With the temperature dropping, the leaves changing colour, and the evident resurgence of pumpkin-everything, we know it’s that time of year again. It may be getting colder but the good news is that Halloween is just around the corner!
While the spooky season has always been associated with trick or treating, costume parties, and pumpkin carving, All Hallows’ Eve isn’t just for the kids anymore; it’s for everyone who loves a dose of whimsical escapism into a world of quirky costumes and celebrations. Whether you’re treating yourself to a cozy night indoors with your favourite spooky flick or decide to host a small gathering for your family and friends - these Halloween cocktail recipes are definitely mandatory.
Pair these spooky drinks with an elaborate spread of Halloween-themed snacks like brain-shaped cake, eyeball lollipops, and Frankenstein cupcakes. The scarier, the better!
1. A Halloween Caesar That'll Make You Sweat
The caesar is a Canadian classic that’s known as a brunch staple - so why not start your Halloween off right with an extra spicy, extra spooky blood-red caesar? This vodka-based drink is usually dashed with a few splashes of Tabasco, but this recipe calls for a much spicier pepper that’s sure to get your blood pumping and heart racing! We’re sure you’ll be adding this one to your yearly Halloween cocktail recipes rotation.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz chilled vodka
- 2 dashes of ghost pepper hot sauce (or your favourite hot sauce)
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 oz fresh blood orange juice
- 3 oz Mott’s Clamato Extra Spicy Cocktail
- Few cracks of freshly ground pepper
Directions:
- Rim a highball glass with citrus and your choice of rimmer
- Fill the glass with ice
- Add all the ingredients in the order listed
- Stir well to incorporate all the ingredients
- Garnish with an orange peel, pickled green beans or olives
2. A Bloody Good Gin and Tonic
Halloween is all about tricks and treats, so it’s only suitable for you to prepare a cocktail that looks like a trick, but tastes like a treat. Crafted with cherry-flavoured “blood” mixed with the piney flavors of gin, this Bloody Good Gin and Tonic will make your spine tingle. This simple concoction is easy to whip up, leaving lots of room for the finishing touch: creepy eyeball-like garnish.
Ingredients:
- For the eyeball garnish
- 2 large tart apples
- A handful of blueberries
- Juice of one lime
For the gin and tonic (one serving):
- ½ oz cherry syrup
- 2 oz of premium gin
- 2 oz tonic water
- Lime wedges
Directions:
For the eyeball garnish:
- Squeeze the lime and put the juice in a small cup
- Next, peel the apples and cut out the “eyeballs” (you can do this with a melon baller)
- Dip them into lime juice in order to prevent browning
- Use a small sharp object to cut out a circle the size of a blueberry (a large holed piping tip would be sufficient)
- Place a blueberry into the hole and slice off any excess with a knife
All your hard work has paid off, now it’s time to make the gin and tonic!
- Pour the “blood” into the bottom of a glass and fill it with ice
- Squeeze a lime wedge into the glass, then top with the gin
- Finish with two ounces of tonic and garnish with an eyeball attached to a cocktail pick
3. Warm Your Icy Soul With This Mulled Cider
If this Halloween you choose to stay at home, binge-watching The Conjuring or Paranormal Activity series’, this mulled pear and cranberry punch will keep the demons at bay with its heart-warming aromas of cinnamon and vanilla. Add this to your Halloween cocktail recipes list for years to come - it’s a good one!
Ingredients:
- 1L pear cider
- 1L pear or cloudy apple juice
- 1L cranberry juice
- Handful of fresh or dried cranberries
- 150ml of Hawthorne Berry Gin
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla pods, scored lengthwise
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to your biggest cauldron (or saucepan)
- When you’re ready to serve, heat just below simmering point and ladle into mugs
- Garnish with an additional cinnamon stick, pear slices or cranberries
4. The Toxic Tumbler
This Halloween cocktail may sound intriguing enough to grab your attention, but there is no need to worry as it isn’t actually toxic - although, you may be dying to try it! It’s a strong drink not intended for the faint of heart as it’s quite boo-zy. The Toxic Tumbler is the perfect drink to scare your friends with; packed with whisky flavour, hint of citrus and pop rocks for explode-in-your-mouth fun, this drink is one of our top Halloween cocktail recipes.
Ingredients (makes two servings):
- 2 oz orange-pineapple juice
- 1 oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Pop Rocks for rimmer
- 5 oz whiskey
- Extra lemon wedge for garnish
Directions:
- Run a slice of lemon around a cocktail glass and dip it in Pop Rocks for the rim
- Combine the whiskey, orange-pineapple juice, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker
- Add ice and shake well
- Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass over ice. Sip and enjoy!
These Halloween cocktail recipes are just a few fun ways to celebrate this time of year. Spirit of York carefully crafts fine spirits to pour, sip, or shake into the drink that matches your Halloween style.