Once every year I become someone I’m not.
Halloween is my excuse to dress up in costume. I’ve shown up at costume parties as Amy Winehouse, a 20s flapper, zombie prom queen, scarecrow, 80s chick, and queen bee. But you know what? The fang-tastic holiday will remain one of my favorite celebrations dating all the way back to my first clown costume in the kindergarten classroom party. Shout out to mom who set the bar high by sewing or helping me create my costumes from a young age.
Of course, this year’s costume is super secret until Halloween night. We won Best Costumed Couple last year as the beekeeper, queen bear, and baby bee (our dog) so the expectation for our costumes this year is intense.
Since I dress up myself and my house, of course I would dress up my Halloween themed cocktails. What’s great about these drinks is that they are super simple to make for party guests. Some of you are busy this time of year balancing trick or treat night with the kids, classroom Halloween parties, and hey…maybe your own spirited affair just for adults. You don’t have time to prep sangria fruit or brainstorm a punch bowl recipe. No worries! I’ve got you covered.
Sometimes a holiday inspires my cocktail recipes but other times it’s just the discovery of a flavored water, juice, or soda I haven’t tried yet. Unflavored vodka isn’t sweet and goes well with just about any flavor. Every stocked home bar needs the usual well liquors: vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, and if you’re brave…tequila. My years as a bartender taught me a lesson about what people are willing to drink. Everyone has a liquor they can’t drink anymore and one that serves as their go-to spirit. Be sure to stock them all to appeal to every guest.
When preparing for your Halloween party guests to arrive, simply line up dozen cocktail glasses on a long table. Station bottled liquors behind them and the mixers (juice, soda, tonic, water) nearby. Introduce theme drinks with a chalkboard menu so they know how to make them and then let them do it. Walk away! Guests don’t mind making their own drinks, which gives you more time to prepare for your costume contest.
I wish you a freakishly fun Halloween night. May your drink glasses and your trick or treat baskets be full!
Let me know what you think of these cocktail recipes in the comment section below.
Boo-rific Blood Orange Cocktail
Ingredients
- 8 oz blood orange soda
- 3 oz orange vodka
- squeeze of two orange wedges optional
- garnish with orange slice
Instructions
- Fill glass with crushed ice.
- Add vodka.
- Top with blood orange soda.
- Squeeze orange slices into glass.
- Stir slowly.
- Garnish with an orange slice.