Drink or Treat! Our Picks for Haunting Halloween Cocktails

For me, no Halloween is complete without the following three things: costumes, candy and cocktails. The first two usually take care of themselves, so it's the third I usually worry about. But by the time October 31st rolls around, most of us are already overloaded on sugar and corny gimmicks, so I like to keep my Halloween cocktails seasonal, classy and most importantly, not too sweet. Here are some favorite scary sippers that will be sure to shake up any Halloween bash.

Cider House Rules

Tequila Don Julio Ambassador Brian Van Flandern knows a thing or two about quality cocktails. After working as head mixologist for Thomas Keller's famed Per Se, he has a firm grasp on combining seasonal spirits with bold flavors to make innovative drinks. He strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and spice in this cider-infused cocktail, which is a unique take on the traditional cider and rum combination. Tip: Tequila and apple cider contain many of the same base flavors and make perfect partners for a cocktail.

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 oz. Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed apple cider
1/2 oz. club soda
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1/16 tsp. ground cinnamon

PREPARATION:
1. Combine Don Julio Blanco, fresh squeezed apple cider, club soda, fresh lemon juice and can sugar simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Cover and shake well.
2. Strain contents into a highball glass and garnish with sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Pumpkin Martini

Since it wouldn't be Halloween without pumpkins, this is a recipe that incorporates spiced pumpkin liqueur with a kick of vanilla vodka. For a slightly sweeter variation of this, try Brenda Marry's Pumpkin Chai Latte Martini, which is rich and smooth— dessert in a glass.

INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. Sylk cream liqueur
1 oz. Pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin-flavored syrup
Cinnamon for rimming glass

PREPARATION:
1. Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass into the pumpkin liqueur, then place the glass rim-down into the cinnamon until the rim is coated.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the vanilla vodka, cream and pumpkin liqueurs, then shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
3. Strain into the rimmed glass and serve.

Bloody Cosmopolitan

This seasonal spin off the classic Cosmo features all the same flavor profiles, but intensified. The combination of pomegranate and blood orange juices not only adds a deep, ruby red color, but a wonderfully complex flavor that is both sweet and tart.

INGREDIENTS:
1 oz. vodka
2 oz. triple sec
1 oz. freshly squeezed blood orange juice
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice
Sugar for rimming glass

PREPARATION:
1. Run a slice of blood orange around the rim of a chilled martini glass. Dip the rim in sugar and turn until well coated.
2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of blood orange and serve.

Spicy Mulled Cider

Mulled cider is a cold-weather favorite, and since nothing complements the flavor of cider like rum, we use two kinds of warm and spicy spirits to flavor this drink. Bonus points: This drink is easy to mix up in large batches for a crowd of Halloween party-goers. Trick: St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram is an intensely spiced rum distilled from fermented molasses and adds extra sweetness to drinks.

INGREDIENTS:
5 oz. apple cider
2 oz. spiced rum
1 oz. St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
1/2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Pinch of nutmeg

PREPARATION:
1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until well combined.
2. Once the cider starts to steam, pour the contents of the saucepan into a mug and serve.

— Written by Lisa Curry

Photo credit: Behind the Burner

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