Hosting a Halloween soiree? Try these 5 spooktacular cocktail recipes

From sophisticated and smoky to candy-themed, these cocktail recipes are sure to impress guests and your taste buds this haunting season.

Whether you’re throwing a horror movie night with friends, a full Halloween costume party, or just want something seasonal to sip on while handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, having some themed cocktails on hand is a good idea.

It’s also useful when the cocktails don’t require too much effort or too many ingredients, though there are a few that are well worth the effort. If all else fails, you can mix the drinks in batches for multiple pours; just keep track of the total ounces while shimmy to “Monster Mash” and try not to spill on your costume.

Several major alcohol companies are releasing Halloween-themed adult beverages, so we rounded up a few that not only tasted great but also looked the part for the spooky season. Here are five cocktails to try this season, ranging from a sophisticated smoky bourbon old-fashioned to a fun candy corn-inspired glass of goodness.

The Ripper, Jack

1 oz. vodka

1/2 cup fresh carrot juice

1/2 ounce orange liqueur Bauchant

Lemon zest

In a mixing glass, combine all of the ingredients and pour into a shot glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Candy Corn Cocktail

Sorel Liqueur, 1/2 oz.

2 oz. Skrewball Whisky

1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

0.75 ounce pure maple syrup

1 white egg

In a cocktail shaker, combine whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake for 10 seconds, or until combined and foamy. Shake with ice for about 10 seconds, or until chilled. Fill a cocktail glass halfway with ice and top with the liqueur.

The Talum Devil

1 ounce Reposado Cenote

1/2 ounce violette creme

1 teaspoon lime juice

2 oz. ginger beer

Pour all of the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir over ice before straining into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime or a fresh blackberry.

Pamonado

1 1/2 ounces Cask Terminado Smokehead Tequila

1 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 teaspoon agave syrup

Pour Grapefruit Soda on top.

Ice that has been crushed

The Smoked Old Fashioned

1 1/2 oz. Devil’s Gate bourbon

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

3 teaspoons aromatic bitters

Orange rind

Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass. Add orange peel and smoke it with a cocktail chimney.