Halloween calls for parties with plenty of ghastly, eerie, and wicked-fun atmosphere, and these cocktails fit the bill. From creepy parts-filled cocktails to faithful standards dressed up for spookiness, you’ll find something wicked here to add to your repertoire.
All of the drinks below are easily dressed up with glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth hanging on the rim, a black plastic spider in the bottom, or ice molded in the shape of eyeballs. You can also scoop a spoon full of partially-set Jello into any of the drinks below for a slimy surprise.
Stick with tradition and begin with black. Creating a seriously black cocktail takes a little advance research to find a supplier of Blavod, the only premium black vodka I’ve come across. It’s nice for formal occasions (think black-tie affairs and weddings), but it’s utterly perfect for Halloween. It’s heady and dark, with a bit of an herby aftertaste. Pour it very smoothly and you’ll find it maintains integrity as an individual layer in many cocktails (like the Black Widow, below). Or mix in a shaker to get a creepy, black spirit blend.
Black Cat
- 1 ounce cherry brandy
- 1 ounce black vodka
- splash cranberry juice
- splash cola
Mix brandy and vodka in shaker with ice. Pour over crushed ice into cocktail glass and fill with equal measures of cranberry and cola. This is one black cat that you won’t mind crossing your path.
Dracula’s Kiss
- 1 ounce black vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- cola
- cherries for garnish
Coat the bottom of a highball glass with grenadine. Add the vodka, fill with cola and garnish with red marachino cherries.
Black Widow
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces black vodka
Do this one just right and you’ll get a lovely black-on-red effect. Begin by pouring the cranberry juice over ice into a cocktail glass. Carefully float the black vodka on top and serve.
Ghost in the Glass
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 1 ounce melon liqueur
- 5 drops Irish Cream liqueur
Pour the schnapps and melon liqueur into a shaker and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add the Irish Cream one drop at a time until you begin to see the “ghost” in the drink.
Frog in a Blender
This one sounds nasty, and you’ll get plenty of Halloween party cred for serving it up. The frog “parts” are primarily composed of lime wheels, but you can add chopped green grapes and green apple bits for more good guts as desired.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 – 3 lime wheels
- green apple slices or green grapes, as desired
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend for just a few seconds until the lime wheels and apple or grape bits are slightly chopped. Pour into chilled drink glass.
Skeleton in the Closet
Drink enough of these wicked-good margaritas you’ll be ready to reveal anything, so beware.
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce DeKuyper Island Blue Tropical Schnapps
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce mango puree
Rim a margarita glass with salt. Put all ingredients into a shaker, mix, and pour over ice into a margarita glass.
Jack-O-Lantern Punch
This delicious punch is known not only for it’s heady Halloween kick, but also because it incorporates so many of the flavors of fall. Increase your recipe and serve it in a hollowed-out pumpkin shell for added flavor and flair.
- 2 ounces rum
- 4 sugar cubes
- 3 ounces club soda
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 pinch fresh nutmg
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish
Dissolve sugar in some of the club soda (muddle with a spoon or pestle as needed). Add cloves and continue to muddle together. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir together. Pour over ice into glass, punch bowl, pumpkin or other container and top with club soda. Garnish as desired.
