Now that we’re in full-on Halloween season, a little spooky sipping is in order. We caught up with Robert Giles of Colonial Wines & Spirits for some bewitching beverages that fit the bill. Tap into your inner mad scientist and give these recipes a try.
Candy Corn Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 3/4 oz. Absolut Vanilla Vodka
- 1/2 oz. Crème de Cacao Light
- 1/2 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
- 2 oz. orange juice
- 1 tbsp. dark cocoa powder
Directions:
Prepare the rim of a martini glass by rimming it in orange juice. Dust the rimmed glass with dark cocoa powder. Add about a half cup of ice into a shaker. Add all the spirits and remaining orange juice. Shake and very carefully pour into the glass. (Be careful not to spoil the cocoa dusted rim.) Garnish with an orange peel twist and a few pieces of candy corn on a skewer.
Pro tip: This cocktail is easy to prepare in larger batches and is perfect at Halloween parties.
Frankenstein’s Monster Juice
Ingredients:
- 1/4 tbsp. fresh rosemary leaf
- 1/4 oz. simple syrup
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1 1/2 oz. fresh pineapple juice
- 2 oz. Citadelle Gin
- 1 oz. Faccia Brutto Centerbe
- Fever Tree Tonic Water
- lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
Muddle the rosemary in simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Add lime juice, pineapple juice, gin and Centerbe together in the shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a highball and top with tonic water.
Pro tip: This monster mixture glows under black light, so plan your decor accordingly.
Scorpion’s Sting
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
- 1/2 oz. Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
- 2 1/2 oz. Ilegal Mezcal Joven
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
- pomegranate arils
- jalapeño slice
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a stirring glass with a large scoop of ice. Stir vigorously and double strain through a mesh strainer into a pre-chilled coup. Float a sliced pepper and garnish with pomegranate arils (and maybe an eyeball or two).
Zombie Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon
- 1 oz. Planteray 3 Star White Rum
- 1 oz. Planteray Dark Rum
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 2 dashes grenadine
- 4 oz. fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz. Planteray OFTD Overproof Rum
Directions:
Mix Giffard with light and dark rum in a cocktail shaker, add lime juice and grenadine. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with cracked ice. Fill the glass with orange juice, but leave enough room to float the OFTD rum on top. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
For more lurking libations, including a step-by-step Halloween party planning guide, visit the Colonial Wines & Spirits website.