Halloween cocktails are one of the most fun parts of throwing a party for the holiday. No matter what type of spooky spirits you prefer, there are plenty of cocktail options to choose from.
This guide includes thirty of the most delicious Halloween cocktails you’ll find along with some suggested garnishes and appetizers to serve with them.
Types of Cocktails
- Aromatic cocktails: Aromatic cocktails are cocktails that typically include liquors that are blended with aromatic herbs and bitters.
- Sour cocktails: Sour cocktails can be made with either light liquors like vodka or darker liquors like whiskey and bourbon. Many sour cocktails include citrus and fruit elements.
Along with these cocktail types, punch drinks and lighter liquor drinks like spritzers are also popular choices for Halloween cocktails.
Punches and ciders are especially easy to make for a large Halloween party since they can be simple to prepare in large batches.
30 Spooky Halloween Cocktails
Halloween Cocktails with Vodka
1. Orange Fizz Halloween Drink
The orange fizz Halloween drink from Red Wine Dragons is the color of a jack-o-lantern and has a refreshing, citrusy flavor. Using sugar-free sparkling orange soda helps keep it low in calories.
If you don’t like sugar-free sparkling orange soda, it can be substituted with regular orange soda instead.
2. Love Potion Cocktail
The Love Potion Cocktail at Sweet Tea and Thyme features vodka paired with pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. Dry ice adds a spooky smoking effect. Using strawberry vodka rather than regular vodka can give this cocktail a stronger berry flavor.
3. Black Magic
Black vodka is the main ingredient in the Black Magic cocktail from Elle. Along with black vodka, it also has edible pearl dust and fresh-squeezed lime juice for a fresh, tangy flavor. Activated charcoal can also be added to this cocktail to give it a deeper black appearance.
4. Zombie Brains
The Zombie Brains cocktail at Burrata and Berries is created by mixing vodka with Chambord, pomegranate juice, and orange juice for a fruity drink that has some kick. A red sugar rim gives this cocktail some extra decorative flair for your next Halloween party.
5. Witches Brew Cocktail
The Witches Brew Cocktail from Savored Sips is a bright purple cocktail made with vodka, raspberry liqueur, lime juice, and purple food coloring. Garnish this cocktail with a rim of cocktail sugar dyed purple with the same dye you use to color the drink.
Bourbon Halloween Cocktails
6. The Blood Moon
If you’re looking for a cocktail that is both sinister and delicious, look no further than The Blood Moon at The California Local. This bourbon cocktail features bourbon, red wine, and vermouth.
The combination of bourbon and red wine can make this a particularly strong Halloween cocktail, so be sure to drink responsibly.
7. Pumpkin Old-Fashioned
Want a Halloween-themed Old-Fashioned? Check out this Pumpkin Old-Fashioned from A Couple Cooks that tastes like a liquid slice of boozy pumpkin pie.The Pumpkin Old-Fashioned pairs bourbon with vanilla, pie spice, and maple syrup.
8. Bourbon Butterbeer
Butterbeer has been a popular Halloween treat ever since Harry Potter hit the media, and this bourbon version from A Couple Cooks mixes bourbon with apple cider and ginger beer.
Bourbon butterbeer gets its buttery flavor from the addition of a brown sugar simple syrup that gives this cocktail some deep caramel notes.
9. Haunted Graveyard
The Haunted Graveyard cocktail at Sprinkles and Sprouts uses smoking charred rosemary to a creepy effect. The bourbon-based drink features fresh orange and maple syrup.
This cocktail works with a variety of bitter flavors. For this drink, try experimenting with orange, grapefruit, or smoke bitters.
10. Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key cocktail at Thrillist is created using bourbon, St. Germain, lemon juice, ginger beer, and bitters. The bright flavor of the citrus pairs well with the zing of the ginger beer.Garnish this cocktail with a candy bone for an extra spooky vibe.
Halloween Whiskey Cocktails
11. Red Moon Over Manhattan
The Red Moon Over Manhattan from Sugar and Charm is a twist on the original Manhattan cocktail that features red wine, fresh orange peel, and maraschino cherries.The dark berry flavors in red wine are a natural flavor pairing with most types of bourbon whiskey.
12. Yellow-Eyed Demon
The Yellow Eyed Demon cocktail at Champagne and Coconuts is inspired by the hit horror TV show Supernatural. The tangy drink is a mix of whiskey, pineapple juice, and lemonade. Garnish this cocktail with frozen grapes to serve as delicious edible eyeballs.
13. Dead-Eye Whiskey
Dead-Eye Whiskey is a cinnamon whiskey cocktail that features Fireball and Coca-Cola. Top this recipe from The Worthey Life off with fireball cinnamon candies and candy eyeballs.
Whiskey and cock is a classic two-ingredient cocktail, but using cinnamon whiskey gives this drink a little extra zip.
14. Devil’s Fireball
The Devil’s Fireball is another whiskey cocktail that features Fireball cinnamon whiskey. Mix the whiskey with cranberry juice and apple juice in this cider-like cocktail at Perfect Company.
If cinnamon whiskey isn’t preferred, this cocktail will be just as tasty paired with any other flavored whiskey used in its place.
15. Whiskey Apple Cider
If you want a simple autumn-flavored cocktail for your Halloween party, you can’t go wrong with this whiskey apple cider from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.
Whiskey apple cider is a Halloween cocktail that avoids a bunch of food coloring and candy, so it’s an option if you want a punch that is practical for larger gatherings.
Halloween Cocktails with Tequila
16. Sleepy Hollow Cocktail
The Sleepy Hollow Cocktail from Half Baked Harvest is a legendary tequila drink that will be sure to impress. The dark crimson cocktail features tequila, pomegranate juice, and rosemary.
Other flavors in the Sleepy Hollow cocktail include cinnamon, honey, and sparkling water.
17. Vampire Tequila
The Vampire Tequila at Mantitlement is a Halloween cocktail that combines tequila with pomegranate-flavored liqueur and seltzer.Top this drink with a bloody rim of corn syrup and food coloring.
18. The Devil’s Margarita
Want a drink that is stylish and devilish? Check out this red wine margarita from Liquor.com if you want a Halloween cocktail that will be the spotlight of any fancier holiday party.
Achieve the two-toned appearance of this margarita by slowly pouring the red wine over the margarita base to prevent the two liquor layers from mixing together.
19. Spider Venom Cocktail
The Spider Venom at My Heavenly Recipes combines tequila with spiced rum and dark cherry juice for a dark-colored Halloween cocktail with an ominous appearance.Garnish this cocktail with bright maraschino cherries, mint, and black plastic spiders for an eye-catching finishing touch.
20. Frankenstein Margarita
If your Halloween party has a green theme, this Frankenstein-themed cocktail from Playdates to Parties is a festive, fruity margarita that is sure to please. Midori liquor can also be added if you want to give this cocktail an even sweeter melon flavor.
Halloween Rum Cocktails
21. Blood Orange Punch
For a sweeter Halloween cocktail, this blood-orange punch at Dixie Crystals fits the bill. Combining pomegranate juice, rum, and lemon-lime soda, it’s practical for a large party.
To create a layered appearance in this punch, fill each glass with straight pomegranate juice before pouring the punch over it. Top each drink with an orange slice.
22. Lucifer’s Demon
The Lucifer’s Demon cocktail from Sonya’s Happenings is a red concoction that will bring some color to your Halloween spread.This drink features spiced rum, red wine, and ginger beer. Vanilla syrup helps balance out the stronger flavors of the liquor and wine.
23. Red Rum
The Red Rum cocktail at Love Happy Hour is inspired by the haunted Stephen King novel The Shining. The Red Rum is a dark red drink that combines rum with cherry juice and lime juice.
Dry ice can be added as a garnish to this rum cocktail to add some creepy bubbling smoke to the drink’s surface.
24. Caramel Apple and Spiced Rum Cocktail
The Caramel Apple and Spiced Rum Cocktail from A Food Lover’s Kitchen is a cocktail that combines spiced rum with apple cider and caramel syrup.Garnish this spiced rum cocktail with a caramel syrup rim for an extra dash of sweetness to complement the dark, complex spices in the rum.
25. Cauldron Cocktail
The Cauldron Cocktail at A Table Full of Joy is a mix of Sprite, cranberry juice, and rum that is simple to make and flavorful enough to please all your Halloween guests.
Adding dry ice will help give this cocktail a bright smoky white top to contrast against its dark coloring. Rim the cocktail glasses in green sugar for an additional pop of color.
Halloween Gin Cocktails
26. Spooky Blueberry Gin Cocktail
The spooky blueberry gin cocktail from A Full Living combines fresh blueberries and activated charcoal for a fruity and botanical cocktail that is as dark as midnight.
If you don’t like the muddled blueberries and basil in this recipe, they can be substituted for other berries and herbs, such as raspberries and mint.
27. Bloody Good Gin and Tonic
Nothing beats a classic gin and tonic, except maybe this Halloween-themed bloody gin and tonic at Vintage Kitty. Garnish this cocktail with eyeballs made from carved apples and berries.
One thing that makes this drink extra spooky for a Halloween party is the addition of tonic water, which glows under blacklights thanks to the quinine in the soda.
28. Red Devil
The Red Devil cocktail from The Littlest Crumb combines grenadine and sloe gin for a blood-red cocktail that is easy to mix up in large batches for parties. Garnish this cocktail with a spear of maraschino cherries or a wedge of lime.
29. Spooky Gin Spritz
The Spooky Gin Spritz at Good Life Eats is a raspberry and lemon-flavored cocktail that is mixed with sparkling soda for a fizzy Halloween punch.The key to this cocktail’s fruity flavor is the fresh muddled raspberry sauce that the drink is built around.
30. Satan’s Whiskers
The Satan’s Whisker’s cocktail is a Halloween cocktail that dates back to the 1920s at The Embassy Club in Los Angeles.The recipe from Kitchen Riffs is a devilish mix of dry gin, vermouth, Grand Marnier, and orange juice in a smooth, rich drink sure to please any group of ghosts and ghouls.
Tips for Halloween-Themed Cocktails
- Use high-quality liquors. Using high-quality liquors can translate to smooth, mellow cocktails where the flavor of the liquor doesn’t overshadow the bitters or aromatics.
- Chill the cocktail glasses. Pouring cocktails into unchilled cocktail glasses can cause them to warm up too fast, especially at a crowded party.
- Use fresh ingredients. Canned juice and fruit will do in a pinch if you’re short on fruits in season, but going with fresh ingredients will add some extra zing to your cocktails.
- Shake with plenty of ice. Making sure your cocktails are cold enough will help keep the spirits in them from
- Use proper glassware. Using clear glassware will show off any bright colors in your Halloween cocktails. Using the correct glassware can make drinks more aromatic, too.
What to Serve with Halloween Cocktails
If you’re serving strong aromatic or sweet cocktails at your Halloween party, you’ll want to serve some appetizers that can hold up to the flavors in your signature drink.
Try these appetizers for your Halloween buffet to complement the cocktails in the list above:
- Dip
- Fruit salad
- Cut vegetable platter
- Shrimp cocktail
- Sausage rolls
- Devilled eggs
- Miniature pizzas or bruschetta
- Cheese ball and crackers
FAQ
Can You Put Dry Ice in a Drink?
Dry ice can be used in cocktails as long as it isn’t swallowed or touched with your bare hands. Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide and is more than -100 degrees at room temperature.
Once placed in a cocktail, dry ice sinks to the bottom of the drink and disappears after a few minutes. It creates white smoke on the surface of the drink but won’t mix with the drink.
Is It Safe to Ingest Dry Ice?
Dry ice is not safe to drink and should not be touched with your mouth or hands. Because of its extremely low temperature, dry ice can cause serious burns if it contacts the skin.
What Are Some Halloween Cocktail Garnish Ideas?
Halloween-themed cocktail garnishes can add some extra pizzazz to your finished mixed drinks.
- Eyeballs: Eyeballs are a classic Halloween cocktail garnish that can be created from carved apples, frozen grapes, or frozen berries.
- Pumpkin tops: A pumpkin top garnish can be made for orange-colored drinks by placing an orange slice on the drink and sticking a slice of lime zest in the center.
- Devil horns: Devil horns can be created for devil-themed Halloween cocktails by slicing the ends of red cocktail peppers and placing them on the rims of the cocktail glasses.
- Whipped cream ghosts: For sweet and chocolate-flavored Halloween cocktails, a whipped cream ghost can be sprayed on the drink’s top and decorated with edible eyes.
- Gummy worms: Gummy worms are an easy Halloween cocktail garnish since they don’t require any crafting ability to look impressive.
- Dry ice: Dry ice is an effective garnish for many different Halloween cocktails since it can give the appearance of a spooky mist or fog floating on the surface of the drinks.
Halloween Cocktails Will Be the Star Of Any Party
Halloween cocktails can be made out of many different liquors and flavor profiles. They’re a fun and creative way to help carry across the color scheme and theme of your party.
The guide above should provide plenty of recipe options to suit your next Halloween party no matter what type of spooky spirits you prefer.