Like many Western holidays, Halloween has its roots firmly planted in the Pagan traditions of old. It channels the Gaelic festival of Samhain in particular, which commemorated the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, and the “darker days”. Western Christianity developed this into Allhalloween, or All Hallows Eve, a time to remember the dead, including the saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the good souls.

It’s fitting then to remember the man who made this puzzle box on Halloween this year. The “Don’t Shout” box is well suited for the Halloween theme, perhaps containing a spooky surprise inside that will make you want to scream.

I’ve had the Don’t Shout Box in mind for a Halloween cocktail pairing for some time now, and I’m glad to finally share it here. If you have been following my blog you will have seen the whimsical citrus peel art I like to make to accompany some of the cocktails. I’ve even gone so far as to make homages to actual pieces of art, like the Mona Lisa, and Van Gogh’s Starry Night. For the Don’t Shout Box, I’ve created a little citrus version of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. When I come up with a pairings for the blog, it usually starts with a puzzle box, and I try to determine what cocktail could compliment it well. At times, I find a great cocktail first, and there is an obvious box for it. In this case, which is probably the only time this has occurred, the pairing was driven entirely by the garnish. I knew I wanted to make The Scream, and thought this box would be perfect.

As for the cocktail, I searched and searched but was never satisfied. Whenever this happens, I simply create something that fits what I was looking for all along. This year’s Halloween cocktail is called “The Scream”. It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that on Halloween, someone’s last word might be a scream. So of course, this is a Last Word variation, modified with flavors of the fall season. The Last Word is a classic cocktail that I’ve featured here many times. This version uses cranberry and apple liqueurs in place of the traditional cherry liqueur. I also added a splash of Campari to give it a touch of blood red. It’s so good you’ll want to shout – but don’t! It’s a delicious way to celebrate the season, and remember those dearly departed. Cheers.

The Scream

¾ oz gin

¾ oz lime

¾ oz yellow Chartreuse

½ oz cranberry liqueur

¼ oz apple liqueur

¼ oz Campari

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a mini masterpiece.

For more about the Don’t Shout Box see:

Boxes and Booze: Shout Out