Cocktails inspired by iconic Halloween sweets

We’ve all got fond memories of dressing up and celebrating Halloween when were younger, but who says trick-or-treating is just for the kids? To add a dash of fun for the adults, try whipping up some cocktails inspired by your favourite Halloween sweets for the ultimate taste of nostalgia this October.

Below, bespoke gift set company Bottled & Boxed has shared three delicious recipes to help you get creative and make some spooky tipples.

Love Hearts

They might not be scary, but one of the iconic staples in any Brit’s trick-or-treat bag is a tube of Love Hearts. One way to recreate these classic flavours is with a Love Hearts martini, which boasts a fun pink colour that’s sure to be a hit. To make this aesthetically pleasing drink, you’ll need two shots of your favourite cream liqueur — such as a gin cream —a tablespoon of strawberry liqueur, two teaspoons of raspberry puree, and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Add a tablespoon of sugar syrup to a shaker with plenty of ice, and shake this vigorously before straining into a martini glass. For extra presentation points and a touch of zingy flavour to cut through the sweetness, rim your glass with lemon sherbet.

Alternatively, for something you can enjoy quickly in between answering the door to hungry trick-or-treaters, try making a tray of Love Heart shots. To a shaker, add a shot each (35ml) of white chocolate liqueur, strawberry liqueur, and strawberry-flavoured vodka. Shake this mixture up with a handful of large ice cubes and pour it into two shot glasses. You can then garnish your shots with a squirt of whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and some Love Heart sweets for the final flourish. Bottoms up!

Snickers

If you’re more of a chocolate person and are looking for something a little richer, then you can always try making an adult version of your favourite mini chocolate bar. Often found in our trick-or-treat bags, the humble Snickers is another classic sweet that we often enjoy on Halloween.

You might go for a more cosy, autumnal recipe like a boozy Snickers hot chocolate, which is perfect for enjoying on the sofa while your little ones are getting into their costumes. Simply whisk dark chocolate, milk, peanut butter, and some sugar over low heat until everything is melted and combined. After bringing this to a boil, take the pan off the heat and whisk in your favourite liqueur — whether it’s whisky, rum, or brandy, opt for something sweet and rich to make this a truly indulgent Halloween treat. Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a mini Snickers piece and tuck in (spoon optional!).

However, for something colder and refreshing, you can always turn your favourite nutty chocolate bar into a sweet martini. To make a batch of this ‘Snickertini’ for two, start by drizzling your martini glasses with chocolate sauce and chill them in the freezer while you make your drink. Then, shake up 90ml of caramel-flavoured vodka, a shot of Bailey’s, a shot of chocolate liqueur, and a tablespoon of Amaretto with a handful of ice. Strain this into your chilled glasses, and if you like, sprinkle over some finely crushed biscuit crumbs for a sweet crunch.

Parma Violets

A slightly controversial sweet that people seem to love or hate, Parma Violets are another classic part of the Halloween jumbo mix we all buy when it’s time for trick-or-treaters! Their floral, botanical taste might not be for everyone, but fans of these traditional purple sweets should absolutely try the Aviation. This classy cocktail captures all the unique flavours of the Parma Violet without being too sickly sweet, so it’s the perfect grown-up version to sip on a cosy October night and remind you of Halloweens gone by.

To make two servings of this cocktail, combine 120ml of good quality dry gin with a shot of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a shot and a half of maraschino liqueur, and a generous tablespoon of crème de violette. This final ingredient is a violet-infused liqueur (made from a base of either brandy or neutral spirit) and is what gives the Aviation its signature floral taste. After shaking this mixture vigorously with plenty of ice, strain and pour into a glass of your choice. If you’re feeling really fancy, you may even garnish your drink with a few sugared violet petals to get the cocktail bar experience from home.

Quote

“Halloween can be a special holiday season for the whole family, so don’t let the kids have all the fun! Making some treat-inspired cocktails is a great way for the grown-ups to get creative and have their own party this year, so choose a handful of your favourite trick-or-treat sweets and let your imagination do the rest.

“When experimenting with more creative, indulgent cocktail recipes, be sure to use high-quality spirits as your key ingredient so they don’t get lost among the different flavours. There’s nothing more nostalgic than adding a twist to some of your childhood favourites, so whipping up these indulgent cocktails can be a great trip down memory lane!”

–          Steve King, Managing Director at Bottled & Boxed