Americans love Halloween, and we take it seriously (like, turn an entire bar into Moe’s Tavern, seriously). It’s a great opportunity for savvy operators to start the holiday season early and pull in some extra revenue. This year, consumer spending is expected to reach an all-time high for Halloween, topping $10 billion in expenditure. That means your customers are primed and ready to spend on a big Halloween night out – especially if you’ve got something special to draw them in.
If you don’t already have creative Halloween-themed cocktails, it’s not too late to pull something together (though you may need a few props). Check out these eight Halloween-inspired cocktails and easy recipes, practically guaranteed to pull in a frighteningly large crowd.
“The Oddball”
Inspired by his first taste of peanut butter whiskey, @CocktailsbyAdam created “The Oddball” – an ode to that favorite childhood snack, ants on a log. It’s a refreshing, low-ABV cocktail that will hit you right in the nostalgia. Find the full recipe on his page.
READ MORE: This Texas Dive Bar Makes $13,000 a Day as ‘Moe’s Tavern’
“Ms. Adair’s Liquid Remedy”
@TheCocktailBandits have done it again, with this scary good cocktail. Made with gin, apple juice, Earl Grey tea, cardamom syrup, and a few other magic ingredients, it’s perfect for a chill autumn night, long after Halloween has gone. Find the full recipe on their page. Johnny and Neka spoke at our 2021 Bar & Restaurant Expo (formerly Nightclub & Bar Show) conference – keep an eye out to see what they’re doing this year!
“Purple People Eater”
Bring together berries, almond and lavender flavors for a potion that’s wickedly good for Halloween. Inspired by the classic Halloween song, @Mixwithmarie blended Blue Nectar Tequila, cherry almond simple syrup, a lavender infusion and this creative garnish to bring the ‘monster’ to life. You can find the full recipe (and plenty more!) on her page.
“Bleeding Heart Sangria”
Lucky Bastard Distillers, the first distillery to operate in Saskatoon since Prohibition, made this eerie, bloody beautiful drink with some of their spiced honey apple liqueur, berry liqueur a bit of soda and some juice. You can find the full recipe on their page – it’s an easy one to put together, if you’ve got the guts.
READ MORE: Here’s Why Tea Needs to be on Your Menu
Black Widow
The Spice & Tea Exchange relied on tea, spice and everything nice to create this smoking brooding tipple. Made with berry tea, cinnamon plum tea, raspberry sugar, a splash of rum and a hint of triple sec, the Black Widow cocktail is dark, spooky and sweet – the perfect Halloween cocktail. Find the full recipe here. And find more reasons to be using tea in your cocktail program here.
Matcha Coconut Mezcal-Rita
@Liqculture went back into the archives for this green goodie. The drink gets it’s ooegy gooey hue from matcha powder, which is combined with coconut water and agave to make a quick simple syrup. The trick to the thick, dripping rim? Icing sugar! You just need some icing sugar, green food colouring and a few drops of water – you can find detailed instructions here.
READ MORE: Matcha Market Revenue to Hit $5.5 Billion by 2027
“Pushing Up Daisies”
The Honu in Dunedin, Florida has a host of creative cocktails for this spooky season, but we’re partial to the “Pushing Up Daisies”. Made with vodka, Blue Curacao, lemon, grenadine and cranberry juice, garnished with a slice of citrus and a skeletal hand for a Halloween twist.
“Witch, Please”
Chef Kevin Des Chenes sent this playful, green beauty through. Combine 1.5 oz KEEL Vodka, ½ tsp of matcha, 2 oz pineapple juice, .5 oz lime juice and .5 oz agave syrup, shake and serve over ice. @Chefkevd1 is one of our Food & Beverage Innovation Center chefs, and you can find him behind the pass at our 2022 Bar & Restaurant Expo.
Early bird registration for Bar & Restaurant Expo 2022 (formerly Nightclub & Bar Show) opens soon. Click here to be one of the first to know when registration opens.
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