Once you’ve dreamed up an inventive Halloween costume idea and bought a few bags of candy, it’s time to move on to menu planning. Whether you’re switching off the porch light early and enjoying a quiet night in, prepping your kids for neighborhood trick-or-treating or hosting a spooky bash for all of your friends, we have the perfect Halloween cocktail or mocktail for you.
There’s a devilish drink here for everyone. There are plenty of kid-friendly drinks in this lineup, and we’re confident that each is just as sweet as their favorite Halloween candy. Fruity sherbet shakes are perfect for scooping or sipping; candy corn mocktails are easily mistaken for the real thing; and alcohol-free Jello shots are infested with creepy crawler gummies. Take our word for it — these festive drinks will create core holiday memories for kids of all ages.
But fear not — the young ones don’t get to have all of the fun this year. We have included plenty of boozy beverage options for the grown-ups, too. These include cocktails that are both shaken and stirred, from a witchy spicy margarita to a simple spiced cider served in a hollowed-out gourd. And if any of the kid-centric drinks appeal to you, you can always spike your glass with a shot of alcohol — vodka works pretty seamlessly across the board, but dark spirits such as bourbon or rye are delicious additions to any pumpkin and apple-flavored beverages.
Whether you serve these drinks in a themed cauldron or disposable party cups, your guests will be in for a treat (after the tricks, of course).
Let the festivities begin!
Candy Corn Milkshake by Vanessa Price
Whether you want to call this a mocktail or dessert, these fruity milkshakes are made by layering pineapple and orange sherbets with vanilla ice cream to mimic the pattern of candy corn. Food coloring is optional, but it will help saturate the color of the sorbet for Halloween.
Frankenstein’s Grog by Vanessa Price
Grog is a diluted rum drink that dates back to the 18th century, but this modern twist on the classic is perfectly family-friendly. Garnish glasses of the neon green punch with gummy body parts to make it extra festive.
Pumpkin Punch by Vanessa Price
You’ll need some refreshment after a day of pumpkin or apple picking. Hollow out one of those well-earned pumpkins to create a punch bowl for homemade spiced cider.
Witches’ Brew Margarita by Vanessa Price
You’re in for a fun night with this spooky take on a classic margarita. A mixture of tequila, triple sec and lime juice turns pitch black, thanks to a touch of edible black luster dust. Use some of that glitter on the sea salt rim, too.
Smoking Spicy Potion by Hannah Hart
This spooky concoction is as simple as it is delicious. Cherry or hibiscus syrup adds a festive color and some sweetness, which offsets the smokiness of the mezcal.
Apple Cider Margarita by Katie Stilo
These margaritas are subtly sweet, thanks to an apple cider reduction. Make a big batch by combining the cider syrup, tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice in a pitcher so you’re ready to pour out tall glasses for guests.
Concord Grape Sangria by Katie Stilo
This sangria is totally on-theme, both in terms of seasonality and overall color. The purple-hued cocktail is made with dry white wine, Concord grape juice, fresh orange juice, orange liqueur and spiced rum liqueur.
Bourbon Candy Bar Milkshakes by Katie Stilo
Would you believe us if we told you these milkshakes were made with homemade ice cream and still come together in about five minutes? Mix some Halloween candy pieces into a whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk mixture and pour into chilled glasses. For the adult party-goers, add a splash or two of bourbon.
Frankenstein Fizz by Katie Stilo
We can imagine the science behind creating Frankenstein’s monster was complicated, but this namesake cocktail is anything but. Simple inject glasses of sparkling Prosecco with syringes full of sour apple liqueur and sip away.
Witches’ Brew Punch by Katie Stilo
This three-ingredient punch starts with store-bought fruit punch and lemon-lime soda. In addition to adding sweetness, flavor and color to this punch, rainbow sherbet also helps keep the punch chilled throughout the evening. For an adults-only version, mix in some of your favorite fruity liqueur.
Something Blue Cocktail by Kristen Tomlan, founder of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
There’s nothing to be blue about with one of these cocktails in hand. Tequila, fresh lime juice and lime-flavored sparkling water form the base of the margarita, and blue Curaçao turns the mixture into a blue lagoon.
Magic Love Potion by Kristen Tomlan, founder of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
What better day to cast a love spell than on Halloween? This twist on a French 75 turns purple right before your eyes, thanks to lavender-hued gin.
Harvest Sangria by Rob Floyd
Here, sangria takes an autumnal turn with the addition of cinnamon simple syrup. Red wine and bourbon both have a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the spiced syrup. Garnish each glass with some fresh berries and citrus slices.
Spooky Sherbet Punch by Siri Daly
If you’re looking for one more thing to round out the kids’ party menu, look no further than this sherbet punch. The kids will love fishing out the gummy worms that float throughout.
What Happens in Vegas Mocktail by Kristen Tomlan, founder of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
What happens at the Halloween party stays at the Halloween party, which means you can enjoy something as decadent as cotton candy on top of your mocktail. Style your favorite non-alcoholic aperitivo with Pop Rocks candy and colorful spun sugar before topping off the glasses with non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Elvis Elixir by Kristen Tomlan, founder of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
Whether you want to call this a drink or dessert (or both), it’s delicious and celebratory either way. It combines all of Elvis’s favorites — peanut butter, bananas and bacon — and turns them into a decadent sippable shake.
Halloween Vampire Cranberry Cocktail by Elizabeth Heiskell
No blood suckers here — just cranberry juice! Top these cranberry martinis off with a splash of bubbly ginger ale or sparkling wine, if you’re feeling festive.
Gummy Worm Shooter by Elizabeth Heiskell
The creepy crawlers wiggling out of these Jello shots make them ideal for your next Halloween party. Lime-flavored gelatin has a murky color that’s perfect for the spooky holiday.
Skittles Slushies by Carrie Parente
When you take a sip of one of these colorful slushies, you’re sure to taste the rainbow. Infuse the fruity candies into simple syrup, then blend with fresh lemon juice and ice to create fun slushies.
Slow-Cooker Spiced Halloween Punch by Maggie Shi
This blood-red punch is a great make-ahead idea for your next monster mash. Simply combine cranberry juice cocktail, pomegranate juice and lemonade in a slow-cooker with blood orange slices and plenty of warming spices to make this delicious new take on mulled cider.
Witches’ Cauldron Punch by Elise Strachan
This fruity punch has a bit of a tropical flair — the lemon and lime flavors are joined by pineapple juice. Serve with dry ice to create an even spookier effect.
Spooky Punch by Elena Besser
Edible eyeballs are a surefire way to make sure everyone remembers how much fun they had at your Halloween party. Stuff canned lychee fruits with blueberries or Luxardo cherries and send them afloat in the punch bowl.
Witches’ Brew Cocktail by Billy Dec
Double, double, toil and trouble — this drink is so good, that you’ll want to make it a double. A touch of matcha powder turns the tropical gin-based drink into something that resembles murky waters.
Eye Candy Cocktail by Billy Dec
Lychee fruit finds its way into this cocktail in two places. Lychee purée is mixed into the vodka and elderflower drink while the fruit is used as a sinister eyeball garnish.
Vampire Slushy Punch by Nikki Pechet
When the thought of basic party punch starts to feel stale, turn that fruity drink into a frosty cocktail. You can make some fun swizzle sticks by sketching eyeballs onto ping pong balls and threading them into straws.
Piña Ghouladas by Maureen Petrosky
This summery cocktail is usually enjoyed beachside, but it’s a welcome, refreshing addition to the Halloween cocktail menu. Use food coloring to transform lychee fruit into an edible eyeball garnish.
Haunting Mules by Maureen Petrosky
The smoky effect from dry ice matches the deep, smoky flavor from the rye whiskey. Garnish each glass with seasonal ingredients, such as thinly sliced apples, candied ginger and rosemary sprigs.
Pumpkin Pie Shots by Nikki Pechet
Think of these boozy shots as a teaser for the pumpkin pie to come at Thanksgiving. RumChata, caramel-infused vodka and pumpkin spice liqueur fill each sugar-rimmed shot glass for a seasonal sipper.
Fire and Brimstone Cocktails by Maureen Petrosky
This big-batch spiced apple cider can be made in the slow-cooker and kept warm until the party gets started. The cider is spiked with cinnamon whiskey and flavored with apples and oranges.
Jenna After Dark Cocktail by Tiffanie Barriere
If you like a little heat in your cocktail, you’ll love this sweet and spicy drink. The spiciness comes from fresh jalapeños and pepper jelly, which gives the drink an interesting texture.
Pumpkin Keg with Witches’ Brew Cocktail by TODAY
This year, turn your trophy from the pumpkin patch into a handmade keg for your Halloween party. A combination of pumpkin spice vodka, apple cider and club soda is just the thing to fill up the cavity of the pumpkin — serving it in the gourd will only enhance the pumpkin flavor!
Vampire’s Elixir by Billy Dec
Cherry gastrique is a sweet and acidic syrup made with cherries and vinegar, so it adds a unique flavor profile to this bourbon-based drink. In a pinch, tint a flavored simple syrup of your choice with red food coloring.
Dark & Stormy by Nikki Pechet
This classic cocktail recipe takes an even moodier turn for Halloween. A gin, pomegranate and lemon mixture is sweetened with homemade simple syrup and served in a darkened sugar rim.
Revenge Dress Cocktail by Ariana Madix
Modeled after a killer red revenge dress, this fresh and fun cocktail can be made for all kinds of holidays. You can make the strawberry-infused Campari up to a month ahead of time so the drinks are ready to mix and serve on Halloween.
Blood-Moon Punch by Martha Stewart
One way to throw an unforgettable party is to serve a crowd-pleasing cocktail. Here, a frozen orange juice full moon floats in a non-alcoholic grape and ginger soda punch.
Halloween Smash Cocktail by Maureen Petrosky
While you’re dancing to the Monster Mash, go ahead and enjoy a glass of this Halloween Smash. All you need is four basic ingredients — vodka, fresh clementine juice, orange seltzer and simple syrup.
All Hallows’ Cocktail by Maureen Petrosky
Coco-Lada is a cold-brewed black tea concentrate that’s flavored with pineapple and chai spices. When paired with mezcal, it makes for a spicier, smokier and more tropical version of a margarita.
Eyeball Milkshakes by Elise Strachan
Everyone loves creepy decorations at Halloween, and your guests will go crazy for the kitschy candy eyeballs that adorn these frosty milkshakes. The chocolate and vanilla shakes are finished with bloody drips of strawberry syrup.
Trick-or-Treat Quakes by Christina Tosi
If you have some ice cream in your freezer and your kids are willing to part with a handful of their Halloween candy, you can whip up these festive shakes in no time. Just pulse the ice cream and candy in a blender, thinning out with some milk or cream if you want a more sippable drink.
Candy Corn Cocktail by Nikki Pechet
If there’s a cuter Halloween cocktail around, we’d love to see it. The layers of this candy corn-inspired sip are made with lemon gelatin, bubbly orange soda and sweetened whipped cream.
Smoking Blackberry Margarita by Nikki Pechet
The caramelized flavor of maple syrup is all the sweetness you need to make these blackberry margaritas. Some fresh sage is muddled with the berries, which brings out its fragrant, earthy aroma.
Snickers Milkshake by Brandi Milloy
Snickers are one of the most beloved candy bars of all time. Inspired by the popular Halloween candy, vanilla and chocolate ice creams, caramel sauce and salted peanuts are blended into a milkshake that will satisfy every Snickers lover.
Jell-O Eyeball Shots by Elizabeth Heiskell
You can make edible eyeballs out of lychee or you can opt for a gummy candy instead. Here, the candy adds a burst of sweetness to these white grape and ginger gelatin shots.
Devilish Margarita by Maureen Petrosky
Santa hasn’t made his naughty or nice list yet, so this cocktail is for everyone as far as we’re concerned. Garnish each spicy margarita with a pair of red chile Devil horns.
Skittles Milkshake by Brandi Milloy
Pick your favorite Skittles color and make a candy-infused simple syrup to blitz into simple vanilla bean milkshakes. The sugar crash will be well worth it.
Sparkling Green Apple Sangria by Maureen Petrosky
This bourbon-spiked sangria is both comforting and refreshing. As the apple matchsticks soak up the cider and apple bourbon, they turn into a boozy post-drink snack.
Classic 19th Century New York Sour by Tim Sweeney
You can’t go wrong with serving a traditional cocktail, especially for adults-only parties. Nothing says “classic” like a New York Sour. Each lemony bourbon drink is topped with a red wine floater — carefully pour the wine over the rounded back of a spoon to create an even layer.
Bourbon Sidecar by Siri Daly
Traditional sidecars are usually made with Cognac, a fermented grape brandy. Bourbon adds a more robust flavor to the simple drink that makes it appropriate for fall entertaining.
Heidi Klum’s Black Magic-rita by Heidi Klum and Patrón
Despite its name, there’s nothing nefarious about these margaritas. The ruby red color comes from blackberry syrup, which is also used to make a thick syrup you can use to create decorative spider webs for garnish.
Warm Caramel Apple Cocktail by Maureen Petrosky
Mulled cider meets campfire marshmallows in this sweet apple, rum and caramel drink. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a Halloween party on a cold autumn night.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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