20 best Halloween cocktails

All Hallows' Eve, the 31st October, is spook night with bizarre costumes, trick-or-treat, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and bonfires all the rage. Such Halloween traditions have old roots and are worthy of celebrating. We'll be marking the occasion with a Halloween cocktail or three from the 20 suitably named libations below.

Bat Bite
With: Light rum, raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice.
We say: All too easy – light and fruity, lightly fortified with rum character.

Beetle Jeuse
With: Mint leaves, green Chartreuse, bison grass vodka, apple juice and passion fruit syrup.
We say: Long and refreshing with a flavour reminiscent of caramelised apple.

Bitches Brew
With: Blanc rhum agricole, light rum, lime juice, pimento dram liqueur, demerara sugar syrup and egg.
We say: This flavoursome flip-style drink comes served with a hint of Caribbean spice.

Black Daiquiri
With: Dark blended rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice and sugar syrup.
We say: More golden than black in appearance, this Daiquiri takes its name from the black rum (well dark brown rum) it's made from. Pungent rum notes sit well with zingy citrus.

Black Magic
With: Amaro, scotch, banana liqueur and saline solution.
We say: A balanced and tasty boundary-pushing recipe.

Blood & Sand
With: Scotch, cherry brandy liqueur, sweet vermouth, Islay Scotch whisky and orange juice.
We say: This formula is dry and fresh.

Clairvoyant
With: Fino sherry, dry vermouth, hazelnut liqueur and orange bitters.
We say: A hazelnut flavoured variation on the classic Coronation Cocktail.

Corpse Reviver No.2
With: Dry gin, triple sec, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, sugar syrup and absinthe.
We say: Well-balanced with zesty lemon and absinthe just shining through.

Dark 'N' Stormy
With: Dark rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, Angostura bitters and ginger beer.
We say: A Daiquiri made with pungent dark rum, topped and made refreshing with spicy ginger beer. Part of the Mule family – but is distinctive due to the strong flavour of the dark rum.

Death in the Afternoon
With: Absinthe, sugar syrup and champagne.
We say: Bravado (absinthe) dominates this drink, alongside hints of biscuity champagne. We added a touch of sugar to tame this hardman's cocktail.

Devil's Share
With: Ginger, bourbon, orange juice, lemon juice and maple syrup.
We say: Ginger, bourbon and lemon makes for a spicy and tasty little devil.

El Diablo Cocktail
With: Reposado tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and ginger beer.
We say: The tequila, rich red berry fruit, lime and ginger aren't exactly a subtle combination but it is one that has proved both popular and enduring.

Enchanted Field Cocktail
With: Rye whiskey, Strega, orange juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Boozy spicy rye and citrus with minty, menthol, vanilla and pinty freshness from a generous slug of Strega liqueur.

Hocus Pocus
With: Dry gin, Antica Formula, curaçao and fernet.
We say: Bittersweet with gin's botanical complexity and orange zest freshness.

Obituary cocktail
With: Dry gin, dry vermouth and absinthe.
We say: What a way to go. A Dry Martini with a dash of the green fairy.

Screaming Banana Banshee
With: Vodka, banana liqueur, white crème de cacao, single cream, milk and banana.
We say: An alcoholic banana and chocolate milkshake – not too sweet.

Vampiro
With: Reposado tequila, tomato juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine syrup, hot pepper sauce, salt and black pepper.
We say: Something of a supercharged Bloody Maria with a hint of sweet grenadine.

Witches' Daiquiri
With: Light rum, Strega, orgeat syrup, lemon juice and orange juice.
We say: Aniseed, sweet almond and delicate spice subtly influence this tasty Daiquiri.

Witch Hunt Cocktail
With: Scotch whisky, dry vermouth and Strega.
We say: This boozy after-dinner sipper of a cocktail is also good, and considerably lighter, with the dilution that comes with serving over crushed ice.

Zombie
With: Overproof pot still rum, light rum, overproof aged rum, falernum liqueur, Pernod anise, pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice and grenadine syrup.
We say: Powerful funky rum and delicate cinnamon spice partially tamed by rich fruit and sweetened clove.
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