Halloween Cocktails Prettier Than Your Average Punch

You can’t throw a truly festive Halloween party without a great signature cocktail. Smokey, moody spirits with a bold hit of spice come top of mind. While the palette of these cocktails naturally skews towards the darker spectrum, we’ll be looking to elevate them with bright garnishes and a few clever additions that are part trick and most definitely a treat. Read on for the flavorful concoctions we’ll be whipping up this year, come All Hallows’ Eve.

The Half Blood Prince Cocktail

Your best bet for securing that coveted bloody red hue for a cocktail? Pomegranate will most certainly do the trick. Coupled with a splash of bourbon, raspberry liquor, and a hint of lemon, this one’s got all the tang and sweetness you could possibly need.

Get the recipe on Half Baked Harvest.

The Spider Bite

Fair warning: this one’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Concocted to emulate the illusion of a nest of spider’s eggs, this Kahlua-vodka blend serves up a major dose of the scaries thanks to the addition of the “spider sac” garnish.

Get the recipe on Minted.

The Witch’s Heart

An aptly titled concoction fit for a spooky fete, this saturated cocktail embodies the holiday at its best. The inspired hue aside, it’s the addition of the dry ice that takes the vodka-brandy mix to the next level.

Get the recipe on The Flavor Bender.

Vodka-Soaked Gummy Worms

This cocktail is almost like the adult version of dirt pudding cups. Soaking gummy worms in vodka takes almost zero prep. All you have to do is combine the gummies and spirit in a bowl, but beware. Let traditional gummies sit starting for an hour. Any longer and they’ll get gelatinous and will be inedible (trust us!). Soak less porous, themed gummies like the snakes you see here, for around two hours. Follow those timelines and you should have delicious, alcohol-infused candies that guests are sure to love. Style in shot glasses for a fun, festive look. And remember—keep them away from the kids!

Blackberry Margarita

Presentation is everything, especially when it comes to themed Halloween parties. Spice up your average margarita by opting for one that’s darker in color, like this easy blackberry recipe. Start by finding a cute stir stick (decorative cupcake toppers work if you’re in a pinch!) and hunting down some black salt for the rim of your glass.

From there, do some research to find out if any of your local shops sell blackberry juice. If not, get your juicer ready for a homemade concoction to taste. We opted for Red Jacket Blackcurrant Apple juice. Adapted from the classic Jose Cuervo margarita recipe, we recommend one part tequila, three parts juice, and ½ cup crushed ice. It’s as easy as that!

Autumn Sangria

If your idea of the perfect Halloween night is handing out candy to kids while streaming Hocus Pocus, this is the cocktail for you. The morning of your party, combine one bottle of red wine (we opted for a Pinot Noir), a few light pours of brandy, and a few heavy pours of apple cider to taste for a rich, seasonal sangria. Add chopped fruits of your choosing—we went with a few types of pears and apples from the orchard.

For the finishing touch, rim your glasses with brown sugar. Simply take an apple slice around the rim of your glass (as if it was a lime garnish) before lightly pressing the rim into a plate full of brown sugar. And don’t forget the club soda! Add right before serving so the fizz doesn’t fall flat.

This article was originally published on October 2016, it has been updated with new information.

See more seasonal DIY decor:
13 DIY Ideas for Throwing an Epic Halloween Bash
How to Wear Your Candy on Halloween
21 Runway-Inspired Beauty Looks That Were Made for Halloween