RedRum Punch Recipe: A Chillingly Delicious Halloween Cocktail

Halloween is the perfect time for spooky movies, fun costumes, and of course, themed food and drinks! If you’re looking for a show-stopping cocktail to impress your guests, look no further than the RedRum Punch. Inspired by the classic horror film, “The Shining,” this vibrant red drink is sure to be a hit at any Halloween gathering. This RedRum Punch recipe is not only delicious and refreshing but also visually striking, making it the ultimate addition to your spooky celebration. Get ready to transport your guests to the Overlook Hotel with every sip of this hauntingly good concoction!

But before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the inspiration behind this spooky beverage: “The Shining.”

The Shining: A Cinematic Masterpiece

Who hasn’t seen the movie “The Shining”? Well, if you haven’t, you absolutely need to. This iconic psychological horror film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, has captivated audiences for decades with its eerie atmosphere, unsettling imagery, and unforgettable performances. While I will be the first to admit that scary movies are NOT my favorite, especially the slasher kind, but movies like this one, that keep you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, or snuggling close to that special someone only to leave a bruise on their leg where you grabbed it in a moment of fear… these movies are so worth it!

“The Shining” is a movie like that. A family trapped in a snowstorm in a hotel in the mountains, totally alone, and totally losing their minds. The story revolves around the Torrance family – Jack, Wendy, and their son Danny – as they spend the winter as caretakers of the isolated Overlook Hotel. As the family becomes increasingly isolated, Jack’s sanity deteriorates, and Danny experiences terrifying visions. The film is a masterclass in suspense, using atmosphere and psychological tension to create a truly chilling experience.

Jack Nicholson plays an author that thinks an opportunity of spending the winter at this hotel with his family to work on his book, sounds like the perfect way to spend the winter. But quickly things turn badly. Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance is nothing short of legendary, perfectly capturing the character’s descent into madness. Shelley Duvall delivers a powerful performance as Wendy Torrance, the terrified wife and mother desperately trying to protect her family. And Danny Lloyd, as young Danny, is incredibly compelling as he grapples with his psychic abilities and the terrifying secrets of the Overlook Hotel.

As he types and types and slowly begins to lose his marbles his son begins seeing things and people that aren’t there. Peddling the halls on his big wheel, he begins to repeat the word “REDRUM.” The film is filled with iconic scenes and memorable quotes, from the chilling image of the Grady twins to the terrifying moment when Jack bursts through the door with an ax, shouting “Here’s Johnny!” The use of long, winding corridors, unsettling music, and dreamlike sequences create a sense of disorientation and dread that permeates the entire film.

One night the son walks into his mother’s room where she is sleeping, and takes her red lipstick and writes REDRUM on her door. The word “REDRUM” becomes a central motif in the film, representing Danny’s psychic premonitions of the impending danger. Its chilling revelation as “MURDER” spelled backward adds another layer of horror to the narrative. The concept of “REDRUM” has permeated popular culture and is instantly recognizable as a symbol of dread and impending doom.

She awakens to see him standing over her with a butcher knife, repeating REDRUM, REDRUM over and over again. She looks to the door and then looks in the mirror across from it to see that REDRUM, spelled backwards spells MURDER. This is the scene from the movie that inspired this Halloween cocktail!

This movie was released in 1980, and it still scares the bejeepers out of me!! It has cemented its place as a timeless classic, continuing to inspire filmmakers and terrify audiences with its haunting themes and unforgettable imagery.

The Inspiration Behind the RedRum Punch

One night last week, I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, and my mind was wandering to food, my blog, and the places it usually goes. We had tickets for the Husker game that Saturday, and it was an early one, so I was trying to think of what to make for the tailgate before. I decided to make those little cocktail weenies wrapped in bacon and baked with brown sugar. They are always a hit and seemed good for the morning! I didn’t take a picture of them, but here is a link to the instructions for them:

Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Weenies with BrownSugar

Turns out, the weenies also doubled as a nice hand warmer! I needed something creative for the Huskers and for Halloween weekend. I started thinking about drinks that were red. All of the sudden, REDRUM popped into my brain and the drink was born. The next day I started creating it to put it in the freezer. I have made my recipe for Vodka Slushes many times, and I know that the recipe is tried and true, so I used the alcohol vs. liquid in that recipe to gauge measurements for this one.

It was 27 degrees yesterday morning when we were tailgating, it was sort of nippy for a frozen drink, but the sun was shining, my Huskers had won, and life was good! We took my brother and his fiancé to the game, we had a GREAT Time!

So, the RedRum Punch was inspired by a combination of Halloween festivities, a need for a creative Husker-themed drink, and, of course, the iconic horror movie “The Shining.” The vibrant red color, reminiscent of the infamous REDRUM message, instantly conjures up the film’s chilling atmosphere.

A Halloween Toast

“Here’s to the Witches,

Here’s to their cats,

Here’s to the hoot owls

And Whirring bats;

Here’s to the ghosties,

In robes of white,

Here’s to the thrills of

Hallowe’en night.”

Cheers!!