Halloween is the perfect time to stir up some magic in a glass, whether you're hosting a costume party, settling in for a horror movie marathon, or simply adding a haunting touch to an autumn evening. This collection of 30 themed cocktails ranges from pitch-black libations and smoking concoctions to vibrant pumpkin-infused treats, offering a deliciously eerie pour for every guest.
Pumpkin and Spice Cocktails
Pumpkin Spice Margarita: Combine 30ml Cointreau L'Unique, 22ml fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spices, 2 tbsp pumpkin puree, and 60ml tequila in a shaker. Shake until well-chilled, strain into a glass over ice, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini: Mix 60ml Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, 30ml vanilla vodka, 15ml fresh espresso, 15ml coffee liqueur, 15ml pumpkin syrup, and ice in a shaker. Shake for 20-30 seconds until frothy, double strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass, and garnish with 3 espresso beans and a dusting of cinnamon.
Patrón Pumpkin Spice Martini: Shake 45ml Patrón Añejo, 60ml orange juice, 45ml pumpkin purée, 30ml lemon juice, and 30ml Monin pumpkin spice syrup with ice. Strain into a martini glass, dust with pumpkin spice blend, and garnish with an orange twist.
Conker Pumpkin-Spiced Espresso Martini: Stir 2 tsp pumpkin puree with 30ml chilled water, then shake with 70ml Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, 30ml pumpkin spice syrup, and ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans.
Rum and Tequila Creations
Dark 'n' Spooky Rum Cocktail: Add ice to a rocks glass, pour over 60ml Goslings Black Seal Rum, 30ml chilli & ginger syrup, and 15ml lime juice. Top with 15ml soda and stir. For the syrup, simmer 1 cup peeled sliced ginger, 1 pierced jalapeño, 1 cup dark brown sugar, and 1 cup water for about 30 minutes, then strain and cool.
Bloody Maria: Build 50ml Teremana Blanco, 100ml tomato juice, 15ml fresh lemon juice, 4 dashes Worcestershire, 3-4 dashes Mexican hot sauce, a pinch of celery salt, and a pinch of ground pepper in a Collins glass with ice. Stir and garnish with lemon and lime wedges, olives, and celery.
Pina Ghoulada: Shake 50ml Bacardi Caribbean Spiced, 50ml pineapple juice, 35ml coconut cream, and 15ml lime juice, then strain over cubed ice and garnish with Halloween treats.
Zombie: Shake 25ml Bacardi Carta Blanca, 15ml Bacardi Caribbean Spiced, 10ml triple sec, 20ml orange juice, 10ml lime juice, and 10ml grenadine over ice, then pour over crushed ice. Stir and garnish with a cherry and an orange.
Gin and Vodka Specials
Ghostly Halloween Gin: Muddle 3 slices of fresh ginger, 6 mint leaves, and 15ml simple syrup. Add 30ml Herno Gin, 15ml elderflower liqueur, and 15ml lemon juice, fill with ice, and shake well. Double strain into a rocks glass with one large lump of ice, add 15ml soda, and garnish with mint.
Hubble Bubble Gin Spritz: Divide 8 raspberries between two Champagne flutes and muddle until crushed. Top with 200ml sparkling wine, then garnish each with a rosemary sprig and two raspberries.
Żubrówka Apple Zu: Fill a chilled glass with ice, pour 40ml Bison Grass Vodka over the ice, top with apple juice, and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. Stir gently and garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.
Witches' Brew Lemonade: Combine ice, 2 oz gin, 2 oz sparkling lemonade, and 2 oz Bols Blue Curaçao in a glass, then garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Bold and Smoky Options
Smoked Skull Sour: Shake 50ml Smokehead Unfiltered, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 3 dashes vegan egg white, and 12.5ml Demerara syrup, then double-strain into a chilled rocks glass. Float Ruby Port on top using a bar spoon.
Back from the Ashes: Rinse a coupe with High Strength Absinthe and ice, then shake 22.5ml Smokehead Tequila Cask Terminado, 22.5ml fresh lemon juice, 22.5ml dry vermouth, and 22.5ml triple sec. Double-strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with lemon peel.
Nightmare on Whisky Street: Shake 1 oz cinnamon whiskey, 1 oz spiced rum, 0.25 oz Laphroaig Scotch Whiskey, 1.5 oz apple cider, and 1 barspoon fresh lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with ghost meringues painted with black food colouring.
Cherry Bomb: Add a teaspoon of cherry popping candy to a rocks or highball glass, slowly pour in 100ml premium cola, then drop in a 25ml shot of Depth Charge Black Cherry.
For a shortcut, Rythmik Cocktails and Żubrówka Bison Grass vodka offer the pre-mixed Spiced Apple Pie, inspired by the apple pie made by the Rythmik founders' 103-year-old Polish grandmother, Babcia.
