Gift Edit
The full tequila spirit guide
No matter how you Halloween, there’s a cocktail for that
THIS CONTENT IS POWERED BY: VINEPAIR
WORDS: Tony Sachs, Vinepair Editor
WORDS: Tony Sachs, Vinepair Editor
ILLUSTRATION: Danielle Grinberg
We all have our Halloween vibe of choice, from spooky to scary to sexy, and all points in between. This Halloween, why not embrace that vibe in cocktail form? These libations all have a seasonal twist and a specific theme, but they’ll taste as good in April as they do in October.
FOR THOSE JUST HERE FOR THE CANDY
Whiskey Sour Gummy
Who doesn’t love a day of the year that not only permits gorging on candy but encourages it? You can enjoy this Whiskey Sour Gummy while also indulging your sweet tooth – or in this case, perhaps it’s your sweet and sour tooth?
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
0.75 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
1 Egg White (Optional)
Sour Gummy Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white (optional) in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds until blended and cold.
3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with sour gummies, either on a toothpick or floating free in the glass.
Serves 1
FOR HOSTING A HORROR MOVIE NIGHT
Black Margarita
Jack-o-lanterns, skeletons and a horror movie or two are all required fixtures of a Halloween party, but to really up your hosting cred, you need a cocktail that looks spooky and tastes delicious. That’s where this terrifyingly tasty tequila drink, the Black Margarita, comes in.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Orange Liqueur
0.5 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
6-8 Blackberries
Red, Blue and Green Food Coloring (Optional)
Lime Wheel Garnish (Optional)
Instructions
1. Muddle blackberries in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, along with plenty of ice.
3. If you want to make it darker still, add several drops of the red, green and blue food coloring.
4. Shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds until blended and cold.
5. Strain into a margarita glass and float the lime wheel to garnish.
Serves 1
FOR THOSE WHO GET IN THE SPOOKY SPIRIT
Vampire's Blood & Sand Cocktail
We all have our spooky side, and what better time of year to run wild with it? So lean into those vampire vibes with a Vampire's Blood & Sand Cocktail that’s delicious any day of the year, but especially on Halloween. Its delightfully red color makes it the ultimate drink for Draculas-in-training.
Ingredients
0.75 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky
0.75 oz. Sweet Vermouth
0.75 oz. Cherry Brandy
0.75 oz. Orange Juice, Preferably Fresh-Squeezed
Orange Peel Twist Garnish
Plastic Spider Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine whisky, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth and orange juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds until blended and cold and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist and plastic spiders.
Serves 1
FOR A SMOKING HOT COSTUME
Smoking Hot Whiskey Mule
Whether you’re donning a catsuit or chaps or dressed as a sultry nurse, some of us just want to look hot on All Hallow’s Eve. This decidedly adult Smoking Hot Whiskey Mule will complement that sexy look – and it tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Crown Royal Fine Deluxe Blended Canadian Whisky
0.75 oz. Apple Juice or Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
3-4 oz. Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer
1 Cinnamon Stick
Apple Slice Garnish
Instructions
1. Light the cinnamon stick so it starts smoking and set aside on a heat-proof surface.
2. Place a large rocks glass over the stick and allow to infuse for 3 minutes.
3. Once finished, turn the glass over and add a single large ice cube.
4. Add the whisky and apple juice/cider and top off with ginger beer/ale.
5. Garnish with apple slice(s) and place the cinnamon stick on the rim or in the glass with the smoking end sticking out.
Serves 1
FOR STAYING IN
The Classic Martini
Whether you’re donning a catsuit or chaps or dressed as a sultry nurse, some of us just want to look hot on All Hallow’s Eve. This decidedly adult Smoking Hot Whiskey Mule will complement that sexy look – and it tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin or Ketel One Vodka
0.5 oz. Dry Vermouth for Gin or 0.25 oz. for Vodka
Dash Orange Bitters (for gin, optional)
Lemon Peel Twist Garnish or Olive Garnish
Instructions
1. Chill a martini glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
2. Combine gin or vodka, vermouth and orange bitters (optional) in a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Stir well for about a minute until the mixture is diluted and cold.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon peel twist or olives.
Serves 1
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