13 wonderfully wicked Halloween cocktails for the spooky season

Whether it is a big party or just a sipper to enjoy after a night of trick or treating, wonderfully wicked Halloween cocktails can be a scene stealer. From a creative visual to a bold flavor, these seasonal sippers will captivate everyone. Ready to get that shaker moving?

With Halloween cocktails, the theme influences the name. Even though the garnish can have some people cautiously grabbing the glass, the flavor and fun will not allow them to pass over that sip.

Choosing a festive libation comes down to personal preference. Whether it is a particular spirit, combination of ingredients, or riff on a classic cocktail, there are plenty of options to enjoy.

With this list of 13 wonderfully wicked Halloween cocktails, there is an option for any and every occasion. Just be cautious with that cocktail shaker and sip carefully. No one wants to wake up feeling as if they are haunted by the decisions from the night before.

13 wonderfully wicked Halloween cocktails

Cardamom Kiss

A bold spice can make the drinking experience even more enjoyable. This cocktail from Pink House Alchemy is robust but not overpowering. Like a great kiss, it lingers and leaves the drinker wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Plymouth Gin
• 3/4 oz pH Cardamom Syrup
• 4 oz fresh blood orange juice
• Splash of Ruffino Prosecco

Method:

• To prepare your glass, pour pH Dark Cherry Grenadine Syrup onto a plate. Swirl glass top and tilt glass up, allowing the syrup to run down the glass.
• Stir gin, syrup, and juice on ice.
• Strain onto fresh ice into prepared “bloody” glass.
• Top with Prosecco and garnish with a dehydrated blood orange slice.

Strega Witchcraft

While the word “strega” translates to witch, this digestif is made from a combination of 70 botanicals. The bright yellow color entices but the flavor lends itself to many applications. In this cocktail, the combination of bright fruits, herbs, and the Strega makes for a curious combination that leaves people wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Strega
• Grapefruit cordial
• ½ Lemon juice
• Basil
• Orange
• Grapefruit soda

Preparation:

• Pour Strega, grapefruit cordial, and lemon juice into a shaker with ice cubes. Pour mixture into a glass full of ice and fill with grapefruit soda. Garnish with basil and orange.

Scared Stiff

Absinthe might be the green fairy, but the flavor combined with other ingredients can cast a spell. In this wicked Halloween cocktail, the combination of flavors is alluring. It is far from frightful, but it will make people take notice.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Timberline Vodka
• 1 oz Donn’s Mix #2
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp Grand Marnier
• 1 tsp Galliano L’Autentico
• 1 dash Absinthe

Method: Shake / Strain

Garnish: Lemon wheel & cherry flag

Clonakilty Witches Brew Cocktail

While Irish legends are many, Celtric traditions are the origin stories of Halloween. As one season ended and the darker days approached, Celts wore masks to disguise themselves from evil spirits that started to emerge from the other world. Those witches, ghosts, and other spirits caused mischief.

The Clonakilty Port Cask Whiskey brings a bright, zesty cocktail to the spooky season. The whiskey’s flavor is deep, nuanced but the cocktail feels energetic. It might help keep the party going as the darkness comes.

Ingredients:

• 1.75oz Clonakilty Port Cask Whiskey
• .5oz Orange Juice
• Ginger Ale
• 1 slice of orange

Spellbound Smash

Smashing preconceptions is often a part of wicked Halloween cocktails. While Basil Hayden Bourbon is often an elevated sip, it can showcase its playful side. With this option, the juiciness of the blackberries combined with the fresh herbs will keep everyone alert for the tricks that might be played.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Basil Hayden Bourbon
• ¾ part Demerara Syrup*
• 2 dashes Angostura® Bitters
• 2 dashes Orange Bitters
• Half of a Lemon
• 5 Fresh Blackberries
• 3 Sage Leaves (2 for garnish)
• 1 sprig of Thyme (for garnish)

Method

• Place half of a lemon and the blackberries into a cocktail shaker and lightly press with the back of a bar spoon
• Add remaining ingredients, including one sage leaf, to cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
• Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
• Garnish with remaining two sage leaves and a sprig of thyme.
  *Demerara Syrup can be purchased, or homemade by combining a 1:1 ratio of Demerara sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat

A Vampire’s Kiss Halloween Cocktail

Vampires can sometimes be romanticized. The seduction that cumulates in the ultimate kiss is legendary. In this cocktail, the sweet and tart notes are compelling with a little bit of intrigue that leaves the drinker wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz Kōloa Kaua’i Gold Rum
• 4 oz tart cherry juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 4 oz sparkling water
• Ice
• Garnish with dry ice (optional)

Instructions:

• Add ingredients (except soda water) into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until shaker is frosty, then strain ingredients into a glass with ice. Top with soda water and stir.
• For an extra spooky effect, use dry ice. Remember to follow instructions when using dry ice, use gloves and tongs to handle dry ice and do not ingest dry ice. Enjoy!

Otońo

Spice notes in a cocktail can be intriguing. This Halloween cocktail transforms flavors that often start the day into a warm, comforting sipper. Instead of stealing that Halloween candy, consider toasting this Autumnal cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ parts Milagro Reposado
• 1 part pumpkin syrup (Real syrup)
• 1 ½ parts spiced chai black tea
• ½ part Almond milk

Method:

• Build in a shaker, add ice and shake for 5 seconds. Then pour over ice in a rocks glass. Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Beetle Juice

Although you do not have to say the name three times, this Halloween cocktail is a play on a popular character and its earthy ingredient. Even though savory cocktails are having a moment, this balanced beverage is bright, zesty and even a little sweet.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Espolon Blanco tequila
• 0.75 oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
• 0.75 oz Orange Juice
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Beet Syrup

Method:

• Add all ingredients to tin and shake with ice. Strain into a double old fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange half moon.

Heidi’s Black Magic-Rita with Patron El Alto

As seen over the year’s Heidi Klum goes all the way for her Halloween celebrations. Her costumes are legendary. This year, her signature cocktail is making a bold statement as well. Ready to sip on something magical?

Ingredients:

• 2 oz PATRÓN EL ALTO
• 1 oz Blackberry Syrup
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 drops of Scrappy’s Fire Water Tincture
• Black Lava Salt Garnish

Don’t Get Ghosted!

While the play on words is fun for Halloween, this Half Shell Vodka cocktail highlights a better solution to a scary problem. Half Shell Vodka pours a conversation about sustainability in every bottle. From its recycled paperboard bottle to its distillation process using “one-of-a-kind activated coconut carbon and oyster shell filtration system,” the company does not want the world to become a permanently scary place.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz of Half Shell Vodka
• .5 of cherry juice
• 1 oz of orange juice
• 1 oz of cranberry juice
• Splash of cherry juice

Method:

• On the inside of a Highball glass, drip cherry juice along the edge.
• In a shaker, fill with ice and add the cherry juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and vodka. Shake vigorously.
• Fill Highball glass with ice. Pour ingredients in.
• Garnish with cherries and dehydrated orange slices.

Cristalino Crawler

Cristalino tequilas are having a moment. Joining the wicked Halloween cocktails list is this option from Casamigos. The use of cinnamon might seem unexpected, but it is the flavor that many people need to try.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Casamigos Cristalino Tequila
• 1.25 oz. Melon Liqueur (like Midori)
• 1 oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice
• .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• Optional: 1 Pinch Cinnamon
• ½ Thick Rim Black Lava Salt/Sugar 2:1 Ratio
• Garnish 1-2 Black Faux Spiders

Methodology:

• Wet ½ rim of large coupe or martini glass with lemon wedge or wheel and dip into salt mixture. Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into rimmed glass. Add fresh ice and garnish.

Candy Corn Cocktail

Candy Corn is often the most debated Halloween candy. With this cocktail from Skrewball Whiskey, people might rethink their opinion of that flavor.

Ingredients:

• 0.5 oz Sorel
• 2 oz Skrewball Whiskey
• 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 Egg White

Method:

• Combine whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake until combined and foamy, about 10 seconds. Add ice and shake until chilled, about 10 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with a liqueur.

Black Blood Sour

The combination of sweet and sour is a favorite flavor for the spooky season. With this cocktail from Filmland Spirits Moonlight Mayhem! Bourbon, the first sip will not be the last. And, the visual will have people wondering what is in that glass.

Ingredients:

• 1¼ oz Filmland Spirits Moonlight Mayhem! Bourbon
  1 oz amaretto
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 1/8 tsp activated charcoal (or squid ink)

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients into a tin with ice and shake. Double strain and then serve in a double walled martini or coupe glass. Place a small cube of dry ice in the cocktail.

Which wonderfully wicked Halloween cocktails will be shaken this spooky season? Thirsty for more?