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6 Spooky Cocktails to Get You in the Halloween Spirit

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McMaster chapter.

Got any plans for this Halloween season? Whether you are attending friends’ Halloween parties, or just enjoying a chill Halloween movie night while cuddling under a blanket, I’ve got you covered with some scary delicious Halloween cocktails that are spookier than your costumes! These bright, dazzling drinks aren’t only irresistibly tasty, but they are also super easy to make. With a few ingredients, you will be ready to serve all the ghosts, goblins, witches and other unexpected guests that flood into your house. For the non-drinkers, non-alcoholic options are included as well so that you can celebrate the big night without worrying about FOMO!

1. Black Magic Jell-O Shots

Jell-O shots are a party classic. But Halloween themed Jell-O shots? Even better! The purple and black dual spooky layers give off a mysterious vibe, and these shots are a fun way to get the party started.

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages of purple Jell-O
  • 2 cups of boiling water
  • 2 cups of vodka
  • Black food coloring
  • Lime wedge (for rim, optional)
  • Black sanding sugar (for rim, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine 1 package of purple Jell-O and a cup of boiling water until Jell-O powder is completely dissolved.
  2. Whisk in vodka and fill shot cups halfway with the mixture, place them in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to firm up.
  3. When shots are almost firm, combine the second package of purple Jell-O and a cup of boiling water until powder is dissolved.
  4. Whisk in vodka and black food coloring, pour the mixture over each Jell-O shot, and put them back in the refrigerator for another 2-3 hours to firm up completely.
  5. Once the shots are firm, rim each shot cup with lime and dip them in black sanding sugar.

2. Witch’s Potion

Want a taste of this sweet potion? The bright orangey-red colour makes the drink even more enticing than it already is. Don’t forget to serve this non-alcoholic mocktail with some sour worm gummies to add more spookiness.

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups of ice
  • 1L of lemon-lime soda
  • 4 cups of lemonade
  • 1 cup of pomegranate juice

Instructions:

  1. Combine ice, soda and lemonade in a large pitcher.
  2. Gently pour pomegranate juice over the top of the pitcher to create a gradient effect.

3. Mocktail Blackberry Spritzer

Want something a little more refreshing? This non-alcoholic spritzer will bring you back to the summer night breeze when you want to take a little break from the party scene.

Ingredients:

  • Blackberries
  • 1 ½ oz of orange juice
  • 1 oz of lemon juice
  • 1 oz of cinnamon simple syrup
  • Soda water

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker or mixing glass, combine ice, blackberries, orange juice, lemon juice and cinnamon syrup until mixture is thoroughly chilled.
  2. Strain the mixture and top it off with soda water.

4. Orange-Cranberry Mimosa

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of orange juice
  • ½ cup of cranberry juice
  • 3 cups of sparkling wine
  • Orange pieces for serving

Instructions:

  1. Combine orange and cranberry juices in a pitcher or large glass, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  2. Top off each individual glass with chilled sparkling wine, serve with orange pieces.

5. Frankenpunch

If you are a big fan of lemon and lime, this is your drink! This punch bowl recipe is perfect for sharing, and the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled based on the number of guests you are having.

Ingredients:

  • 1L of ginger ale
  • 3 cups of pineapple juice
  • 1 cup of tequila
  • Lime sorbet or popsicle
  • Lemon and lime slices

Instructions:

  1. Combine ginger ale, pineapple juice and tequila in a punch bowl.
  2. Top off each individual drink with lime sorbet and lemon/lime slices.

6. Hocus Pocus Fizz

Inspired by the witches in the Disney movie Hocus Pocus. This delicious rum-based orange cocktail will put a magic spell on your tongue and pull you into the world of whimsical witches.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz Rum
  • 1 ½ oz Cranberry juice
  • ½ oz Orange juice
  • ½ oz Simple syrup
  • Prosecco or other kind of sparkling wine
  • Orange zest

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker or mixing glass, combine ice, rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and orange zest until mixture is thoroughly chilled.
  2. Strain the mixture and top it off with chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine.

Happy Halloween, and cheers to spooky season!

Catherine Yu

McMaster '23

Catherine is a fourth-year McMaster student majoring in Kinesiology. Outside of school, she loves to sing, dance, and go on hikes with friends and family! You will often catch her at the candy aisle in the grocery store.