It’s that time of the year when Halloween rears its spooky head followed by Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations.
We’ve put together five spooky spirits and cocktails to get you in the ghoulish mood.
5 Spooky Spirits for Halloween
Bowmore Devil’s Cask
Legend has it that the devil was chased through the town of Bowmore so he entered the distillery then escaped in a cask. Bowmore’s Devils Cask comes in at 56.7% ABV and is matured in first fill sherry casks which give the liquid its characteristic fruitcake, Christmas spice, dark fruit and chocolate. A devilish temptation indeed. Read about Bowmore Devil’s Cask here.
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut uses liquid extracted from the oak of the barrel using a proprietary technique which gives the whiskey more punch and flavour. At 45% ABV, use it in mixed drinks or in a punch or sip it neat. If you dare. Read about Jim Beam Devil’s Cut here.
Crystal Head Aurora Vodka
You can thank Ghostbusters star Dan Aykroyd for his Crystal Head Vodka. The bottle design is inspired by an old tale of 13 crystal skulls deemed to have spiritual powers passed on to those that have them in possession. Crystal Head Aurora Vodka is the second incarnation made from a base of wheat instead of corn and comes in a shimmering bottle. Who you gonna call? Read about Crystal Head Vodka Aurora here.
Poltergeist Unfiltered Gin
Hailing from the Apple Isle, Tasmania, Poltergeist Unfiltered Gin is a small batch gin made from 12 botanicals that include Tasmanian pepperberries. Why is it spooky? Poltergeist Unfiltered is known to ghost over ice.
Bladvod Pure Black Vodka
Haven’t heard of Bladvod? Neither have we until it popped up under a search for “black vodka”. Bladvod is distilled from molasses and gets its black colour from catechu, an extract from the acacia plant often used as a food additive and dye. Black Martinis, anyone?
Halloween Cocktails
For black Halloween cocktails, we’ve put together three spooky squid ink cocktails over at our sister website, Cocktails & Bars. You’ll find the Martintacles complete with squid tentacles, the Corpse Reviver No. 666 shown above, and Black Moon Rising – featuring vodka, gin and tequila respectively.
Day of the Dead celebrations fall on the day after Halloween so you’ll be needing the hair of the dog (or the devil). Try making La Diabolita, a spicy smoky black riff on the Bloody Maria using with activated charcoal.
Happy Halloween!
