It’s finally October! Halloween season is right around the corner and what better way to get into spirit than with some spooky booze? But how did these cocktails come about? Are the cocktail origin stories just as spooky as their names? Let’s get into the history behind classic Halloween cocktails (don’t worry recipes will also be included!) to sprinkle some more thrill into your Halloween night with friends.

Bloody Mary

Tomato juice, celery, Tabasco, salt, black pepper — it may sound like a list of ingredients for sour chicken, but it’s actually the makeup of the iconic Bloody Mary. Different from regular fruity or sour cocktails, you definitely should think twice before ordering. 

This classic cocktail has a history as mysterious as its name and doesn't have a clear origin. It is said that the Bloody Mary was concocted by bartender Henry Zbikiewicz at the New York Bar in Paris, also known as "Harry's New York Bar." However, in a 2021 NPR interview, cocktail historian Dave Wondrich, said it's "unprovable with current evidence" and that the statement isn't "clearly false, but even if it's true, it's only part of the story." He states that it all started in the 1910s. The Bloody Mary was originally crafted as a hangover cure and may have been inspired by the tomato juice and vodka combination popular among American expatriates.

If you’re feeling adventurous — here’s a recipe:

Bloody Mary

  • Prep Time:3 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:3 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz 45 ml vodka
  • 3 oz 90 ml tomato juice
  • 1/2 oz 15 ml lemon juice
  • 1 dash hot sauce e.g. Tabasco
  • 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
  • A pinch salt and black pepper
  • Ice cubes
  • Garnishes e.g. celery stalk olives pickles lemon wedge bacon

  • Step 1

    Fill a shaker with ice cubes.

  • Step 2

    Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the shaker.

  • Step 3

    Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.

  • Step 4

    Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.

  • Step 5

    Garnish with your choice of celery stalk, olives, pickles, lemon wedge, bacon, or other creative toppings.

El Diablo

El Diablo, in Spanish, means “The Devil.” Knowing the actual meaning now, what cocktail can be more perfect for Halloween than this? The exact origins of the El Diablo cocktail are a bit hazy, but it is believed to have been created in the 1940s or 1950s. The Difford's Guide states that the first documented mention of El Diablo appears in a book about food and beverages by Victor J, or “Trader Vic.” The cocktail's name directly translates to a “Mexican God of Destroying.” El Diablo is a refreshing, fruity, and flavorful drink that gives you a kick before you know it. The sourness from the black currant liqueur and ginger beer covers the agave spice from the tequila, making it a pleasant drink to savor.

Feel like you can handle El Diablo? Here’s a recipe:

El Diablo

  • Prep Time:3 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:3 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 oz 60 ml tequila
  • 3/4 oz 22.5 ml creme de cassis blackcurrant liqueur
  • 1/2 oz 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • Ginger beer
  • Lime wheel or wedge for garnish
  • Blackcurrants optional for garnish

  • Step 1

    Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.

  • Step 2

    Add the tequila, creme de cassis, and fresh lime juice to the glass.

  • Step 3

    Stir the ingredients gently to combine them.

  • Step 4

    Top off the glass with ginger beer. You can adjust the amount of ginger beer to your preference, but a 2-3 ounce pour is typical.

  • Step 5

    Give the cocktail a gentle stir to ensure the flavors are well-mingled.

  • Step 6

    Garnish your El Diablo with a lime wheel or wedge and, if available, a few blackcurrants for a pop of color and flavor.

Zombie

Last but not least, Zombie should be one of the first drinks college students order in a bar. It’s a tiki-style drink known for its tropical taste, but better known for its high alcohol content and its reputation as a strong and mysterious drink. The origins of the Zombie cocktail is generally credited to Don Beach (real name: Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt), the founder of the tiki bar Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood in the 1930s. Donn Beach was known for his elaborate and secretive cocktail recipes, which often included a variety of rums and exotic ingredients. The Zombie was one of his signature creations.

Here’s the recipe if you’re looking for a spooky booze with your friends before trick-or-treating.

Zombie

  • Prep Time:3 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:3 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz 45 ml light rum
  • 1 1/2 oz 45 ml dark rum
  • 1 oz 30 ml apricot brandy
  • 1 oz 30 ml lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 oz 30 ml pineapple juice
  • 1 oz 30 ml passion fruit syrup or grenadine
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • Crushed ice
  • Pineapple slice cherry and mint sprig for garnish optional

  • Step 1

    Fill a shaker with crushed ice.

  • Step 2

    Add the light rum, dark rum, apricot brandy, lime juice, pineapple juice, passion fruit syrup (or grenadine), and a dash of Angostura bitters to the shaker.

  • Step 3

    Shake vigorously until well chilled.

  • Step 4

    Strain the mixture into a tall glass or tiki mug filled with crushed ice.

  • Step 5

    Garnish your Zombie with a pineapple slice, cherry, and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Also, be mindful of its potency!