If you want something more dramatic than pumpkin spice this Halloween, try making a Galician Queimada.
Queimada is a flaming drink made from aguardiente, sugar and citrus peel, set alight while an old spell is recited to drive away evil. It looks impressive, tastes warming, and suits a dark October Halloween night perfectly.
Recipe
Use a clay pot if you have one, but any deep, fireproof pan will do. You will also need a ladle, a lighter or long match, and small cups for serving.
For a crowd (around 12–15 small cups), you will need:
- Two litres of good-quality white aguardiente (orujo).
- About 500 g sugar.
- Peel of one orange and one lemon (avoid the white pith).
- A teaspoon of whole coffee beans.
- Optional: a chopped apple, a cinnamon stick, or a pinch of aniseed if you want to vary the flavour.
Method
Put the aguardiente and the sugar into the pot and stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add the citrus peel, coffee beans and any optional fruit or spice. Take a ladleful of the mixture out and light it with a long match or lighter. Pour the burning ladleful back into the pot so the rest catches fire. The liquid will flame up; stir gently as it burns so the sugar caramelises and the alcohol reduces.
Let the Queimada burn and simmer for around 20–30 minutes. The longer it burns, the less alcohol remains, and the more mellow the flavour becomes. When it reaches the strength and sweetness you like, cover the pot to cut the flame, or stop stirring and let it die down naturally. Pour a small cup of black coffee in at the end if you prefer to soften the edge.
The spell of the Queimada
As the blue flames dance, the conxuro (spell) is recited to ward off evil spirits.
Owls, toads and witches,
Devils and spirits of the misty valleys,
Fire of wandering souls, evil eye, black spells,
Howling of the dog, omen of death…
When this brew trickles down our throats,
We shall be freed from all evil and every curse.
Spirits of air, earth, sea and fire,
Make the spirits of our absent friends
Join us in this Queimada!
