
9 Ultra-Creative Halloween Cocktails
It’s amazing what a little creative presentation can do, right? Case in point: check out how clever garnishes like licorice wheels, chili peppers, cherries, and pickled beets can turn rather innocent-looking cocktails into something truly SPOOKTACULAR for Halloween! Which concoction looks most tempting to you?
BLACK WIDOW
via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate
You’ll need:
- 5 oz black vodka such as Blavod (or vodka + black food coloring)
- 1/2 oz Pernod
- Sugar Spiderweb (recipe at bottom)
- Licorice Spider (recipe at bottom – or just use a gummy spider!)
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
2. Add black vodka and Pernod.
3. Shake vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds.
4. Strain into a cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with Sugar Spiderweb and Licorice Spider, if desired. (P.S. Check out another Black Widow Martini recipe with a black raspberry kick right here!)
VAMPIRE’S PUNCH
by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La
You’ll need:
- 18 oz. SKYY Infusions Cherry
- 8 oz. Lime Juice
- 6 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 2.5 oz. Grenadine
- lemon-lime soda
- Fresh cherries, pits removed
Instructions:
1. Wash and remove pits and stems from fresh cherries, and muddle in cocktail shaker.
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients except 7UP in bowl and stir.
3. Top with lemon-lime soda and muddled cherries. (Serves 12)
CANDY CORN COCKTAIL
by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La
You’ll need:
- 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
- 1.5 oz. Orange Sherbet, softened
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz. Milk
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup
Instructions:
1. Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple and pineapple juice in cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain over fresh ice into a clear Collins glass.
3. Combine softened orange sherbet and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
4. Strain, and pour over bar spoon to layer in the rocks glass.
5. Then, combine simple syrup and milk in cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
6. Layer milk mixture on top of sorbet mixture.
Horny Devils
via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate
You’ll need:
- 1 (64-oz) bottle tomato-vegetable juice cocktail
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tsp celery salt
- 3 cups black vodka, divided
- garnish: serrano chili peppers
Instructions:
1. In a 2-quart pitcher, combine tomato vegetable juice cocktail, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and celery salt.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
3. Add 3/4 cup tomato juice mixture.
4. Shake vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds.
5. Strain into a cocktail glass.
6. Pour 1/4 cup black vodka over the back of a spoon so that vodka runs down side of glass and floats on top of tomato juice mixture.
7. Repeat procedure for each serving.
8. Garnish rim of glass with chili peppers. (Serves 12)
BLEEDING HEART, GRAPE PUNCH, & BLACK LAGOON
from Martha Stewart’s Spirited Celebrations (Halloween 2009)
- Black Lagoon: a lemony vodka libation garnished with black ice cubes and a licorice stick
- Spiked Concord Grape Punch: this one’s spiced AND spiked!
- Bleeding Heart: a martini with a pickled beet that “bleeds” from a wound caused by a cocktail spear.
PINA GHOULADAS WIT SPEARED EYEBALL GARNISH
via HWTM – full recipe right here
WITCH’S BREW MOCKTAIL
via Farenheit 350º – full recipe right here
(Just add vodka to turn this into an adult cocktail!)
SUGAR SPIDERWEB GARNISH
via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate
You’ll need:
- 1-1/4 cups sugar
- 1/3-cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
1. Spray 2 large sheets of parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water; cook over medium-high heat, occasionally brushing down sides with water to prevent crystallization. Continue until mixture reaches 320º on a candy thermometer.
3. Remove from heat. Working quickly, drizzle caramel with a spoon onto prepared parchment paper, forming spiderwebs. Cool completely or until set.
4. Using a small offset spatula, carefully remove web from parchment paper, and place on top of glass.
LICORICE SPIDER GARNISH
via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate
You’ll need:
- 1 black licorice wheel
Instructions:
1. Unroll a 9-inch strip from licorice wheel*. Using kitchen shears, cut strip in half lengthwise along scored line. Cut each strip into 3 (3-inch) pieces, creating 6 legs. Reserve remaining part of licorice wheel for spider body.
2. On a flat surface, place licorice wheel. Using tweezers, insert 6 strips in center of reserved licorice wheel, bending strips to form spider legs. Carefully place Licorice Spider on top of Sugar Spiderweb. Serve immediately.
*Look for licorice wheels at Whole Foods Market.
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22 Comments
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Thank you for sharing these awesome recipes!
I LOVE those bleeding eyeballs! I’m mad that I had my halloween party early because I would totally have used them. Awesome! Great ideas
I’m dying over that sugary spiderweb – it’s gorgeous!! Love the “bleeding heart” martini too!
Great and fancy ideas ñ_ñ
Saludos,
Clau!
Great collection of fun drinks- they all look fabulous!
Great collection of drinks- they all look fabulous!
so enjoyable cocktails…..!!!!!!
I LOVE YOUR WEB SITE , So Many Creative Ideas , Can’t Wait Untill This Year’s Halloween 2011. THANK YOU SO MUCH HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS !!!!!!!! You Sure Live Up To Your Web Sites Name !
simple syrup? what is it, and where do i find it?
Simple syrup is dead easy to make: it’s one part sugar, one part water. Put in a sauce pot, heat up (but don’t let it get to a roiling boil). Stir, stir, stir. When the sugar has dissolved, remove pot from the heat and let cool. You can color the syrup with food coloring — though let your guests know that such drinks can stain skin and clothing.
Ammmazing page about Halloween ideas for cocktails.
ps: about the simple syrup. Try to create the inverted syrup, just add a little bit acid when you steer it and wait 40 minutes
Great Halloween ideas! I’m hosting a Halloween link party now through the end of November. Stop by anytime!
http://stirizsisters.blogspot.com/2011/09/halloween-imagination-station.html
Corie @ Design DNA
I saw the candy corn cocktail on Pinterest and clicked through. I should’ve known it was you. Looks sooo good. I love candy corn!
How do you do the dripping blood on the Vampire’s Punch?
Here’s a link to the instructions! https://www.hwtm.com/2008/10/halloween-martini-vampire-style/ :)
I will be doing these at work… what great ideas, thanks!
I will be sharing with family and co-worker's thanks!
I will be sharing with family and co-worker's thanks!
I own an alcoholic beverage company and I’d love to work with you to style some cocktails for us for the holidays. Can someone please contact me? Thank you!
Love these!
I am making the vampire punch tomorrow in a big serving container, don’t know how much 7 up to use any suggestions
Love them