Top spooky serves for Halloween 2015

In the spirit of the season, our round-up celebrates some of the best Halloween cocktails put together by both brands and bartenders this October.

Get set to discover some of the top Halloween cocktails created for this weekend’s festivities

From ghoulish, Ghost-themed drinks to stunningly surreal serves, bars and brands alike are really pushing the boat out with their cocktail creations this Halloween.

The culture of innovation in the drinks trade has reached a new high this year, and whether its because bartenders are expressing new-found creative freedom, the occasion really has become super commercialised, or just simply because Halloween happens to fall on a weekend, the cocktail options are better than ever.

Where once the “trick or treat”aspect was all about confectionery, adults of legal drinking age can upgrade and enjoy a something a little stronger in style with these grown-up creations.

Click through to discover our selection of the top Halloween cocktails – and get inspired to create your own spooky serves this weekend.

Think we’ve missed off a terrifyingly top tipple? Let us know in the comments below. 

Nosferatini – by Tony Conigliaro, Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell

The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell hosted a special Halloween Cocktail Masterclass earlier in October, with the Nosferatini, a wet gin martini with “blood” solution, a surreal yet stunning creation on the menu.

To create:

50m Gin
15ml Dry Martini
2 Drops Drink Factory blood solution
Add the gin and vermouth to a cocktail tin filled with ice and stir to dilute. Double strain into a chilled small coupette glass and garnish with 2 drops of blood.

Sangaree – by The Wild Geese

Aged for up to eight years, recently launched The Wild Geese Premium Rum is the base spirit in this Halloween/Day of the Dead-themed serve. Blood red in colour, the Sangaree is ideal for supernatural celebrations.

To create:

50ml The Wild Geese Premium Rum
25ML Grand Marnier cognac liqueur
5ml maple syrup
25ml port
Grated nutmeg
Ice to strain

Mix all ingredients together, double strain with ice and serve with a grating of nutmeg.

Poisoned Apple – at The Exhibit

The Exhibit in Balham has created twisted tipple Poisoned Apple, a serve available for one night only on Saturday 31 October. Presented deadly cold and accompanied by a half-bitten apple, the cocktail is set to transport guests into a fearsome fairytale experience.

Made from: Jägermeister, Chambord, lime, apple juice, fresh mint, and topped with absinthe foam.

Lychee Ghost & The Ghost of Mr Collins, by Ghost Vodka

Admittedly not Halloween-specific, but no otherworldly overview would be complete without mentioning Ghost Vodka, the recently launched brand surely set to enjoy a successful spooky season. SB particularly likes Lychee Ghost and The Ghost of Mr Collins – certainly fitting tipples for a Halloween celebration.

Aunt Gertrude’s Gin Giddy – from Mr Fogg’s Tavern

The Phileas Fogg-themed London bar has a full cocktail menu dedicated to Halloween which features Aunt Gertrude’s Gin Giddy, an elegantly eerie serve.

Made from: Bombay Sapphire, Tamarind Paste, Caster Sugar, Fresh Blackberry

White as a Ghost Collins – from Wringer + Mangle

Brand new East London haunt Wringer + Mangle was created by maverick Gerry Calabrese – and already the venue has unveiled a Halloween-themed host of tasty tipples, including White as a Ghost Collins, pictured here.

To create:
50ml Hendricks Gin
Top Cucumber & Cardamom Foam
Pour Gin in to a glass with ice, top with foam and garnish with a cucumber butterfly

The Kraken Berry Cooler – from The Diner

The Diner is celebrating Halloween with a dedicated menu across its eight London venues – with The Kraken rum adding a supernatural, spirited twist to the proceedings with the special Berry Cooler.

Made from: The Kraken, super berry tea, lime.