While some people think Halloween is a kiddie holiday, we disagree. We think it heats up long after the children are tucked safely in bed, faces washed of excess chocolate.
Because it is then that the spirits come out to play. And by "spirits" we mean the ones that come in a bottle.
We've scared up an assortment of the most frightfully fiendish cocktails guaranteed to please every ghoul and guy. Make them at home with these recipes, or enjoy them at Miami's best bars and restaurants.
See also: Trader Joe's: The Ten Best Pumpkin Products
10. The Gremlin
2 oz Spring 44 Honey Vodka
1 oz Velvet Falernum
1/4 oz Molasses Syrup
4 banana slices
1 tsp pink peppercorn
Muddle banana and peppercorn. Add ice. Add remaining ingredients. Shake a double strain over crushed ice in rocks glass.
The Gremlin is available at the Raleigh Hotel ($14).
9. The Headless Horseman
1 1/2 oz Sailor Jerry rum
1/2 oz Art in the Age snap ginger liqueur
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz agave
1/2 oz pumpkin purée
Mix ingredients in shaker and pour into coupe glass. Garnish rim of glass with cinnamon sugar.
The Headless Horseman is available at Toro Toro ($8).
8. Candy Corn Martini
2 oz vodka infused with candy corn
1 oz vanilla vodka
dash of vermouth
dash of bitters
black sugar rim
Combine ingredients in shaker. Strain into martini glass.
The candy corn martini is available at Serendipity 3 ($12).
7. Witches Brew
1 1/2 oz espresso
1/2 oz vanilla simple syrup
1/2 oz Frangelico
1/2 oz Baileys
1 oz vodka
Build drink in glass coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and candied nuts.
Witches Brew is available at Tongue & Cheek ($8).
6. Vampire Punch
2 oz orange rum
1/2 oz cointreau
2 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz raspberry purée (for the "blood")
Build in collins glass.
The Vampire Punch is available at " target="_blank">Serendipity 3 ($12).
5. El Diablo Cocktail
2 1/2 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka
1/2 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz jalapeño-infused olive brine
Shake vigorously in shaker with ice and strain into martini cocktail glass. Garnish with filthy pepper-stuffed olives.
El Diablo is available at Toro Toro ($12).
4. Grape Ghoulade
1 3/4 oz grape vodka
1/4 oz blue Curaçao
1/4 oz cranberry juice
Splash lemon sour
Splash lemon lime soda
Shake all ingredients and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a lychee soaked in grenadine.
Graph Ghoulade is avaliable at RA Sushi's Boo Bash on October 31 ($6).
3. deVil
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz cassis syrup
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 oz red apple juice
1/4 oz Aperol
Shake and strain. Top with spiced frozen foam.
deVil is available at HaVen ($15).
2. The Zombie Walker
Muddled ginger and cranberries
2 oz cranberry juice
1 1/2 oz Bombay sapphire
Build in a collins glass. Top with ginger ale, finger limes, cranberries, and rosemary.
The Zombie Walker is available at Tongue & Cheek ($10).
1. Flaming Pumpkin Martini
1 1/2 oz pumpkin spice syrup
1 oz vodka
1/4 oz 151 rum
splash of lime juice
1 tsp honey
cinnamon
In cocktail shaker, combine pumpkin spice syrup, vodka, lime juice, honey, and ice. Shake well. Pour into martini glass, rim inside of cocktail glass with 151 rum. Light cocktail on fire and sprinkle cinnamon on top to see the rising flame.
The Flaming Pumpkin Martini is available at Moreno's at the Riviera South Beach Hotel ($15).
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