With October lurking right around the corner, Halloween enthusiasts are starting to get prepared for their favourite time of year. Decorations and costumes are typically the main focus, but for those who really want to get into the spirit of things, why not consider a Halloween themed cocktail? Local artisan shop, The Cure Tonics, has just the recipe you need to celebrate your Halloween festivities: The Mokoi, a Halloween cocktail named after an Australian spirit with a truly spooky background.
Sorcery and Betrayal
The Mokoi is a spirit from Australian Aboriginal mythology, specific to the north and the Yolngu people. There was a belief among them that humans had two spirits: the good ancestral spirit, known either as a “Waro” or “Birrimbir,” and the bad spirit, known as the “Mokoi.” The Yolmgu believed that the Mokoi would linger near the burial sites of the dead. As the tales go, shamans with sinister intent would sometimes summon Mokoi in order to complete villainous tasks. However, they often did so without realising that these spirits had a proclivity for betrayal. After completing their tasks, The Mokoi would turn on the shamans, killing them and devouring them.
A Mokoi’s wickedness was not just limited to those who summoned them. They hunted down those who used black magic and were also believed to kidnap children under the cover of night, which they then devoured. The Yolngu believed that old age rarely caused death and instead, it was the cause of a Mokoi. The spirit would be responsible for some kind of fatal accident or terrible disease that would kill the elderly.
The Mokoi’s history makes it a fascinating facet of Australian Aboriginal mythology, and a prime candidate for any Halloween theme.
A Cocktail With a Twist
So, why not put an Australian twist on your Halloween by making “The Mokoi” cocktail created by The Cure Tonics? It isn’t overly complicated and will add some definite flair to whatever kind of Halloween social gathering you’re planning on hosting.
The ingredients:
- 45 mL Tequila or White Rye
- 30 mL lime juice
- 15 mL The Cure Aussie Bush Tonic Syrup
- 3 to 5 dashes of Hot Sauce
Serve shaken on ice and garnish with dehydrated lime sprayed with Absinth. Light on fire to serve and have fun watching the reactions of those around you!
Additional Ways to Enhance Your Haunting Theme
The Cure Tonics isn’t the only local artisan that has some spooky seasonal ideas to offer!
Mo Resin has some eerily beautiful spider jewellery that would put the perfect finishing touch on any Halloween ensemble.
If you’re looking for even more accessories, consider a black cat brooch by Nullarbor Nights Knitwear.
If you’d like to improve your Halloween aesthetic, Art of George Karkoulas has some prints that are both dark and intense.
Please feel free to browse through some of our other maker shops, as they may have some wonderful creations that will add the perfect sense of atmosphere to your Halloween home! And if you decide to try the Mokoi cocktail, don't forget to tag us on Instagram @sydneyartisancollective or post a photo in our VIP group.
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