What’s a Halloween party without creepy cocktails? These festive recipes will transform your drinks from an after-thought into a main attraction.
Haunted Hillcrest
This rich and delicious cocktail is named after the famously-over-the-top Halloween decorations on Hillcrest Avenue in Louisville, Ky.
- 1.5 ounce bourbon whiskey
- 1 banana sliced
- 2 large scoops vanilla bean gelato
- 1 splash seasonal pumpkin ale
- 1 shake nutmeg
- 1 shake cinnamon
- 1/2 ounce sugar in the raw (can use regular sugar, but raw adds a nice texture)
In a blender, combine the gelato and banana and puree until smooth. While it purees, add ale and nutmeg until fully blended. Serve in a chilled martini glass garnished with a touch of sugar in the raw and cinnamon. (Recipe courtesy of the Glenview House.)
Hot & Haunted
You don’t have to be sitting by a campfire to enjoy a mouth-watering spiked cider.
- 8 ounces brewed tea, your choice, but green tea works great
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 ounces spiced rum (like Captain Morgan)
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 1 splash green apple bitters (can substitute regular bitters or omit from recipe)
- 1 splash Cointreau (can substitute orange juice)
- 1/2 lime squeezed
- 1 splash seasonal pumpkin beer
- 1/2 ounce sugar in the raw (can use regular sugar)
Brew the tea with the cinnamon stick and set aside. Combine all other ingredients and stir into the tea. Serve warm. (Recipe courtesy of the Glenview House.)
Fangtastic-Tini
Vampires have exploded in popularity in the past few years, which makes them the perfect inspiration for this spooky drink.
- 1/2 cup Red Hot candies
- 1 bottle vodka
- Plastic vampire fangs
A few days before, infuse vodka with Red Hot candies. (Use 1/2 cup of candy per 1 bottle of vodka and combine the candy and vodka in an airtight container. Shake the mixture periodically and let candies dissolve over a few days.)
Add the infused vodka and ice to a martini shaker and shake. Serve straight up in a martini glass. Garnish with white vampire fangs hung on the side of the glass. (Recipe courtesy of Trifecta Grill in Winnetka.)
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Martini
Since we’re throwing pumpkin into everything else this season, we couldn’t forget a pumpkin cocktail. This drink is as easy to make as it is tasty, but be warned, it has a serious kick.
- 2 ounces pumpkin pie cream liqueur
- 2 ounces chocolate liqueur (like Godiva)
- 2 ounces vodka
Mix all three ingredients in a martini shaker. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings and serve. (Recipe courtesy of O’Neil’s in Winnetka.)
Hpnotiq Glow Martini
The eerie glow of this hypnotizing cocktail will get any guest in the Halloween spirit.
- 3 ounces Hpnotiq liqueur
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- Cherry
- Mini blue glow stick
Combine Hpnotiq, pineapple juice and coconut rum in a martini shaker and shake. Serve in a martini glass with a cherry in the bottom. Top it off with a small blue glow stick to make the cocktail come to life. (Recipe courtesy of O’Neil’s in Winnetka.)
Party Favor
For a fun party favor, use orange and black ribbon to attach a recipe on a cute note card to a small plastic bag full of candy. Leave them in a bowl by the door so guests can grab one on their way out and recreate these fun drinks next year.
