Halloween is fast approaching, and while for kids this means Trick-or-Treating and enough sugar to destroy all seven of Wilford Brimley’s horcruxes, for the over-21 crowd Halloween is one of the year’s best drinking holidays. Of course this time of year is great for serving pumpkin beers and hard apple cider, but a good host should also be prepared to mix up a few of these delicious Halloween-appropriate cocktails.
5) Blackthorn
A great, low-alcohol option for lightweights and designated drivers.
2 oz sloe gin
1 1/2 Tbs sweet red vermouth
lemon twist for garnish
Combine the sloe gin and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass and stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.
4) Mind Eraser
A layered drink that may just leave you Brain Dead. Check out the recipe here.
3) Satan’s Whiskers
A classic from the Savoy Cocktail Book, this one is tasty and medium-strength.
2 parts gin
2 parts dry vermouth
2 parts red sweet vermouth
2 parts orange juice
1 part Grand Marnier
1 dash orange bitters
Shake all ingredients thoroughly and strain into a cocktail glass.
2) Corpse Reviver #1
Now we’re getting into the strong stuff. This antique tipple dates back to Victorian England. You can find the recipe at our previous post.
1) Zombie
Though the fruity ingredients and Tiki Bar origins may say summer, the Zombie is perhaps the apex of Halloween drinks. So strong and so complex, once you’ve had one yourself, you’ll be incapable of mixing one for your guests.
1 part white rum
1 part golden rum
1 part dark rum
1 part apricot brandy
1 part pineapple juice
1 part papaya juice
a dash of grenadine
1/2 part 151 proof rum
Combine all ingredients, except the 151 proof rum, in a shaker half full of ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball or Collins glass and float the 151 on top. Some recipes say to garnish with a pineapple spear and a cherry (among other fruit), but this can be optional – it’s hard to make room with all the booze in there.
Pro Tip: Another great boozy treat to serve for Halloween is a bowl of vodka gummi worms. Any gummi candy will absorb liquid if given enough time. Just fill a bowl with gummi worms and cheap vodka and leave it in the fridge over night. The next day the gummi worms will be twice as big and filled with booze. Plus they’re gooey and sticky, which only adds to the fun.
