Halloween Feature, Day 4: The Halloween Sour
Day 4 of our Halloween Feature, and today's drink casts a spell with one bottle in particular.
Strega is a golden Italian herbal liqueur, and its name means "witch." It's sweet, minty, a little saffron-y, and perfect for this time of year. The Halloween Sour puts it front and center.
Who made it
The Halloween Sour was created in September 2025 by Simon Difford, and the recipe is published on Difford's Guide.
The recipe
¾ oz London dry gin
¾ oz aquavit
¾ oz Strega
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon rich simple syrup (2:1)
½ oz pasteurized egg white (or a few dashes of vegan foamer)
3 drops saline solution (or a tiny pinch of salt)
Shake everything hard with ice. Strain the drink back into the shaker, ditch the ice, and shake again without ice to build a thick foam. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe or sour glass. Express a lemon twist over the top and use it as your garnish.
Why it works
Gin brings juniper, aquavit brings caraway and dill, and Strega brings honeyed herbs. Together they make a sour that tastes like an apothecary in the best way, with lemon keeping it bright and the egg white giving it a soft, velvety cap.
Bartender tip: The "reverse dry shake" above (ice first, then no ice) gives you a denser, longer-lasting foam than shaking without ice first. It's one of those small techniques that makes a home drink look professional.
See you tomorrow for Day 5. Want to master shakes like this? Our 4-day certification class is built for career-changers and cocktail lovers alike.