50 Scary-Good Halloween Cocktails

Celebrate Halloween with one of our devilishly delightful drink recipes including flavored martinis, fruity sangrias, crowd-pleasing punches and jiggly gelatin shots — all guaranteed to raise spirits at your monster mash.

By: H. Camille Smith

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Photo By: Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

Photo By: Sam Henderson

Photo By: Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

Photo By: Sam Henderson

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Photo By: Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

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Potent Potables

Need a signature cocktail for your Halloween party or looking for a tasty libation to sip when and your boo curl up and watch horror movies? Vodka, gin, bourbon, rum, wine or whiskey, no matter your poison, we’ve got an array of scary-good drink recipes including a bourbon pumpkin-pie milkshake, lime-green gelatin shots, a chocolate martini and a caramel apple aperitif.

To help make your party complete, we’ve also got menu ideas and recipes for tasty appetizers and delectable desserts for all your guests. Start your decorating early with our decor ideas for indoors and outdoors. For the kids, we’ve got a slew of crafting ideas, trunk-or-treat themes and party games and activities.

Figuring out what you’re going to wear on Halloween is often the most difficult part. Peruse our galleries to find ideas for family costumes, DIY kid-friendly get-ups, couples costumes, last-minute ideas, pet costumes and costumes you can make from a simple white t-shirt.

From: Heather Baird

Monster Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Give the classic bourbon smash a berry scary update with muddled fresh blackberries. For special effect, pipe edible monster stitches onto each glass using melted candy.

Get the Recipe: Monster Smash Cocktail Recipe

From: Heather Baird

Butter Beer

Make (delicious!) Halloween magic with this witch- and wizard-approved cocktail that's sure to cast a spell on adult party guests.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Cocktail: Magic Up Some Butter Beer

From: Sam Henderson

Dia de los Muertos Mule

Add a south-of-the-border flourish to the classic mule with spicy flavor and a new spirit — tequila! Garnish with a lime wheel and a festive pick before serving. Our recipe, below, shows you how to turn readymade candy skulls into beautiful sugar skulls so you and your crew can party like the undead.

Get the Recipe: Dia de los Muertos Mule Cocktail

From: Heather Baird

Toxic Shock Gelatin Shots

Just what the mad scientist ordered, these shockingly good shots have extra pucker power to give Halloween guests a tasty jolt.

Get the Recipe: Toxic Shock Gelatin Shots

From: Sam Henderson

Marshmallow Web Chocolate Cocktail

Chocolate + marshmallow = a match made in treat heaven. Throw in alcohol and, well, this is one cocktail you'll just have to try — the trick is sipping the boozy bevvy through the marshmallow webbing. Candy spider sprinkles complete the look.

Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Web Chocolate Cocktail Recipe

From: Heather Baird

Purple People Eater Gelatin Shots

Don't just add the classic tune to your Halloween playlist (you know the one!), whip up these cocktail cuties to make it part of your bar cart, as well. Each colorful (and potent!) shot features a color-coordinated and edible candy horn for extra cuteness.

Get the Recipe: Purple People Eater Gelatin Shots

From: Heather Baird

Dry Ice Safety Tips

Halloween cocktails plus dry ice may seem like a match made in spooky-sip heaven, but handling — or even worse, consuming — dry ice can cause serious burns. Host and sip safely this Halloween by following our dry ice safety tips, below.

Learn More: Learn How to Safely Use Dry Ice This Halloween

From: Sam Henderson

Mr. Hyde Potion

Unleash your Halloween guests' hidden wild side with this potent potable. Made with vodka, aromatic herbs and blackberry liqueur, it's frightfully refreshing.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Cocktail: Mr. Hyde Potion

From: Sam Henderson

Black Cherry Stinger

Stir up a drink fit for a femme fatale by adding black cherries to a classic Stinger cocktail. Garnish with a black widow spider pick and dark fresh cherries for a Halloweeny touch.

Get the Recipe: Black Cherry Stinger Cocktail Recipe

From: Heather Baird

Cachaça Zombie Cocktail

The favorite spirit of Brazil, cachaça is a flavorful stand-in for rum in this twist on the classic zombie cocktail. First created in 1934 by Donn Beach at his Don the Beachcomber restaurant, the zombie is often credited as kicking off the tiki cocktail craze. Serve your sinister sip in a zombiefied tiki mug to honor this potent potable's origins.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Sips: Cachaça Zombie Cocktail

Blood Orange Sangria

Perfect for any vampire's sinister soirée, we've given the classic sangria an extra fruity (and colorful) Halloween twist.

Get the Recipe: Sinister Sip: Blood Orange Sangria Recipe

From: Sam Henderson

Melted Witch Martini

Celebrate the witching hour by offering your guests this poisonous-looking potion. Add the candy witch broom to the glass just before serving to complete the spell.

Get the Recipe: Melted Witch Martini

From: Heather Baird

Turn Boxed Wine Into a Witch's Cauldron

Channel your inner spellcaster to create a magical wine-dispensing cauldron along with tastefully terrifying (and delicious!) liqueur-soaked fruit garnishes.

Get the How-To: Halloween Party Magic: Make a Wicked Wine Cauldron + Ghostly Garnishes

Caramel Apple Cocktail

Nothing says autumn like a sweet caramel apple. This cocktail is a grown-up take on a childhood fall favorite and can be served warm or chilled.

Get the Recipe: Seasonal Sip: Caramel Apple Cocktail

Morgue-A-Rita

A Halloween take on everyone's favorite summer sip, this colorful concoction includes the usual suspects: fresh lime juice, triple sec and tequila with a few additions for the spooky season.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Morgue-A-Rita Cocktail

From: Sam Henderson

Bloody Orange Cocktail

Plastic syringes (available at party stores) filled with fresh homemade raspberry syrup add a chilling (but delicious!) twist to this fruity cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Spirits: Bloody Orange Cocktail

From: Sam Henderson

Smokin' Skulls Shot

Dry ice chips give this sinister sip its signature vaporous effect while bourbon lends a smoky flavor. Serve in shot glasses — but allow dry ice to completely dissolve before drinking.

Get the Recipe: Smoking Skulls Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Brazilian 'Skull' Cocktail

Dubbed the Caveira (Portuguese for 'skull'), this coffee-based cocktail has a Dia de los Muertos spin that's potent enough to wake the dead.

Get the Recipe: The Caveira Cocktail

Witch's Brew Drink

Don't be fooled by this concoction's dark and mysterious color; this sinister sip is sweet and fruity with just enough tartness for balance.

Get the Recipe: Witch's Hat Cocktail

Classic Margaritas With a Candy Twist

Give a favorite childhood candy an adult twist by getting gummy worms drunk, then whipping up a tipsy worm's perfect match: a tasty, classic margarita.

Get the Recipe: Classic Margaritas With a Candy Twist

From: H. Camille Smith

Crazy Eye Cocktail

A crumbled cookie rim and a seriously spooky (yet delish!) garnish combine to make this tequila-infused sip one you'll want to savor.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Sips: Crazy Eye Cocktail

Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream — but a liberal shot of bourbon ensures this fall-flavored milkshake is an adults-only treat. Or, skip the booze and blend up a batch of non-alcoholic shakes for your favorite trick-or-treaters.

Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake Recipe

Warm Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Mocktail

Equally delish with or without alcohol, make a big batch of this warm cuppa so kids can also enjoy the non-alcoholic version while shaking off a cold-weather chill. For adults who wish to spike their cup, offer bourbon, whiskey or even rum to top off this flavorful fall favorite.

get the recipe: Warm Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Recipe

Champagne Poison Apple Cocktail

This vibrant green concoction has just the right amount of sweet and sour to please any wicked (or not-so-wicked) witch. A splash of bubbly gives it 'magic potion' appeal.

Get the Recipe: Poison Apple Cocktail

Black Devil Martini

Dark rum and a black olive garnish give this martini its midnight hue. Rim the glass with coarse orange sugar to dress it up for a Halloween party.

Get the Recipe: Black Devil Martini Recipe

Caramel Apple Sangria

Perfect for mixing up by the pitcherful, this sweet-meets-tart sip tastes just like your childhood favorite — with a boozy kick the adult you will appreciate.

get the recipe: Caramel Apple Sangria Recipe for Fall

Easy Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail

Liven up your fall gathering with this elegant spin on the classic champagne cocktail featuring apple cider and apple brandy. Pumpkin pie spice on the rim boosts this seasonal sip's fall flavor.

Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail

Black Magic Cocktail

Cast a spell over your Halloween party guests with this bewitching beverage that combines orange juice with black vodka and triple sec.

Get the Recipe: Black Magic Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Berry Scary Big-Batch Cocktail

Spicy cabernet sauvignon gets a sweet, fruity twist with the addition of raspberry liqueur, berry-flavored vodka and a hearty helping of fresh raspberries and blackberries. Stuff canned lychees with fresh blueberries for a spooky eyeball effect that you can add as a skewered garnish or float on the cocktail's surface.

Get the Recipe: The Creepy Cauldron Cocktail Your Halloween Party Needs

Black Widow Shot

Black vodka and cranberry juice give this shot its venomous bite. Rim the glass with red sugar crystals for an added touch.

Get the Recipe: Black Widow Halloween Shot Recipe

Zombie Slime Shooters

A blend of four liquors, this fruity cocktail goes down easy but packs a mighty wallop. Complement the drink's eerie green hue with red 'slime' you can easily make yourself with just corn syrup and red food coloring.

Get the Recipe: Zombie Slime Shooters Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Casa Crawler Cocktail

Blanco tequila, lemon juice and blueberry puree get their Halloween candy fix when joined by sour gummy worms and Pop Rocks in this sweet-meets-sour sip.

Get the Recipe: Halloween Sips: Casa Crawler Cocktail

Almond Joy Martini

Miss trick-or-treating days? This adults-only drink made from chocolate vodka, hazelnut liqueur and coconut rum tastes like an Almond Joy candy bar, but will give you more than just a sugar rush.

Get the Recipe: Almond Joy Martini Recipe

Blood Sucker Cocktail

To create this vampire-friendly cocktail, shake up triple sec, vodka and pineapple juice, then strain and pour into a glass. Drip strawberry or raspberry puree along the sides of the glass to add streams of 'blood.'

Get the Recipe: Blood Sucker Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Liquefied Ghost Cocktail

Your Halloween guests will die for a sip of this ghostly white cocktail that tastes like a grown-up milkshake. Mix vanilla simple syrup, cream, vodka and soda, then serve in a martini glass.

Get the Recipe: Liquefied Ghost Cocktail Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Punch

Summery sangria gets a flavorful fall update with pumpkin pie spice, bourbon and apple cider. Make a big batch to serve in a hollowed-out pumpkin for a pitch-perfect seasonal presentation.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Halloween Punch Recipe

Milky Way Martini

What would Halloween be without candy? This Milky Way martini combines coffee liqueur, chocolate vodka and cream for an adults-only version of the classic candy bar.

Get the Recipe: Milky Way Martini Recipe

Witch's Brew

Pull out your cauldron to scare up a batch of this party-perfect punch. Pineapple and cranberry juice give this drink its harvest-moon hue while a shot of Malibu rum lends a Caribbean kick.

Get the Recipe: Witches' Brew Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Zombie Cocktail

Like zombies themselves, this cocktail packs a powerful punch thanks to apricot brandy and three types of rum: light, dark and high-proof Bacardi 151. Grenadine and orange juice give the drink its lovely pumpkin hue. A few of these and you may indeed feel like the walking dead.

Get the Recipe: Zombie Cocktail Recipe

Bloody Brain Shooter

Channel your inner mad scientist to create this creepy-looking shooter. Add chilled vodka and lime juice to a shot glass, then use a straw to drip Irish cream on top. The acidic lime juice will cause the cream to curdle, creating realistic blobs of 'brain.'

Get the Recipe: Bloody Brain Shooter Recipe

Slow Cooker Sangria

For the haunted host with the most, this slow cooker fave lets you whip up a big-batch cocktail so your guests can serve themselves, freeing you up to mix and mingle. Keep it classic with a cinnamon stick and fruit garnishes or spook it up with Halloween-themed stirrers or creepy add-ins like lychee + blueberry eyeballs.

Get the Recipe: Warm Up With This Slow-Cooker Sangria Recipe

The Brain Cocktail

For a simpler, fruitier take on the Bloody Brain Shooter, pour peach schnapps into a glass and top with Irish cream for a blood-curdling presentation. For extra gore, top with a dash of blood-red grenadine.

Get the Recipe: The Brain Cocktail Recipe

Vampire Cocktail

This dessert-worthy combination of vanilla ice cream, triple sec and white crème de cacao is deliciously disgusting, thanks to drizzles of blood-red grenadine down the sides of the glass.

Get the Recipe: Vampire Cocktail Recipe

Jack-O'-Lantern Cocktail

Cognac, Grand Marnier and orange juice give this sweet sippable an unexpected kick.

Get the Recipe: Jack-o'-Lantern Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Cemetery Punch Mocktail

Kids will flip for this gross-looking punch. Since little ghouls and goblins will likely be pumped up on sugar from trick-or-treat bags, diet root beer and frozen yogurt won't add to the impact.

Get the Recipe: Nonalcoholic Cemetery Slime Punch Recipe

Apple Cider + Brandy Cocktail

Who said all Halloween cocktails must have a spine-tingling twist? Sometimes, you just want to toast to the classics — and this classic is a fall favorite for all the right reasons. With maple syrup, apple cider and brandy, it combines the best flavors of autumn in a single seasonal sip.

Get the Recipe: Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail

Vesper Martini

Made famous by super-spy James Bond, this chilling recipe, named for 007's deceased love, is sure to give you the vapors.

Get the Recipe: Vesper Martini

Blood Orange Hot Toddy

Available from late fall till early spring, blood oranges are a tasty way to lend a ghastly hue to everyday cocktails, like a classic hot toddy.

get the recipe: Blood Orange Hot Toddy

Midnight Margarita

It's hard to deny how hot charcoal is these days: an ingredient in everything from face masks to black hamburger buns. Bring this trendy ingredient to your Halloween cocktail with our recipe for an inky-black bevvy, below.

get the recipe: Colorful Cocktails Are a Hot Food (and Design) Trend

From: Sam Henderson

Sprinkle on Sparkly Garnish

Could your go-to cocktail recipe use a touch of magic? Try some sweet and glittery rimming sugars that come in an array of colors and shapes.

50 Scary-Good Halloween Cocktails

Related To:

Shop This Look

Potent Potables

Monster Bourbon Smash Cocktail

Butter Beer

Dia de los Muertos Mule

Toxic Shock Gelatin Shots

Marshmallow Web Chocolate Cocktail

Purple People Eater Gelatin Shots

Dry Ice Safety Tips

Mr. Hyde Potion

Black Cherry Stinger

Cachaça Zombie Cocktail

Blood Orange Sangria

Melted Witch Martini

Turn Boxed Wine Into a Witch's Cauldron

Caramel Apple Cocktail

Morgue-A-Rita

Bloody Orange Cocktail

Smokin' Skulls Shot

Brazilian 'Skull' Cocktail

Witch's Brew Drink

Classic Margaritas With a Candy Twist

Crazy Eye Cocktail

Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Warm Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Mocktail

Champagne Poison Apple Cocktail

Black Devil Martini

Caramel Apple Sangria

Easy Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail

Black Magic Cocktail

Berry Scary Big-Batch Cocktail

Black Widow Shot

Zombie Slime Shooters

Casa Crawler Cocktail

Almond Joy Martini

Blood Sucker Cocktail

Liquefied Ghost Cocktail

Pumpkin Spice Punch

Milky Way Martini

Witch's Brew

Zombie Cocktail

Bloody Brain Shooter

Slow Cooker Sangria

The Brain Cocktail

Vampire Cocktail

Jack-O'-Lantern Cocktail

Cemetery Punch Mocktail

Apple Cider + Brandy Cocktail

Vesper Martini

Blood Orange Hot Toddy

Midnight Margarita

Sprinkle on Sparkly Garnish

More from:

Halloween Ideas

Smoking Skulls Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Black Magic Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Zombie Slime Shooters Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Jack-o'-Lantern Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Marshmallow Web Chocolate Cocktail Recipe

Halloween Shimmering Cherry Mocktail or Cocktail Recipe

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