20 best Halloween cocktails

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

Ghost of Smokey Joe
With: Rye whiskey, dry vermouth, Bénédictine, absinthe, aromatic bitters, and peated whisky.
We say: Herbal notes shine, fortified with rye whiskey. Smoke is courtesy of peated whisky and the garnish.

Black Widow's Bite
With: Vodka, blue curaçao, orange juice, and orange bitters.
We say: A Screwdriver blued (not quite blackened) by blue curaçao.

Spooky Tini
With: Bourbon, Irish cream liqueur, popcorn syrup, and cream.
We say: Popcorn-infused creamy whiskey. An indulgent Halloween crowd-pleaser.

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.

Pumpkin Spice Latte (alcohol free)
With: Espresso coffee, pumpkin spice syrup, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream.
We say: Very creamy, a little sweet, and a Halloween treat.

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.

Green Ghost
With: Gin, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
We say: This ghost is not a too distant relation to the Last Word.

Devil's Margarita
With: Blanco tequila, lime juice, sugar syrup, and red wine.
We say: Actually, a Tequila Sour rather than a Margarita but still a devilishly good drink.

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.

Pumpkin Daiquiri
With: Gold rum, lime juice, and pumpkin spice syrup.
We say: Pumpkin spice syrup works surprisingly brilliantly in an otherwise classic Daiquiri.

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.

Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
With: Bourbon, rye whiskey, pumpkin spice syrup, orange bitters, and aromatic bitters.
We say: Make to your taste by varying the amount of headline pumpkin spice syrup.

Pink Witch
With: Gin, Strega liqueur, and pink grapefruit juice.
We say: How pink this witch will be is dependent on your grapefruit juice.

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.

Witches' Flight
With: Bourbon, Strega liqueur, amaro, and lemon juice.
We say: The sugar rim is a key to the success of this after-dinner cocktail.

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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