Halloween
5 Boo-tiful Cocktail & Dessert Pairings for Halloween
Treat yourself to the season's spookiest matchups.
We’ve teamed up with Breckenridge Distillery to share Halloween-ready cocktails hand-crafted by their award-winning Liquid Chef Billie Keithley, featuring their frightfully fine spirits. From smooth Bourbon to zippy Chili Chile Vodka, they've got the goods when it comes to whipping up spooky sips.
We take Halloween very seriously in my house. My husband and I like to start curating our spooky movie list towards the end of September so that by the time October rolls around, we’re ready for action. His picks usually include a mix of thrillers and true horror films (no thank you), while mine are mostly campy classics and childhood favorites—Hocus Pocus, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Addams Family Values are all must-sees.
No movie viewing experience is complete without something to sip and snacks, and my motto is the more festive the better. Breckenridge Distillery has my beverage needs covered with their impressive range of spirits (gin! spiced rum! bourbon!), plus they’ve dreamt up a slew of bewitching beverages that’ll pair perfectly with our scary movie lineup. And of course, I've got some sweet treats in mind to enjoy with each, because ‘tis the season.
1. You’ll Float Too & Preserved Lemon Crinkle Cookies
While I'm not a big fan of scary movies, I've never really had an issue with clowns, so this It-inspired drink is okay in my book. Breckenridge Chili Chile Vodka serves as the base for a sparkling lemony cocktail with plenty of smoky heat from the Turkish Chili- and Pueblo Chile-infused spirit. Paired with citrusy crinkle cookies that look downright ghoulish, this pairing is no joke.
To make the drink: Rim your glass with honey and fill with ice. Add 1 ounce Breckenridge Chili Chile Vodka, 3 ounces fresh lemonade, and 1 scoop lemon sherbet to the glass and top with soda, then stir to combine.
2. Apocalypse Punch & Triple-Chocolate Olive Oil Brownies
If the apocalypse were coming, I'd be stocking up on allll of the chocolate. This pairing features Triple-Chocolate Olive Oil Brownies and a batched berry cocktail that'll make around 20 servings, which is ideal for the party throwers among us. Breckenridge Gin stars alongside tangy cranberry or raspberry juice, homemade rosemary simple syrup, and brewed lemon tea.
To make the rosemary simple syrup: Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 5 rosemary sprigs in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, turn off heat, and let cool. Strain the syrup, then refrigerate until you're ready to use (up to two weeks).
To make the drink: Add 1 (750-milliliter) bottle Breckenridge Gin, 90 ounces cranberry or raspberry juice, 16 ounces brewed lemon tea, and 10 ounces rosemary simple syrup to a punch bowl and stir to combine. Refrigerate until you're ready to serve and finish with citrus wheels when it's party time.
3. Don’t Fall Asleep & Matcha Snickerdoodles
This duo is a mean, green, flavor machine thanks to verdant Matcha Snickerdoodles and a green tea cocktail made with fragrant, American-style Breckenridge Gin. You definitely won't be falling asleep once you've had your fill of this caffeinated pairing, which means no chance of nightmares on Elm (or any) street.
To make the honey simple syrup: Combine 1 cup water, 4 ounces honey, and 4 ounces sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, turn off heat, and let cool completely. Refrigerate until you're ready to use (up to two weeks).
To make the drink: Add 2 ounces Breckenridge Gin, 1 ounce honey simple syrup, 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, and 3/4 ounce brewed green tea to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 6 to 8 seconds, or until the shaker is cold to the touch, then strain and serve over light-up ice cubes (regular ice works too).
4. Cabin in the Woods & Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups
Bourbon and chocolate are a foolproof pairing all year round, but for an utterly autumnal twist, add seasonal favorites like pumpkin and apple cider to the mix. Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups are just the right amount of sweet to complement the notes of dry cacao and brown sugar in Breckenridge Bourbon.
To make the drink: Add 1 1/2 ounces Breckenridge Bourbon, 2 ounces apple cider, 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce orgeat to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 6 to 8 seconds, or until the shaker is cold to the touch, then strain and serve over ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and toasted pumpkin seeds, then use the Breville Polyscience Smoking Gun Pro to smoke apple smoking chips over the drink for 8 seconds.
5. Breckenridge Zombie & Coconut Dream Bars
A play on a classic tiki drink, this version of a Zombie combines Breckenridge's dark molasses-forward Spiced Rum with freshly squeezed fruit juices, passion fruit syrup, and Falernum (a spiced, citrusy syrup). The spookiness here is, of course, in the name—throw on Zombieland and you'll be well on your way to themed movie night perfection. Round out your tropical-inspired lineup with Coconut Dream Bars, and enjoy the show.
To make the passion fruit syrup: Combine 1/2 cup fresh passion fruit pulp (strained through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds) and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan. Stir until sugar is dissolved, turn off heat, and let cool completely. Refrigerate until you're ready to use (up to two weeks).
To make the drink: Add 2 1/2 ounces Breckenridge Spiced Rum, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 1/2 ounces passion fruit syrup (homemade or store-bought), and 1/2 ounce Falernum to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 6 to 8 seconds, or until the shaker is cold to the touch, then strain and serve over pebble ice cubes. Garnish with fresh mint.
Our friends at Breckenridge Distillery have been producing quality spirits since 2008. Rooted in a deep love for quality whiskey, their offerings have expanded beyond the original bourbon and vodka to include Spiced Rum, Gin, Reserve Blend, and more. For more Halloween-inspired cocktails, check out their website.
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