Our cocktail for Halloween is of course black and orange, but does not contain pumpkin or any of the other usual candy suspects.

It's designed to be your night cap after either hunting for candy through the neighborhood or fighting off Trick or Treaters at your front door.

It's dark, soothing, warms you up if needed, and also helps digest the candy you might have nibbled. Maybe as important after a busy night, it's easy to prepare and asks for only two ingredients and an easy garnish.

Our 'Dark is the Night' is basically a full bodied, slightly bitter Manhattan, where we substitute Amaro for the Sweet Vermouth.

As base spirit we chose Basil Hayden's 'Dark Rye', which is a blend of Kentucky Rye and Canadian Rye with a touch of California Port. It is full bodied and gives our creation just that slight sweetness back that we traded off with the addition of the Amaro for the Vermouth.

Our Amaro of choice is the Amaro delle Terme from Cantine Bellini, a vineyard in the Chianti region of Italy. It is made with a variety of herbs and roots, including cinchona, juniper and rhubarb, and has a very full bodied, yet smooth character.

As usual, your favorite Bourbon or Rye with any Amaro will work and give this easy two ingredient cocktail your signature flavor.

The Elan Collective Halloween Cocktail

The orange twist garnish adds a fresh and fruity note and provides the Orange to the Black. No pumpkins were harmed for this cocktail.

Dark is the Night

• 2 oz. Bourbon or Rye, such as Basil Hayden's Dark Rye
• 1 oz. Amaro, e.g. Amaro delle Terre from Bellini
• Stir for 30 sec. in a mixing glass or shaker tin and strain over ice in a Rocks glass
• Twist a slice of Orange zest gently over your glass to release its essential oils, then drop it into the drink