Deadly cocktails to try this Halloween
Originating from the ancient Celtic religion to welcome the harvest, Halloween is still celebrated with bonfires and costumes... but in plenty of other ways too.
From trick or treating to immersive events and festivals, there’s a plethora of things to do across the UK, not to mention eat and drink. We got in touch with DesignMyNight for the spookiest sips around; inspired by horror movies and Greek mythology, they’re sure to raise your spirits.
Bloomsbury Club Bar - London
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Bloomsbury Club Bar is one of London’s prettiest hotel bars but there is something sinister taking place among its fairy lights this October. The team has launched a new menu where your mood is matched to one of 14 cocktails, guided by a speclialist “Diviner”. Flaming Venom is said to banish envy and resentment, while the Fallen Angel will expel negative energy and dark secrets.
The Beaufort Bar - London
The Beaufort Bar has created a new cocktail menu just in time for Halloween and it draws inspiration from magic throughout the centuries. Going as far back as Greek mythology and fast forwarding right up to modern day scientists and some of the world’s most famed magicians, the menu has been simmered down to five special serves. The Mentalist is a sharp number made with Patron Silver Tequila, grapefruit, lettuce cordial and orange bitters, while The Allure explores the relationship between forbidden fruit and magic.
STK - London
STK isn’t just creating a special menu for Halloween, it is upping the tempo with a Twisted Champagne Circus event. You can count on a clown contortionist, joker and lizard lady to keep you entertained throughout the evening but it’s the cocktails that are the real ringmaster of the show. Collaborating with Bacardi, you’ll be sinking your teeth into Dark Soul and Bloody Brain mixes, both just as deadly as the other.
Dirty Martini - Cardiff
Saint or sinner? There’s only one real way to find out this Halloween, and it’s by visiting Dirty Martini. The bar has concocted two limited-edition drinks for the spookiest time of the year, leaving you to decide between the Heaven Sent, a divine creation of Beefeater Gin, Blood Orange Solerno, Peach Schnapps, peach bitters and egg white, and the Devil’s Advocate, a dangerously tasty combination of Bacardi Spiced Rum, Chambord, raspberry, vanilla, citrus and MS Better’s Bitters.
Savage Garden - London
Savage Garden has released news about its winter pop-up - a dreamy ski resort hideaway - but you should definitely visit before the snow machine is installe. Its Devil’s Advocate cocktail might be on the menu all year round, but it’s just as sinister as if it were whipped up especially for Halloween. Made with Olmeca Blanco tequila with pink grapefruit, crème de cassis, lemon juice and sage, it’s a smashing sip to try this October.
The Donovan Bar - London
Cocktail master Salvatore Calabrese has added two themed cocktails to the award-winning menu at The Donovan Bar, both utilising seasonal ingredients. Psycho is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie, made with Calvados, Sassy Cidre Brut syrup, apple vermouth and verjus, while Paint It Black is linked to The Rolling Stones, formed with Casamigos tequila infused with Rooibos Tea, Salvatore’s Liquore di Limone, fennel soda, clementine and bergamot juice.
The Ivy Spinningfields - Manchester
The Ivy Spinningfields has hit two birds with one stone this Halloween, creating not only a themed cocktail, but a dessert too. Its Midnight Martini is a head-turning creation and jet back in colour, made with Tosolini, Absolut Vanilla, dark Crème de Cacao and cinnamon syrup. And if your sweet tooth needs satisfying, the Melting Witches Hat is just what the doctor ordered, served with lashings of caramel sauce and popping candy.
Tequila Mockingbird - London
It Chapter Two was released this year after the 2017 remake caused a frenzy - and Tequila Mockingbird is bringing it to life in cocktail form this Halloween. Made with a white rum and pineapple base, the Pennywise Punch comes topped with a bloody chilli jam before a bright red helium balloon is tied to the coupe glassware. One for the movie buffs, it is among this year’s most imaginative Halloween cocktails.
For more information on Halloween in London, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Facebook; @DesignMyNight.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What's next for electric vehicles under Trump?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for Tesla's Elon Musk?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Vegetable cocktails are having a moment
The Week Recommends Wild carrot margarita? Mung bean old-fashioned? 'Allotment-inspired' tipples are appearing on drinks menus
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Raise your glass at these 7 hotel bars where the vibe is as important as the drinking
The Week Recommends Have a pisco sour in Peru and a Bellini in Rome. Or maybe run into Bruno Mars in Vegas.
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How to make the most of your leftover pumpkins
The Week Recommends As the Halloween fun wraps up, snap up pumpkins still on sale and don't leave your jack-o-lanterns to rot
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
5 new horror movies to jump-scare your way through Halloween
The Week Recommends A new take on Stephen King classic 'Salems Lot', a spooky take on late-night talk shows, and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
8 bars to hunker down in during the fall season
The Week Recommends Where to drink now in Phoenix, New York City and many a point in between
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
7 cocktails for a comforting autumn
The Week Recommends Vodka, rum, brandy, mezcal: The gang's all here
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published