.png)
Halloween is only a month away and all business owners in the hospitality industry must start preparing for it. It’s typically a busy day (or a weekend) with an increased demand for unique cocktails and other drinks. People want to feel the spirit of the holiday and enjoy all kinds of spooky creations. On the other hand, restaurants want to maximize profits, and preparing the perfect Halloween beverage inventory becomes really important.
If you haven’t started with the inventory preparation yet, we are here to help and inspire you by sharing some scary-good Halloween cocktails to make this year. Here you will find some great recipes to try but you can also use them to build your own cocktails. Think about the cocktail ingredients you already have in stock, the cocktail garnishes you could be using, and of course, about the type of business you run and the food you serve. All these factors will play a role when building a special occasion beverage menu.
Read the following paragraphs to learn more about the Halloween cocktails you can make. We will give different suggestions but always consult with your bartender or mixologist. They may have some spooky ideas that will fit perfectly with the concept of your restaurant or bar, or the theme of the party you are planning this year. Let’s dive right in!
Spooky Halloween Cocktails to Make This Year
Creating a unique selection of Halloween cocktails is a great way to attract customers and add a festive atmosphere to your menu. Halloween day or weekend is typically quite busy for restauranteurs, so make sure you have everything ready to go for the perfect festive drinks! Don’t be scared to experiment with the recipes too, until you find what works best for your menu. Here are the Halloween cocktails we recommend trying:
1. Bloody Vampire Martini
Everyone (or almost everyone) loves a good, classic Martini. To make it Halloween-appropriate, turn this classic cocktail into a blood-red drink. Use pomegranate juice or blood orange puree to give the cocktail that signature crimson color. To make the presentation of the drink more dramatic, garnish it with a syringe filled with “blood”, which you can make with grenadine or raspberry syrup.
For the Bloody Vampire Martini, you need the following ingredients:
- Vodka
- Triple sec
- pomegranate juice
- Lemon juice
- Grenadine
Key Takeaway: Halloween cocktails are a great way to celebrate the occasion and bring more people to your bar or restaurant during this busy time. Enjoy creating unique cocktails, give them spooky names, and see how much your customers will enjoy celebrating at your business this year!
2. Witches’ Brew Punch
When selecting Halloween cocktails for your menu, make sure you have at least one large-batch recipe that will work great for bigger friend groups. This punch is a combination of dark rum, fruit juices, and a hint of ginger beer, served in a cauldron-like punch bowl with dry ice for an eerie, smoky effect. It will be a crowd favorite, for sure!
To make the Witches’ Brew Punch, you are going to need:
- Dark rum
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Dry ice
3. The Black Widow
You need a dark, mysterious cocktail on your drinks menu! This cocktail is made with black vodka, blackberry liqueur, and cranberry juice. Serve it in a coupe glass with a plastic spider on the rim to make it more creepy.
Make The Black Widow by using:
- Black vodka (or regular vodka with activated charcoal)
- Blackberry liqueur
- Cranberry juice
- Lime juice
4. Zombie Brains Shot
This layered shot looks like a creepy, curdling brain inside a shot glass. It’s visually striking and easy to make, with a base of peach schnapps, a layer of Irish cream, and a drop of grenadine to create the “brain” effect.
The ingredients for Zombie Brains Shot include:
- Peach schnapps
- Irish cream liqueur
- Grenadine (for the "brain")
5. Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
Halloween cocktails can be spooky but you can also go with more autumnal vibes. We suggest you try the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned that brings the flavors of fall. This is a twist to the classic Old Fashioned that will satisfy every pumpkin lover.
The ingredients you need include:
- Bourbon
- Pumpkin spice syrup
- Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnishing
6. Poison Apple
Inspired by the classic fairy tale, this cocktail combines apple cider with spiced rum and a splash of cranberry juice for a sweet yet spooky sip. A cinnamon stick stirrer completes the effect.
Here is what you need:
- Spiced rum
- Apple cider
- cranberry juice
- Cinnamon stick
7. Eyeball Martini
Creepy Halloween cocktails will be all the rage for sure, so don’t skip on the Eyeball Martini! To make it really creepy, you can use lychee fruits stuffed with blueberries as floating eyeballs. Pair with a simple gin or vodka Martini for a sophisticated taste.
For the perfect Eyeball Martini, you need:
- Vodka or gin
- Dry vermouth
- Lychee fruits
- Blueberries
These creative Halloween cocktails not only look festive and creepy but are also full of flavors. They are simple, yet eye-catching, which is a recipe for a successful Halloween event at any bar or restaurant! Don’t miss the opportunity to make this Halloween season enjoyable for your customers and make your establishment one of their favorites in the long run.
Preparing Your Bar or Restaurant for Halloween
To make the Halloween celebrations at your bar or restaurant truly unforgettable, you must prepare in advance. Make sure your beverage inventory is well-prepared to handle the influx of customers during this busy time. Analyze data from previous years or previous busy periods to determine the quantities you are going to need. Speak with suppliers in advance to ensure they can deliver what’s needed on time.
If you handle busy seasons well and customers are satisfied, you will be able to grow your business and boost profits. To make it possible, you should use a reliable beverage inventory app to help you navigate high and low seasons and make sure you always have what’s needed. Book a demo with BinWise to find out more!
Frequently Asked Questions about Halloween Cocktails
If you want to know more about Halloween cocktails, delicious combinations, and spooky garnishes, read the answers to the following questions!
What Makes a Cocktail “Halloween-Themed”?
Halloween cocktails typically feature spooky, eerie, or creepy elements. This can be done by using dark colors or vibrant ones, unique garnishes (eg. gummy warms, dry ice, lychee “eyeballs”), and flavors that match the fall season (eg. apple, pumpkin spice, blood orange).
Are There Any Good Non-Alcoholic Halloween Cocktails?
For the people who don’t drink alcohol, try a Haunted Punch made with cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, and a splash of grenadine to add a red color. Serve it with a spooky garnish like gummy worms.
How Do I Make Black Halloween Cocktails?
Make black Halloween cocktails using ingredients like black vodka, activated charcoal, or squid ink (if you are feeling adventurous). Blackberry liqueur and dark spirits like blackstrap rum can also help you achieve dark, moody tones.
What Is the Best Way to Serve Halloween Cocktails?
Use creativity in the presentation of your Halloween cocktails! Skull mugs, test tubes, or cauldrons are great to use. Decorate the bar area with cobwebs, candles, and eerie lighting. Pair the cocktails with a fun and spooky name to make it even more Halloween-themed.