Toast Halloween with this Red Rum cocktail inspired by The Shining

It’s the Friday before Halloween! I must share with you a cocktail inspired by my favorite horror movie of all time: The Shining. I’m going to continue my Halloween tradition and watch the movie this weekend. This time, with a cocktail in hand. If you’ve never seen The Shining, you must add it to your must-see list.   The Shining was written by Stephen King, bestselling horror, supernatural fiction and mystery author.  It was later released as a movie in 1980, directed by Stanley Kubrick. What exactly is The Shining about?  Many speculate it is about Native American genocide, Nazism, a fake moon landing, writers block, cabin fever and even alcoholism.  Everyone has their own opinion of what the movie is about and their own interpretation of the movie ending’s plot twist. Completely different than the book’s ending. Because Stanley Kubrick changed the story so much, Stephen King despised the movie version of his book. In 1997, the made-for-TV version of The Shining is more aligned with King’s version: a haunted hotel.  Kubrick stuck to his guns and made the story more ambiguous and worked in his own ideas in the story and characters.  These changes created one of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed movies.  Not to mention its continually strong following throughout the years.

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Kubrick’s directorial technique adds to the storyline.  Slow scenes with extreme camera angles and long tracking shots when the camera moves backwards and the actor facing the camera.  The long Steadicam shots of Danny riding his tricycle along the corridors of the hotel.   Kubrick was known as a perfectionist and had the actors continually run scenes over and over.  The iconic axe scene is part of the  Guinness World Book of Records as being performed 127 times! The disorientation felt by the viewer throughout the movie is like no other.  From the impossible layout of the hotel to the continuous design patterns of the interior design to the variety of unexpected camera angles. My favorite detail of the movie is its score.  The music is eerie, uneasy and frantic, with some jazzy 20’s tunes during the Fourth of July party in the Gold Room. If you are having a low-key weekend or an epic Halloween party, serve this three-ingredient Red Rum cocktail inspired by The Shining.  It’s a perfect way to toast the evening and enjoy the holiday.  Be safe and happy Halloween! Print