Spice up your holiday balls with Kraken-infused goodness in every bite. The Kraken Black Spiced Rum (94-Proof) is just the thing to make those traditional rum-raisin and nut-studded nuggets pop. They’re so warm and satisfying—like the kraken itself just settles into the stomach, in a good way—hanging out, making itself at home, lighting the fire, smoking a pipe, and passing out on the sofa while the snow falls.

The Kraken, alone, minus the balls, is absolutely amazing. Proximo Spirits, the maker of this barrel-aged spice-filled creation refers to the rum as “a liquid of unparalleled power and darkness.” On a dark, winter’s night, I definitely recommend snuggling up with a Kraken and munching on a few balls of good cheer, courtesy of the following rum ball recipe:

(Note: This recipe has been cut in half because it makes too many balls. The Kraken is a prolific creature.)

Ingredients:

1 cup of chopped dark raisins

1 cup of chopped pecans

½ cup of powdered sugar

1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder

½ a box of Vanilla Wafers

¼ cup of corn syrup

3 ounces of Kraken Black Spiced Rum (94-Proof)

For the topping: ½ cup of powdered sugar + 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds

Method: Go “kraken” on the box of Vanilla Wafers—load them into a plastic bag and pound them senseless. Then, mix everything together in a bowl. If you want even balls, use a cookie scoop. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar/coffee mixture and store them in an airtight container.

Then, gather family and loved ones around the tree to sing traditional kraken ball carols that bid a violent, deep-sea-burial “good-bye” to unlucky years in order to bring to the surface a new one with badass tentacles and a nice, warm finish.

Cheers!

Cecilia Kennedy once taught Spanish and English courses in Ohio for many years. She now lives in the Greater Seattle area, and writes horror stories. Her blog (Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks: https://fixinleaksnleeksdiy.blog/) chronicles her humorous (and perhaps scary?) attempts at cooking and home repair.