When you’re a kid, you get excited to dress up on Halloween, when you’re an adult, you’re excited to drink on Halloween. We’ve seen the grape-as-the-eyeball and berry juice as fake bloody shtick before, so we found some recipes to help bring a little bit of an elevated vibe to your halloween soirée. Here are some of our favorite spooky cocktails to sip on, whether you’re drinking them at a Halloween blowout or sitting on the porch waiting for trick-or-treaters. Cheers to a fun and safe holiday!
Dark and Stormy
This year, we’re changing the meaning of “It was a dark and stormy night.” This cocktail is a caribbean twist on a moscow mule, swapping the vodka for dark rum. It’s easy to make and delicious to sip on. Here’s how it’s made:
- In a cocktail shaker, add a shot of rum and a half ounce of lime juice.
- Shake well and strain into a tall glass with fresh ice.
- Top with 3 ounces of ginger beer and a lime wheel for garnish.
Death in the Afternoon
A favorite of Ernest Hemmingway, unless you happen to have absinthe and champagne hanging around the house, this one might require a trip to the liquor store. The drink is potent, but simple. Here’s Hemmingway’s recipe:
- Pour a shot of absinthe into a glass (a couple glass is perfect).
- Top with 4 ounces of chilled champagne.
- Enjoy!
Black Widow
Ready to embrace your inner mixologist? The Black Widow is a cocktail you can impress with, and if you’re a margarita fan, you’ll love this fruity spinoff.
- In a shaker, muddle 3 basil leaves and 2 blackberries.
- Add a shot of tequila, an ounce of lime juice, a dash of agave nectar shake.
- Strain into a stemless cocktail glass with fresh ice.
- If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with a basil leaf and blackberry.
Zombie
Feeling tropical this fall? The Zombie is your new favorite Halloween tradition. Rum, pineapple juice, citrus and passion fruit makes for a sweet, tasty drink.
- In a shaker, add an ounce of light, gold, and dark rum, pineapple, lemon, and lime juice.
- Add an ounce of passion fruit syrup, a dash of aromatic bitters, and shake.
- Strain into a tall glass with fresh ice and garnish with mint.
Pumpkin Toddy
Need something warm to sip on while you wait for trick or treaters? The Pumpkin Toddy is your new best friend. Here’s a good recipe:
- In a pre-heated mug, add an ounce of apple brandy and an ounce of whiskey.
- Add a half ounce of lemon juice and maple syrup, and a teaspoon of pumpkin purée.
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Top with 5 ounces of boiling water and stir.
- Garnish with cinnamon, and enjoy!
Have your own favorite Halloween beverage? Let us know in the comments section what we should be drinking this fall!