Halloween has made a major comeback! It used to be a one-night-only costumed candy gorge-fest, but in recent years it has become the culmination of a 6-week period dubbed ‘Spooky Season.’ We here at Stonewall Kitchen are always down for a fun reason to celebrate, so get ready to whip up some creepy cocktails, pull together a last-minute costume, and get to Monster Mashing!
First up, Mulled Spider, a timeless take on spiced apple cider using our Wine & Cider Mulling Spices. This one could not be simpler, just steep the spices in hot apple cider to give it a rich cinnamon, clove, and star anise flavor. This elixir will fill your kitchen with all the fall smells so be ready to make a second batch because folks will not be able to resist once they get a whiff! The Mulled Spider is great for parties with little monsters around – just leave the mulled cider in a slow cooker on warm on a serve-yourself-station and don’t forget the paper cups and cinnamon sticks for extra garnish! Keep the booze (we recommend a nice whiskey or bourbon!) in a secret place that only the adults know about. Maybe even send them on a cobwebbed treasure hunt into your scary attic or basement to find it!
Looking for ways to add a little extra spook? Since no spiders were harmed in the making of this cocktail, be sure to include them as décor on and around your table. We like the classic black spider rings - you can even leave them all over the table as scary party favors for your guests. This cocktail would be the perfect accessory for classic literary character costumes like Headless Sherlock Holmes or even the hilariously horrifying Hocus Pocus Witches. (Anybody else super excited for the sequel coming soon?!)
If you’re in a place where it’ll be warm this Spooky Season, I highly recommend our Fangria, made by using the simple instructions on our Sangria Mix. It’s a tart sweet blend of fruit juices and purees to mix with wine, brandy, and fresh fruit. Serve over ice (or an insider tip, use frozen fruit as ice cubes!) as a refreshing thirst quencher to pair with your fun ‘on-vacation costumes‘- think tropical Santa, tourist witch, or shark-bitten surfer. This one’s also good for a crowd, because you can whip up a big batch in a pitcher or punch bowl and let folks serve themselves. Don’t forget to add some frightening fangs on the rim of the glass – bonus points if you can get some sangria to drip down a sharp one!
Now for my personal favorite: Hellish Jalapeño Onion Eyeball Martinis. This one is a time-honored classic made with a ghoulish garnish! Shake or stir up your favorite martini by combining 2 ½ ounces high-quality gin or vodka with ½ ounce dry vermouth over ice and stirring or shaking until extremely cold (about 30 seconds). Strain into a chilled martini coupe or martini glass and garnish with two Tillen Farms’ Jalapeño Onions on a toothpick. Be sure to place the onions jalapeño-up so they look like they’re staring back at you. The onions are packaged in vermouth, so if you like a dirty martini, I highly recommend trying the onion-y liquid from the jar as the vermouth in the drink! The is an obvious choice for your Zombie James Bonds, but I think it would be hilarious for Frankenstein or some other ‘monster’ to indulge in such a sophisticated beverage.
Lastly, a current trending fave: Witch’s Brew (or you may know it as an Espresso Martini). This is a dark and mysterious blend of espresso and cane sugar syrup shaken with vodka and an optional dash of cream, which I highly recommend. We garnished the glass with a mixture of turbinado sugar and fine coffee grounds for an extra flavorful first sip. The Espresso Martini is having a moment this year, so this one will be best for any contemporary pop culture costumes you’re planning. I’m imagining Lizzo or Harry Styles sipping on one of these trendy libations!
Well, Ghouls & Goblins, that’s the guide to our favorite spooky cocktail tricks – ahem, I mean treats! We’re so happy to help you enjoy every last drop of this Spooky Season, and we can’t wait to see your creepy creations. Be sure to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok!
