Scary-good drinks for a happy Halloween: BOOzy Brews

Halloween is not for the bashful, and neither are its cocktails. But just like a great costume, a thoughtfully themed drink has a way of stealing the spotlight. Vampire Kisses, anyone? How about a Green Goblin? Or maybe a Dark ’N’ Stormy’s more your brew. Whatever your poison, there’s one thing no cocktail should be without. And that’s a cab home. Have a happy and safe Halloween, everyone. And please drink responsibly!

Green Goblin—Don’t be fooled. This goblin is sweet but will definitely creep up on you. To make one, start with a cocktail shaker filled with ice. To it, add 1 ounce each of vodka, coconut rum, peach schnapps, sour apple liqueur and prepared sweet-and-sour mix. Secure the lid, and shake until frosty. Strain into a tall glass, top with ginger ale and garnish with a wedge of lime and a gummy worm. Sip s-l-o-w-l-y.

Blood Orange Margarita—The acidity of a blood orange is magic in a margarita. Sweet, tart and too easy to keep making. To the pitcher, add 2 cups freshly squeezed blood-orange juice, 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 1/2 cups Cointreau and 1 1/2 cups silver tequila. Stir, and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, add ice to the pitcher and strain the mixture into margarita glasses rimmed with salt. Garnish with a slice of blood orange and a sprig of fresh sage. Delicious.

Dark ’N’ Stormy—If you like a Moscow Mule, you’ll love a Dark ’N’ Stormy. Making one couldn’t be easier. Add ice and a generous ounce of your favourite dark rum to a tall glass or copper cup. Next, slowly pour in a cold ginger beer, and finish with a big squeeze of lime juice. Stir gently to combine, and sip away. A perfect cocktail for a Halloween night.

Vampire’s Kiss—At last, a boozy kiss with no regrets! This tempting cocktail starts with a shaker filled with ice. To it, add 2 ounces raspberry vodka (or orange twist vodka), 1 ounce black raspberry liqueur (Chambord raspberry liqueur), 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice and 1 ounce pomegranate juice. Secure the lid, shake like you mean it. Strain into a highball glass, and garnish with a black liquorice swizzle stick.

Bloody Mary—A classic cocktail anytime, but particularly en pointe for Halloween. This version starts with a tall glass filled with ice. To it, add 2 ounces of tomato juice, 1 1/2 ounces of your favourite vodka, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp freshly grated horseradish, a dash of Tabasco, a pinch of celery salt and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice. Stir (and garnish) with a stalk of celery and finish with a pickled bean. If mixing drinks all night isn’t your trick (or treat), set up a Bloody Mary station where guests can customize their own drinks. Think pickled beans, hot sauce, seasoned salts and, of course, bacon swizzle sticks.

Lemon Blackcurrant Punch—Every Halloween party needs a bowl of punch—a nod, of sorts, to bobbing for apples. For this tasty brew, start with a large pitcher. To it, add 1 1/2 cups brandy, 1/3 cup simple syrup, 4 cups blackcurrant juice and the juice of 2 lemons. Place in the fridge to chill. Just before serving, pour the mixture into a punch bowl, and add 1 1/2 cups cold club soda. Mix, and ladle into ice-filled glasses. For a spooky touch, freeze plastic spiders in ice cube trays filled with blackcurrant juice, and float them in the punch bowl.

Bride of Frankenstein Champagne -Cocktail—As you might expect, this Champagne cocktail is elegant. To the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add 1 tablespoon blackberry jam and 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup. Stir until combined, and top with ice. Next, add 1 1/2 ounces vodka and a scant 1/2 ounce of raspberry liqueur (Chambord raspberry liqueur). Secure the lid, shake until frosty. Strain into a champagne glass, and top with a generous pour of Champagne or Prosecco. To garnish, spear 3 blackberries on a cocktail pick, and rest it atop the glass. Beautiful! t8n

Ghoulish Garnishes

Halloween cocktails all but beg for a ghoulish garnish. Here are a few easy finds to add to a glass or spear on a cocktail pick.

Whipped cream topped with candy corn

Wedges of apple dipped in caramel

Frozen black and green grapes (as ice cubes)

Glow sticks for the bottom of the ice bucket
or drink cooler (but never in the drinks!)

Marshmallow ghosts (Peeps)

Black liquorice swizzle sticks

Gummy worms