby-adjacent bar and restaurant, will feature drinks that any fans of the show will immediately appreciate. Highlights include the “011 Waffle” cocktail—garnished with a miniaturized Eggo, and the “D. Gorgan”, which wears a hibiscus flower bearing a striking resemblance to the splayed mouth of the namesake monster.
But even if you’ve never heard of the “Upside Down,” a mere interest in high-minded mixology is enough to make you quite curious with this menu. The 011 Waffle, for example, combines a light-drinking single malt from Glenmorangie with the peaty punch of Ardbeg Wee Beastie to form the base of a fall-flavored riff on a Penicillin. It finds balance amidst chaos and rides it all down with the frothy texture of a proper egg white sour.
Their Milk Punch includes equal parts Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège and Reflection—an ultra-premium Kentucky straight bourbon from the talented whiskeymakers at Blue Run. It’s elegant, spirit-forward, and most certainly the best cocktail you’ve ever had served with Dungeons & Dragons dice.
To takeover culminates with a Stranger Things Halloween bash on October 29th, which is open to the public. Travelle hasn’t released all the details on what it will entail, but promises that the space will “undergo a spooky transformation.”
If you’re not in Chicago at the time, fret not: we’re including some of the best recipes below. So feel free to throw your own Stranger Things Halloween party. And if you’re passing through the Windy City at a later date, Travelle is worth checking out regardless of the season. It enjoys a stunning position overlooking the Chicago River. The backbar holds an enviable list of premium spirits and specializes in playful preparations inspired by famed art pieces. El Pajaro is a standout example; a rendering of mezcal, sherry, port and chocolate bitters in a bird-shaped glass.
Now for those Stranger Things cocktail recipes:
The 011 WAFFLE COCKTAIL
- 2 oz. X by Glenmorangie
- .25 oz. Ardbeg Wee Beastie
- .75 oz. Lemon Juice
- .75 oz. Maple Syrup
- .50 oz. Orange Juice
- 2 Dash Angostura Bitters
- Egg White
Combine into a shaker on ice and shake vigorously.
Garnish: Cinnamon & Maple Sugar Powder + Mini Waffle
Glassware: Rocks Glass. Over large rock.
D. Gorgan
- 2 oz. Volcan de mi Tierra X.A
- .5 oz. Hibiscus Sorrel Cordial
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 Dashes Angostura Orange. Bitters
- Pearl Dust
Combine into shaker with ice.
Garnish: Fresh Hibiscus Flower (looks identical to Demogorgon)
Glassware: Rocks Glass. Over large Rock
MILK PUNCH COCKTAIL
- 1 oz. Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
- 1 oz. Blue Run Reflection Bourbon
- 2 oz. Honey Comb Milk Punch
Combine into shaker with ice.
Garnish: Served on lunch tray with red & white straw and Dungeons & Dragons dice on tray.
Glassware: Rocks Glass
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradjaphe/2022/10/23/the-langham-chicago-is-serving-stranger-things-themed-cocktails-for-halloween/