It’s clear that Halloween is a very fun time of year, but very often it’s focused on the little ones. Back in the old days adults loved to throw cocktail mixers and costume parties. Personally I say if we are going to take back any holiday this should be the one.

These cocktails take a touch of prep work to make, but once you have it done you can shake up a lot of them with no trouble. The most important thing to these cocktails is making sure your juice is fresh, and yes that means squeezing a few limes and oranges.

If your in a pinch you can get away with bottled orange but never lime, you simply must squeeze it fresh. Luckily if you squeeze a bunch into a squirt bottle they will keep for about a day in the fridge.

Infusion Syrups

1 part Sugar

1 Part Water

For Vanilla: Slice open and scrape two vanilla beans into the sugar and water

For Cinnamon: Smash four cinnamon sticks and add to sugar and water

Bring mixture to a boil stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Once the syrup begins to boil turn the heat down to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Then cover and remove from the heat for 4 hours to infuse before straining and bottling. These will keep for up to three months in the fridge.

Once you have your syrups the hard part is done. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

Aitu Eye

Ingredients

2 oz Mount Gay Gold Barbados Rum

¼ Maraschino Liqueur

¾ Lime

¼ Grapefruit

¾  Vanilla Syrup

Shake together with ice and strain into a small coupe or cocktail glass.

The Haunted Hut

Ingredients

2 oz Brugal Extra Dry

½  Lime Juice

½  Orange Juice

½  Campari

½  Cinnamon Syrup

Dash Angostura (optional)

Shake and strain up into a coupe or cocktail glass and garnish with an orange slice.

The Haunting Moon

Ingredients

1 ½  oz Hendrick’s Gin

1 oz Frangelico

½ oz Chambord

Mist Angostura

Combine Gin, and Liqueurs in an ice filled shaker and stir with ice then strain into a cocktail glass. Mist the top with Angostura bitters and drop in a twist of lemon.

Spooky cocktails with full on flavor are the perfect way to get yourself into the season. And there’s no reason not to share these with your friends for a real old fashioned costume bash. Join us next week for a spicy football snack, and make sure to drink responsibly.