Pumpkin French 75

The place: Troiani, 1001 Third Ave., Seattle, 206-624-4060

Quote: "We wanted some kind of pumpkin ... just to give it that fall twist."

— Moe Gulley, manager

The scene: Drinking a concoction that includes pumpkin makes me feel more Harry Potter than Halloween. Well, Hermione, to be totally accurate, since I'm not a boy.

Then again, this is a column about drinking. Forget anything I said about teenage wizards.

Not everyone likes to celebrate Halloween with outrageous disguises and a candy overdose. If you're looking for a simple, elegant option — no costumes, makeup or creepy-crawlies required — ring in fright night with a Pumpkin French 75 ($10) at Troiani, a steakhouse/Italian bistro downtown.

If you're wary of pumpkin in your cocktail, rest assured the drink somehow manages to taste like pumpkin pie in liquid form. And it's good. Seriously. The cocktail is slightly foamy, slightly creamy and like an upscale Halloween in a glass.

But for those who think Halloween cocktails need a heavy dose of camp, go Tiki Halloween with the Black Stripe at Trader Vic's Bellevue (700 Bellevue Way, Suite 50, 425-455-4483). I haven't tasted the warm rum drink ($6.50), but it's served in a skull mug. Need I say more?

Pumpkin French 75

1 ounce pumpkin butter

1 ounce gin

1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice

1.5 ounces simple syrup

Champagne

Blend of cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg for rim

Mix all ingredients except champagne in a pint glass filled with ice, shake. Strain into champagne flute, top with champagne.

The Black Stripe

1 teaspoon honey

2 maraschino cherries

2 whole cloves

1 ounce Jamaican rum

¼ oz Lemon Hart 151 float

Combine ingredients except for the 151 in a skull mug, pour hot water in and stir. Float 151 on top. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

Nicole Tsong: ntsong@seattletimes.com