Boo-ze.

Okay, yeah, that was bad. But Happy Halloween anyway.

Every once in a while, I still miss alcohol. Not enough to relive the pain in my head whenever I drink the stuff, but I liked going mad scientist with different colored liquids and experimenting with different flavors. I found a while ago that I don’t like beer. Apologies to beer fans, but after several attempts to drink the stuff, it simply doesn’t appeal to me. If I was forced to pick a pint of something, though, I’d go for anything dark that has a taste of molasses to it. Went to New York for a recording session, and arrived a bit early. So I spent a little time in a liquor store near the studio. A young woman came up to me and offered her help, and after being notified that the shop didn’t carry vodka, I asked for a beer that was similar to the Irish one with the harp. She offered another Irish brew that I think was a bit lighter, but had similar qualities otherwise. It so happened that there was some sweet apple cider in the fridge at home, and when I returned, I got curious to see how they would taste together. So I added some beer to the cider… and came up with a concoction that tastes like a liquid caramel apple. Ability to drink a favorite Halloween treat? Awesome. (And apparently, it's been done before. Still awesome.) 1 part Irish stout style beer 3 or 4 parts sweet, non-alcoholic apple cider

Have some more numbers. Because you know you're curious.

Recipe cost: $1.24 for 2 10-ounce servings

Limits: Amount Per Portion

Total Calories 140

Calories Added Sugars 0

Calories Saturated Fat 0

Calories Alcohol 16

Nutrients: Amount Per Portion

Protein 1 g

Carbohydrate 30 g

Dietary Fiber 0 g

Total Sugars 24 g

Added Sugars 0 g

Total Fat 0 g

Saturated Fat 0 g

Monounsaturated Fat 0 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g

Linoleic Acid 0 g

α-Linolenic Acid 0.0 g

Omega 3 - EPA 0 mg

Omega 3 - DHA 0 mg

Cholesterol 0 mg

Minerals: Amount Per Portion

Calcium 22 mg

Potassium 267 mg

Sodium 12 mg

Copper 33 µg

Iron 0 mg

Magnesium 16 mg

Phosphorus 26 mg

Selenium 1 µg

Zinc 0 mg

Vitamins: Amount Per Portion

Vitamin A 0 µg RAE

Vitamin B6 0.1 mg

Vitamin B12 0.0 µg

Vitamin C 2 mg

Vitamin D 0 µg

Vitamin E 0 mg AT

Vitamin K 0 µg

Folate 4 µg DFE

Thiamin 0.1 mg

Riboflavin 0.1 mg

Niacin 0 mg

Choline 11 mg

Once again, all numbers on nutrition info from this calculator here. (They only have one entry for beer, so depending on your preferred beverage, your numbers may vary.) It’s good if you’re into sweet things and looking for something less likely to get you a hangover. (What’s the story behind that word, anyway? Hangover. There you are - original definition: leftover. Current definition developed as a lingering, or leftover, effect of the preceding night. Etymology rocks.)

Stay safe tonight, and watch out for cars on the street while you're trick or treating. (With your kids. To keep an eye on them. Yeah, that's totally what you're doing, dude in an anime skirt.)