Halloween Cocktails

It’s not too early to be thinking about Halloween. The crisp cool air has finally announced autumn has arrived. Here are some ideas of some fun cocktails to serve at your Halloween party. The recipes are courtesy of Martin Miller’s Gin. Masks optional.

Bloody Scream Cocktail
Also known as a Red Snapper, this is a variation of a Bloody Mary made with gin. But on Halloween night, it’s a Bloody Scream!

2 ounces gin
2/3 cup top-quality tomato juice
Juice of half a lemon
5 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
5 dashes of hot pepper sauce
Healthy splash of red wine
Black pepper and celery salt to taste
Build in a cocktail shaker, stir and pour into a an ice-filled collins glass
Garnish with a celery stalk

Ghost Cocktail
During the rest of the year, this cocktail is known as a White Lady.

1 shot gin
1 shot Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1 shot fresh lemon juice
Dash egg white
Shake the ingredients with ice
and strain into a martini glass
Garnish with lemon peel

Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail
This cocktail actually is called Satan’s Whiskers!

1½ shots gin
1 shot sweet vermouth
1 shot fresh orange juice
1 bar spoon of Cointreau or other orange liqueur
Dash of orange bitters
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass
Garnish with an orange twist (the whisker)
If you have lychees, drop one on the bottom of the glass (Satan’s eyeball)

Swamp Demon
This is a gimlet to which lime marmalade is added, giving it a “swampy” effect.

2 shots gin
½ shot fresh lime juice
½ shot simple syrup
1 bar spoon lime marmalade
Shake all of the ingredients vigorously with ice, until ice cold; and strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with lime zest

Witches’ Brew
This is a mulled toddy—but who’s to say what those crones were really bubbling up in those cauldrons? Perhaps “eye of newt” was code for allspice.

1 ounce gin
3 ounces Merlot
1 ounce LBV Port
1 bar spoon sugar
Heat ingredients gently over low flame; do not boil
Serve in glass mug
Garnish with lemon and orange slices and a cinnamon stick