These Spooky Cocktails Are A Perfect Way To Embrace Halloween Season

October’s arrival means all things spooky and scary are now in season. Whether that means a classic Halloween movie or working on the perfect costume, these cocktails will be the ideal accompaniment.

The Spooky Rabbit

At Southernside Brewing in Greenville, South Carolina, this cocktail is made with apple cider, orange juice, Bacardi dark rum, simple syrup, and ginger beer. It is fall in a glass. With an orange garnish and a black sugar rim, it’s the perfect pairing for any Halloween party spread. Or while you’re leaf-peeping on your porch by the fire pit. “I love this cocktail because it’s just so easy to drink. From the first sip, you get smooth and sweet from the apple cider, but it still has some warmth to it from the spiced rum and the ginger beer. This drink makes you want to be sitting by a fire, on a nice cool fall evening, as the leaves turn their beautiful fall colors. Nothing says fall quite like a refreshing Spooky Rabbit in one hand, and freshly roasted s’more in the other,” said Ricardo Magana, mixologist at Southernide Brewing

Vlad Collins

Gin, blood orange syrup, lemon, spiced orange ginger ale, Vampyre vodka ‘blood’ float, garnished with citrus and vampire teeth. “This is a genuinely creepy one that was inspired by a bad dream,” says Las Vegas-based Sand Dollar Lounge co-owner and recipe master Anthony Jamison. “The ‘blood’ seeps into the cocktail as you drink it. Definitely one for the vampire lovers out there.”

 Spooky Tang

The Hot Chick in Scottsdale, Arizona has a festive twist on the bar’s signature Pootie Tang cocktail, handcrafted with Bacardi Coconut Rum, Peach Schnapps, and Tang, the popular orange-flavored, non-carbonated soft drink mix. It is served on the rocks and garnished with a black sugar rim and a decorative spider to add more spooky vibes. ““This fun, easy twist on one of our signature cocktails is perfect for welcoming the spooky holiday. It’s tangy and delicious!” said Shay Golosewski, Marketing Director for Jocque Concepts (which owns The Hot Chick).

Senhora Rosa

At Cinder House restaurant and bar at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, this cocktail is bright and bouncy, this vodka punch is infused with hibiscus leaves, fresh lime and pineapple. Bittercube Jamaican No. 2 bitters add depth and complexity with warm underlying notes of vanilla and grapefruit to compliment the easy-sipping cocktail. The bright color offers an instant conversation starter – especially amongst a sea of dark Halloween costumes and spooky makeup; pair this beverage with a Dia de los Muertos costume for the ultimate insta-worthy capture of the evening. “The Senhora Rosa has an upbeat South American vibe, bright in color and flavor, without being heavy on dark syrups or rums,” said India Stevens, Cinder Bar supervisor.

Paint It Black 

At The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits in Charleston, South Carolina, this is a bourbon based cocktail with blackberry syrup, blackberry cordial, Vermut Lustau, and fresh lemon. “As we transition into fall, we wanted to provide a warm, festive cocktail that celebrates the spooky season in the low country. This is a perfectly balanced bourbon cocktail that’s warm and fresh at the same time,” said Darren Fallon, bar manager.

Smoke Show

At BOA Steakhouse in Los Angeles, this cocktail is made with Wild Turkey Longbranch Bourbon, maple syrup, orange bitters, and applewood smoke. “Our Smoke Show cocktail is a twist on the Old Fashioned with all the fall flavors and theatrics that set the tone for Halloween,” said BOA Steakhouse Lead Bartender Tara Shadzi.

Hopped Pumpkin Mule

At The Grand Delancey at The Market Line in New York City, this cocktail is made with Evan Williams BIB, Smith & Cross, roasted and spiced pumpkin, Azacca hop oil, fresh ginger and lime. “This frozen cocktail uses the earthy sweetness from the roasted pumpkin and bright citric bitterness from the hop oil to balance perfectly to create a fun Halloween cocktail,” said Sam Schwartz, general manager.

Bloody Mi-Choi-Lada

Within Best Friend, Roy Choi’s Las Vegas restaurant at Park MGM, guests can enjoy a bloody Halloween special integrating the chef’s famous fusion flavors into an American classic cocktail. The Bloody Mi-Choi-Lada mixes together Modelo, Clamato and housemade kimchi juice before being finished off with lime and tajin. “The Bloody Mi-Choi-Lada is a spin on the classic Michelada. We use our house made kimchi juice in our mix to give it an extra kick,” said marketing manager Melanie Foote.

Blue Pumpkin Martini

At the Lobby Bar at The Godfrey Hotel Boston is the Blue Pumpkin Martini, which was created for October in honor of Autism Awareness Month. This seasonal cocktail is made with Triple Eight Vanilla Flavored Vodka, Molly’s Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream, plus a dash of blue food coloring. Even better: $5 from every martini will be donated to Autism Connections, a local nonprofit that provides support, information, and practical help for children and adults with autism, as well as their families, friends, and professionals. “Our Blue Pumpkin Martini is the perfect fall nightcap, inviting guests to enjoy the unique pumpkin spice blend while getting all of the classic New England feels,” said mixologist Cassie Stockbridge.