Halloween cocktails and spirits

Halloween inspires some scary cocktails. But you can find some treats among the tricks. Here are four.

From the producers of  Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka comes the very post-Impressionist PepperMint Pattini. Add 1 1/2 ounces of the chocolate vodka, 1/2 ounce of crème de menthe, 1/2 ounce of chocolate liqueur and 1/2 ounce of cream to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with Peppermint Pattie wedge. I'd eat the wedge last.

The Twisted Rivoli highlights Courvoisier, honoring Cognac and Busta Rhymes. Pour one part Courvoisier VSOP, 1/2 part apricot brandy and a splash of dark cacao into a cocktail shaker, then add 2 teaspoons of shredded marmalade. Stir briskly. Fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Start singing.

And I do vaguely remember enjoying something called a Banana Banshee on a Caribbean beach. The exact ingredients elude me. But if you put a bottle of Thunderbird to my head, I'd improvise with some crème de cacao, crème de banana, a touch of cream and a few shots of very good rum, all shaken with ice and strained.