Haunting Halloween Cocktails

This week I busted out the Halloween and harvest decorations, bought my daughters their costumes (Ariel and a gypsy), and started checking the stores for sales on gargantuan bags of candy. Ahhh, ghosts and goblins are the in the air, and I love it!

While I love to take my daughters trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, sometimes I prefer to just sit in my living room with a warm drink in my hands and wait for the doorbell to ring. I love seeing all the kids in costumes, and I am THAT crazy lady who tries to guess what they are and gushes over every Disney princess I see. I’m generous with the candy, even for the teenagers who don a “Scream” mask and call that a costume. Hey, I understand. They’re still kids at heart and want to reap the rewards of free candy as much as any of us. I won’t judge. (But they’d better say “trick or treat” or they get nuthin’!)

Holidays are such a great excuse to forgo the usual glass of merlot and try something new. I don’t want to sip a boring ol’ glass of wine or mug of beer when I can peruse Pinterest for the most interesting and tasty witch’s brew out there. So here, my friends, are the finalists in my quest for the most perfect Halloween drink to sip while waiting for tiny footsteps on my porch and the incessant chime of my doorbell.

Caramel Apple Punch – the recipe makes 8 servings, but this could easily be altered for single servings

1 quart apple cider

1-1/4 cups spiced rum

2 TB fresh lemon juice

1 red apple, thinly sliced

Combine the cider, rum and lemon juice in a large pitcher or punch bowl and chill for up to 12 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with apple slices. Variations: Heat ingredients rather than chill, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or dusting of ground nutmeg.

 

Witches’ Brew – feel free to garnish with gummy worms or other deliciously devilish candies

2 oz. mixed pineapple and cranberry juice

2 oz. 7-Up or Sprite

1-1/4 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum

Mix juices and soda in a glass. Pour shot of rum down the inside of the glass just before serving.

 

Cruzan Pumpkin Toddy – This could be made with any brand of rum, of course, but we’ll give credit where credit’s due. And this drink couldn’t be easier to make!

1-1/2 oz. Cruzan 9-Spice Rum

1/2 oz. Cruzan Vanilla Rum

3 TB pumpkin pie filling

4-5 oz. hot water

Whipped cream

Combine all ingredients in a mug and stir until fully combined. Top with whipped cream and drizzle vanilla rum on top to finish.

 

Bailey’s Pumpkin Irish Coffee

2 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream

4 oz. espresso or strongly brewed coffee

1 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice

Whipped cream

Combine Bailey’s and pumpkin pie spice in a mug. Pour in coffee and stir well. Top with whipped cream.

Double Apple Sidecar – Not so much Halloween-themed, but I made it for a Thanksgiving aperitif last year, and love it as a fall cocktail.

1 TB fresh lemon juice

2 TB apple cider

2 TB orange-flavored liqueur (like Cointreau)

8-9 TB apple brandy, depending on your preference

Ice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and mix, then pour into glasses over ice. Serve immediately.

More ideas, compliments of UV Vodka: