Spook-tacular Halloween Cocktails to Try This Year

It’s officially October! Fall is in full swing, the leaves are changing, and, most importantly, Spooky Season has arrived. And with the holiday buzz kicking off, what better way to celebrate than by throwing an epic Halloween party? You’ve got your couples’ costume ready (let’s be real—it’s been planned since November 1st of last year), the house is decked out like Dracula’s lair, the food is prepped, and the RSVPs are in. Now, all that’s left are the DRINKS!

But here’s the catch: the drinks are the centerpiece of the night. You want something more exciting than Halloween-themed beer or your college days’ trash-can punch, but you’re not sure where to start. If you’re searching for cocktails that not only look frightfully good but taste even better, we’ve got you covered! Check out our 2024 Spooky Cocktails guide and prepare to impress your guests for a wickedly good time!

To Death Styled Shoot At The Emerson, thanks to Heather Photography

Featured Halloween Cocktails:

At Professional Partiers Bar, we’ve curated the ultimate list of this season’s best Halloween cocktails for every taste preference. Whether you’re into fruity, sweet, bold, or refreshing flavors, we’ve got a spine-tingling option for you. And don’t worry—we’ve also included a selection of Halloween mocktails so no one’s left out of the fun. From creepy-themed concoctions to classic seasonal sips, along with a variety of garnish ideas and spooky names to choose from, you’re sure to find something that thrills. Whether you follow one of our ghoulish recipes or get custom Halloween mocktail bases from our team, one thing is for sure: after browsing our cocktail lineup, you’ll be more than prepared for the haunted festivities.

Of course, taste is crucial, but when it comes to Halloween cocktails, appearance is everything. The details make all the difference! Think sugar rims, gummy eyeballs, sour candies, edible glitter, and spooky cocktail picks. This is your chance to get a little wild and creative—go over the top and have some fun with it! Need some inspiration? Check out what we’ve crafted below. And don’t hesitate to put your own twist on things—creativity goes a long way in making your drinks unforgettable.

Zombie Brain Mule

The Zombie Brain Mule is a bold, tangy twist on the classic Moscow Mule, and it’s bound to give your guests a fun scare with its creepy, brain-like garnish. Moscow Mules had their big moment a few years ago, and they’ve stayed a staple ever since. By making a few simple changes—like swapping out vodka for tequila and incorporating delicious, seasonal ingredients—this drink gets a fresh twist while staying familiar and approachable for you and your guests.

One of the highlights of this cocktail is the addition of pomegranate juice, which not only tastes incredible but also adds a perfect seasonal touch. In Texas, pomegranate season runs from September to November, making this fall fruit a local favorite to source. Its tart flavor balances out the sweetness, while its rich, blood-red hue and chunky seeds deliver a spook-worthy appearance. The deep color and eerie texture play right into the Halloween theme, giving off major “zombie brain” vibes.

And don’t forget the final touch: a brain-themed gummy garnish that brings the whole look together. Your guests will appreciate this fun, creative detail, but even more, they’ll love the fact that it’s made with fresh juices rather than relying on artificial flavors or dyes. With the Zombie Brain Mule, you’re serving up a cocktail that’s not only visually striking but also deliciously refreshing—and sure to be a hit at your Halloween party!

Ingredients

  • 1.5oz Tequila of Choice
  • .5oz Lime Juice
  • 1oz Pomegranate Juice
  • Ginger Beer Topper
  • Lime Wedge Garnish
  • Pomegranate Seeds Garnish
  • Gummy Candy Brain Garnish

Recipe

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Take a classic Moscow Mule copper mug and rim it with lime juice all along the edge. This adds a subtle lime flavor with each sip and pairs perfectly with the copper mug. Fill the mug with ice.
  2. Build the Cocktail:
    This is a built cocktail, meaning you’ll make it directly in the glass. Start by pouring in the tequila, followed by the lime juice and pomegranate juice. The pomegranate juice acts as the sweetener in this drink, but if you prefer it a little sweeter, feel free to add a splash of simple syrup (though we love it just as it is with the pomegranate juice alone!).
  3. Top with Ginger Beer:
    Finish off the drink by topping it with ginger beer to bring in that signature mule flavor we all know and love.
  4. Garnish:
    Garnish with a lime wedge on the edge of the mug and a sprig of mint (lightly slapped to release its fresh aromas) nestled into the side of the drink. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top for added texture and a pop of spooky color. Finally, top it off with a brain-shaped gummy to seal the deal on the zombie vibes.
  5. Serve & Enjoy! 😉

Ghost Smoked Old Fashioned

A timeless classic with a haunting twist—our Ghost Smoked Old Fashioned takes your favorite whiskey or bourbon and elevates it with a rich, smoky flavor, creating the perfect cocktail for Halloween. The smoke doesn’t just enhance the taste, it also adds an eerie, misty vibe that’s sure to impress.

Want to take your Ghost Smoked Old Fashioned even further? Try freezing themed ice molds, like skeleton ice balls, for an extra spooky touch! When it comes to bitters, we love using a mix of orange bitters and classic bitters in our Old Fashioneds, but don’t be afraid to mix in some fall flavors or experiment with different bitters from your collection.

As for smoking your cocktail, it’s all about playing with different smoking chips—think cherry, pear, or walnut. Each chip brings its own unique flavor and aroma, so why not let your guests choose their favorite? Imagine the haunting smells filling the air at your next event. Which one will set the mood?

Smoked cocktails may have become popular at local speakeasies or cocktail lounges, but serving them right in your living room or at your custom-stocked home bar? That’s something unique. You’re guaranteed to turn heads, hear a few “wows,” and get those “I feel like I’m at a fancy restaurant or club” compliments!

Ingredients

  • 2oz Whiskey/Bourbon of Choice
  • .75oz Simple Syrup
  • 3-4 Dashes Bitters (Try mixing Cherry + Orange Bitters for an unique taste)
  • Smoke
  • Cocktail Cherry Garnish (*Try Our Pick- Luxardo Cherries or Amarena Fabbri Wild Cherries)
  • Orange Peel Garnish
  • Ghost Cocktail Pick

Recipe

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Start by dropping an ice cube into your serving glass. This will be the base for your Old Fashioned.
  2. Mix the Cocktail:
    In a separate mixing glass, add 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon, 0.5 oz of simple syrup, and 2 dashes of bitters. Add ice to the mixing glass, then take a bar spoon and quickly stir the mixture. Make sure not to let the spoon touch the edges of the glass—glide the back of the spoon along the inside of the mixing glass. This should be almost silent as you stir until the ingredients are well incorporated and chilled.
  3. Strain Over the Glass:
    Once the cocktail is chilled, strain it into your prepared glass over the ice cube.
  4. Prep Your Cocktail Pick:
    Place two cherries on your Ghost Cocktail Pick, and set to the side. Be sure to use this as an opportunity to add a few drops of the cherry syrup into your glass for an extra burst of sweetness.
  5. Orange Twist:
    Take an orange slice and gently rub it along the inside rim of the glass to release the oils, then twist it into the drink for a pop of citrus. If you hire a pro like us, we might even torch the orange peel to ignite a little spark and release extra orange oils into the glass for added flair.
  6. Smoke:
    Now the big moment, cover the glass with your smoking contraption and fill it with your chosen wood smoke (cherry, walnut, etc.) until you reach your desired strength. Release the cover, letting the smoke escape and swirl ghostly around the glass, enhancing the drink as it makes its way to the lucky recipient.
  7. Garnish: For the final touch, lay your cherry filled Ghost Cocktail Pick across the top of the glass.
  8. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Witch’s Blood Martini Spritzer

The Witch’s Blood Martini Spritzer is a playful twist on the classic lemon drop martini. Made with vodka, homemade raspberry simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, it’s shaken to perfection and topped with soda water for a refreshing fizz. The result? A beautifully balanced cocktail that’s tart, fresh, and vibrant pink—sure to turn heads.

The magic lies in the details. A red glaze icing drip around the rim mimics flowing blood, setting the perfect spooky vibe, while a floating dehydrated lemon wheel adds a touch of elegance.

Most simple syrups use a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of sweetener to water. A 2:1 ratio makes a thicker syrup, better suited for richer cocktails. For this recipe, we stick to a 1:1 ratio to let the tartness of the lemon and raspberry shine, keeping the cocktail light and refreshing without overpowering the other flavors.

This versatile cocktail can also be served over ice with extra soda water for a spritzer-style twist—perfect for casual sipping or venues that require drinks to be served with ice. Whether served straight up or as a spritzer, the Witch’s Blood Martini Spritzer will enchant your guests with its familiar lemon drop taste and playful, fruity twist.

Ingredients

The Syrup

  • 1 part Sugar
  • 1 part Water
  • 1 part Fresh Raspberries

The Cocktail

  • 1.5oz Vodka of Choice
  • 1.5oz Housemade Raspberry Syrup
  • 1.5oz Lemon Juice
  • Soda Water or Club Soda Topper
  • Edible Blood Glaze Drip Rim
  • Fresh or Dehydrated, Lemon Wheel Garnish

Recipe

The Syrup

  1. Boil The Water:
    Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
  2. Add Sugar:
    Add the sugar and stir until it fully dissolves.
  3. Let It Simmer:
    Turn the heat down to medium and add the raspberries. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’ve broken down completely.
  4. Prevent Boil Over:
    Keep an eye on it to prevent it from boiling over (trust us—we’ve learned that the hard way).
  5. Remove & Strain:
    Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pulp or seeds.
  6. Storage:
    Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Lasts 7-10 usually.

The Cocktail

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Take your edible blood glaze, and carefully squeeze the glaze along side the outer rim of your glass, using enough that it drips a little- giving it that oozingly haunted look. Add ice to to the glass.
  2. Shake the Cocktail:
    This is a shaken cocktail, meaning you’ll add most of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake that thing, until it’s icy cold. Start by pouring in the vodka, followed by the lemon juice and raspberry syrup into your shaker, and add ice. Now it’s time to put your bartender hat on, and show us your best shake face! (12-15s of vigorous shaking will do the trick)
  3. Strain Over the Glass:
    Once the cocktail is chilled, strain it into your prepared glass with or without ice.
  4. Top with Soda Water:
    Top off the drink, by adding soda water, aka. putting the spritz in a spritzer.
  5. Garnish:
    Gently place your lemon wheel garnish on top, adding a pop of color.
  6. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Witch’s Brew Blackberry Mojito

Mojitos are a classic Cuban cocktail known for their refreshing qualities and vibrant flavors. Traditionally made with white rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and soda water, they strike a perfect balance between sweetness, acidity, and the invigorating aroma of mint. The simplicity of the ingredients allows for endless variations, making mojitos a versatile choice for any occasion.

The beauty of mojitos lies in their adaptability. While the classic version is timeless, mixologists have embraced creativity, introducing fruit flavors, herbs, and unique spirits. From berry-infused variations to tropical twists, the mojito can be transformed to suit any season or celebration..

Our Witch’s Brew Blackberry Mojito is not just a drink; it’s a celebration of the season. The deep, dark colors mirror the mysteries of the night, while the fruity flavors embody the joy of autumn harvests. Whether you’re hosting a costume party or enjoying a quiet evening, this cocktail is sure to bewitch your guests and elevate your Halloween festivities

Ingredients

The Syrup

  • 1 part Sugar
  • 1 part Water
  • 1 part Fresh Blackberries

The Cocktail

  • 1.5oz Rum of Choice
  • 1.5oz Housemade Blackberry Syrup
  • 1.5oz Lime Juice
  • Soda Water or Club Soda Topper
  • Mint Sprig Garnish
  • Blackberry Garnish
  • Lime Wedge Garnish
  • Halloween Themed Cocktail Pick

Recipe

The Syrup

  1. Boil The Water:
    Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
  2. Add Sugar:
    Add the sugar and stir until it fully dissolves.
  3. Let It Simmer:
    Turn the heat down to medium and add the raspberries. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’ve broken down completely.
  4. Prevent Boil Over:
    Keep an eye on it to prevent it from boiling over (trust us—we’ve learned that the hard way).
  5. Remove & Strain:
    Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pulp or seeds.
  6. Storage:
    Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Lasts 7-10 usually.

The Cocktail

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Add ice to your glass- to follow tradition, make use of a tall slender glass, aka a Collins Glass.
  2. Muddle Your Mint:
    What’s a mojito without mint? Well, it’s not a mojito 😉 Take your shaker glass and add your lime juice, blackberry syrup, and mint, from here take your cocktail muddler, and with pressure press and twist, allowing the mint to release its aromas and for the favors to blend- being sure not to over do it.
  3. Shake The Cocktail:
    This again is a shaken cocktail, meaning you’ll add most of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake that thing! (12-15s of vigorous shaking will do the trick) Your shaker should already have the muddled mint with lime juice & blackberry syrup, now add your rum, and get to shaking.
  4. Strain Over the Glass:
    Once your soon to be mojito is chilled, strain it into your prepared glass over the ice.
  5. Top with Soda Water:
    Top off the drink, by adding soda water, finishing off your mojito.
  6. Garnish:
    Place your lime wedge on the edge of the glass, put 1-3 blackberries on your Halloween Cocktail Pick and gently drop into the glass next to lime, lastly place a fresh mint sprig into the drink.
  7. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Full Moon-Tini

The Full Moon-tini is a mystical, dark-hued cocktail that will mesmerize your guests with its bold flavors and striking black color. Made with gin, lime juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of soda water, it’s topped with a fresh blackberry garnish to create a drink that’s as refreshing as it is haunting. Whether you’re serving it up at a Halloween party or a moonlit gathering, the Full Moon-tini is sure to leave an impression.

Activated Charcoal Disclaimer:
While activated charcoal adds an eye-catching, inky black color, it can also absorb certain medications, such as birth control pills, making them less effective. We recommend advising guests to enjoy this drink responsibly and only if they’re not currently taking medication that could be affected.

Ingredients

  • 1.5oz Gin of Choice
  • Activated Charcoal
  • 1oz Lime Juice
  • 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
  • Soda Water or Club Soda Topper
  • Blackberry Garnish
  • Halloween Themed Cocktail Pick

Recipe

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Grab your nearest Martini or Coupe glass and have it ready for a drink that puts the spooky in Halloween.
  2. Shake the Cocktail:
    Add your gin, lime juice, pineapple juice, and activated charcoal into your shaker, along with some ice, and get to shaking. This martini is a shaken cocktail to ensure it’s icy cold and all the flavors and colors blend seamlessly together.
  3. Strain Over the Glass:
    Once the cocktail is chilled, strain it into your prepared glass.
  4. Top with Soda Water:
    Top off the martini, by adding soda water.
  5. Garnish:
    Gently place 2-3 blackberries on your Halloween Cocktail Pick and carefully lay the pick across the glass.
  6. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Poisoned Peach Bellini

Embrace the spirit of Halloween with our Halloween Bellini, a cocktail that transforms the classic brunch favorite into a festive treat. This sparkling drink captivates with its shimmering peachy hue, inviting your guests to indulge in something both delicious and visually enchanting.

Imagine a flute filled with effervescent, peach-colored nectar, sparkling like the autumn sun. The dark and twisted sugar rim adds a spooky touch, creating an alluring contrast that perfectly embodies the essence of Halloween. As you lift the glass, the edible glitter catches the light, creating a mesmerizing dance of sparkles that captivates and delights.

Edible glitter elevates this cocktail to a whole new level of magic. A little pinch can transform your drink, infusing it with a shimmering quality that feels festive and fun. If the glitter settles, a gentle stir will bring it back to life, ensuring that your Bellini remains as enchanting throughout the evening as it was when first poured.

This cocktail is perfect for Halloween brunches, spooky soirées, or as a celebratory drink at any autumn gathering. Pair it with themed appetizers like pumpkin spice muffins, savory tartlets, or a cheese platter adorned with dark fruits.

Ingredients

  • 4oz Bubbly of Choice
  • 1-2oz (to taste) Housemade Peach Syrup
  • Dash of Orange Edible Glitter
  • Black Sugar Rim
  • Mint Sprig Garnish
  • Peach Slice Garnish

Recipe

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Take a champagne flute and rim it with peach juice all along the edge, from here gently dip the edges in your black sugar, coating the entire edge, giving this cocktail a pop of Halloween from the start.
  2. Stir the Cocktail:
    This is a Stirred Cocktail, meaning you will gently stir the ingredients together, to get your final result. Take your bubbly of choice, add peach syrup, a dash of edible glitter, & begin to gently stir.
  3. Garnish:
    Add your mint spring and peach garnish to the glass.
  4. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Devil’s Ranch Water

Give your classic ranch water a devilishly spicy twist with a kick of jalapeño! This fiery version adds just the right amount of heat to liven up any gathering, perfect for those who like their drinks with a bit of a punch.

Mocktails can look and taste just as good as alcohol if not better. Mocktails are just as big of a hit as Cocktails no adays, whether your saving money, cleaning up your routine, working out more, pregnant, overcoming addiction, allergic- you name it- you can have a fun and pretty drink too! Better yet, make it good for you, use clean ingredients, vitamins, and make it hydrating.

Sometimes you your non-drinking on the down low, that’s okay- no one will know the difference looking at our Mocktails. Keeping the same level of style and flair for our Mocktails, making use of homemade syrups, adding classic & unique garnishes- making any mocktail just as desired as your once favorite cocktail.

Ingredients

The Syrup

  • 1 part Agave
  • 1 part Water
  • Jalapeños to taste (some peppers are hotter than others)

The Cocktail

  • Topo Chico
  • .5-1.5oz (to taste) Lime Juice
  • .5-1.5oz (to taste) Housemade Jalapeno Agave
  • Salt/Tajin Rim
  • Lime Wedge Garnish
  • Sliced Jalapeño Garnish
  • Halloween Themed Cocktail Pick

Recipe

The Agave

  1. Boil The Water:
    Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
  2. Add Agave:
    Add the agave.
  3. Let It Simmer:
    Turn the heat down to medium and add the jalapeños. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’ve broken down completely.
  4. Prevent Boil Over:
    Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.
  5. Remove & Strain:
    Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pulp or seeds.
  6. Storage:
    Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Typically lasts 7-10 days.

The Mocktail

  1. Prepare the Glass:
    Take your glass and rim it with lime juice all along the edge, and dip the edges in your choice of salt or tajin. Add ice to the glass.
  2. Build the Cocktail:
    Ranch Waters are a built cocktail, meaning you’ll make it directly in the glass. Start by adding your lime juice and jalapeño agave, topping the remainder of the glass with Topo Chico.
    • Upgrade your Mocktail aesthetics by building the drink directly in a glass Topo Chico bottle!
  3. Garnish:
    Place your sliced jalapeño & lime wedge on your Halloween Mocktail Pick and carefully lay the pick across the glass.
    • If making the Mocktail directly in a Topo Chico bottle- feel free to drop a few jalapeño slices directly in the glass, and place a lime wedge in the bottle opening for guests to squeeze & drop into the bottle.
  4. Serve & Enjoy 😉

Let’s Talk Details

Halloween Cocktail Names

Your cocktails are set, but like that Instagram caption- what’s more important that the name? Anything? I don’t think so. Lucky for you, we have a plethora of Halloween/Spooky related cocktail names to choose from, whether you are looking to match the color, the flavor, or your party theme- be sure to use our list below as inspiration for your own unique cocktail name(s).

  • Witches Brew …
  • Moscow Ghoul
  • The Frankenstein
  • Witches Ghost
  • Vampire’s Delight
  • Sleepy Hallow Cocktail
  • Deathly Hallows
  • Witches Aviation
  • Nightmare on Bourbon Street
  • Vampire’s Kiss
  • Creepy Clown Margarita
  • Bloody Magic Mule
  • Sour Evil Knievel
  • Blackberry Raven
  • Black as Night …
  • Sour Vampire
  • Zombie Martini
  • The Black Widow
  • Hocus Pocus Margarita
  • The Skeleton Key
  • Dracula’s …
  • Jack The Ripper
  • Ghost Smoked
  • Grave Digger
  • The Scarecrow
  • Death By Blackberry
  • The Bride of Frankenstein

Spooky, Scary, Garnishes

So many garnish options, so many ways to garnish, how do you even decide? Don’t, do it all! Go minimal on some cocktails, go all out on others, use cocktail picks here, edible glitter there, make use of salt/sugar rims, play with fresh or dehydrated fruit. Try it all, see what you like, ultimately one to three garnishes is ideal for most cocktails. Where to start- check out our classic and spooky garnish options ideas below.

The Classics

The Extras

  • Fruit Wedge
  • Fruit Wheel
  • Dehydrated Fruit
  • Themed Cocktail Pick
  • Salt Rim
  • Sugar Rim
  • Tajin Rim
  • Pinned Garnish
  • Edible Glitter
  • Colored Salt Rim
  • Colored Sugar Rim
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Gummy Candy
  • Candy
  • Edible Blood Rim

Hosting a party can be a lot of stress, but cocktails help- especially cocktails that are fun to make! Take your bartending skills up a notch, and impress your guests- from infusing smoke, and switching up your garnish game, to making syrups from scratch, these cocktails don’t just look good, they taste Spooktacular, and are sure to be the highlight of any event! You’ll have fun before the music even starts- now pick your poison, and get to shaking. 😉

Don’t be afraid to try new things- use that colored sugar or salt, switch your classic lime wedge for a dehydrated lime wheel, add edible glitter, or better yet, Halloween candy. No matter what you do, have fun! Crafting cocktails is a form of art, express yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors, or unique garnishes- get spooky with it!

Until the Next Round – Boo!