Haunting Halloween Cocktails

 

If you are planning for a party, or maybe just want to treat yourself to something extra this Halloween, then you are in the perfect place to be inspired! I have gathered 10 of my favorite festive cocktails for the Halloween season to share with you. You can find a bonus of a few of my favorite cocktail recipes below too.

Hocus Pocus Cocktail by Easy Party Cocktails

Black Widow Martini by Burrata and Bubbles

Monkey Brain Shots by Aleka’s Get Together

Devil Margaritas by Sula and Spice

Witches Brew by Sugar and Charm

Wicked Things Cocktail by Like MK Library

Halloween Sangria by The Forked Spoon

Bloody Cosmos by By Andrea Jansen 

Lychee Gin Cocktail by Emily Fabulous

Green Appletini by The Art of Natural Living

Which of these sounds best to you? Those witches brew drinks look fun!

You might also want to try this sour apple margarita recipe

The Night King Cocktail is always a favorite!

Hillbilly Cider Cocktails

This recipe for hillbilly apple cider is the best easy cocktail for fall. This easy 2 ingredient recipe adds the perfect amount of apple pie moonshine to fresh apple cider for a smooth sipping drink that will really give you a kick in the pants! I love this cocktail for evenings when I don’t want to make a lot of effort for a cocktail because it is ready in about a minute.

Ingredients:

Apple Pie Moonshine

Fresh Pressed Apple Cider

Ice

Optional:

Cinnamon 

Directions:

Fill a glass with ice.

Add 1 ½ ounces of apple pie moonshine to your glass

Top off with 5 ounces of apple cider.

Give everything a good stir.

If you like you can garnish with cinnamon.

Find other favorite cocktail recipes here:

Blueberry Gin Fizzers

Sour Apple Margarita

Night King Cocktail Inspired by Game of Thrones

This eye catching cocktail is perfect for sipping while you binge watch reruns of Game of Thrones. Made with heavy cream, vodka and blue curacao, it has a delicious bite that leaves you wanting more.

My husband is a serious Game of Thrones fan. He loved the books, was enthralled by the series and has managed to develop quite the collection of merchandise from the show. He loves it so much that I have felt guilty for some time about not watching with him. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to about the show I suppose. 

So that was a wife fail. To make up for my lack of enthusiasm, the last time he was tuned in, wishing for different outcomes and additional episodes, I made my way into the kitchen and made him a cocktail. I wanted it to feel fitting for a serious fan, and I had limited info to go off of. 

I had seen the Night King a time or two, and I was inspired by the blue curacao in my home bar. A quick survey of the fridge told me I had ample heavy cream and with that, this cocktail was born.

• Ingredients:
• 4 ounces of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 ounce of vodka
• Blue curacao

• Directions:
• Whip sugar, and heavy cream until you have a nice thick whipped cream .
• Fold in the vodka.
• Transfer to a glass, carefully drizzling as much blue curacao on as you like. I kept it light for the swirling effect.
• Serve ice cold. 
• A spoon or straw is helpful for consumption.

Find more recipes here
Reader favorites include:
Sour Apple Margaritas
Haunting Halloween Cocktails

Best Winter Cocktails With Vodka

 Winter may be the coldest time of year, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your love of cocktails. In fact, there are many delicious and warming winter cocktails that are perfect for enjoying on a cold night. This blog post features a collection of the best winter cocktails made with vodka, from martinis to more creative concoctions. So gather your ingredients and get ready to toast to the winter season!

This collection has something for everyone included. Be sure to click through the links to view the full recipe and to pin the recipes for later.

Sparkling Pomegranate Martini by Burrata and Bubbles

Cranberry Moscow Mule by Spoonful of Flavor

Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini by Thrifty Jinxy

Winterberry Spiced Cocktail by Served From Scratch

Pumpkin Spice Martini by The Art of Food and Wine

Easy Peppermint Schnapps Cocktail by Natural Deets

Pomegranate  Ginger Beer Cocktails by Vindulge

Apple Cider Martini by Easy Party Cocktails

Pear Tree Cocktails by Three Olives Branch

Pumpkin Spice Latte by Cocktails with Class

Sparkling Cranberry Vodka by Sugar + Soul

Dirty Martini by Splash of Taste

Vegan White Russians by Home Cooked Roots

Caramel Apple Cider Mimosa by Gastronom

Apple Pie a la Mode Cocktail by xoxo Bella

Here are some tips for making the best cocktails with vodka.

• Use fresh ingredients. This is especially important for the citrus juices and herbs that are often used in vodka cocktails. Fresh ingredients will give your cocktails a brighter flavor and make them more appealing visually.
• Chill your glasses. This will help to keep your cocktails cold and refreshing. You can chill your glasses in the refrigerator or freezer for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Use high-quality vodka. This will make a big difference in the taste of your cocktails. Look for a vodka that is made from wheat or rye, as these vodkas tend to have a cleaner flavor.
• Don't over-mix your cocktails. Over-mixing can dilute the flavor of your cocktails and make them watery. Give your cocktails a gentle stir until the ingredients are combined.
• Garnish your cocktails. Garnishes can add flavor, visual appeal, and aroma to your cocktails. Some popular garnishes for vodka cocktails include citrus slices, herbs, and edible flowers.

I would love to hear which of these recipes you want to try first. I think I would love the apple pie a la mode cocktail.

You can find some of my other favorite drink recipes here:

Sour Apple Margaritas

Hillbilly Cider Cocktails

Bomb Pop Cocktails

15+ Amazing Wine Cocktails

A glass of wine is nice, but these cocktails take it a step further to create something truly special. Make a few to sip with someone special, or try them all, spread out over the course of the summer. 

I love to mix drinks for the people in my life. It is fun to share  new concoctions and I love to see what I can come up with based on my home bar. Honestly though, I rarely indulged myself.  Then Covid-19 happened. Life got completely out of whack in a flash. By April I had begun making a cocktail for myself every day around 4, just to keep my even keel.

I found 15 amazing wine cocktails to try at home. I love how these are a good way to finish off a bottle, and when we are back to entertaining, I know several of these will be presented, with LOVE to my friends!

From Guava wine margaritas which happen to sound divine,  to a Moscato Sangria that goes down so smooth, there is something on this list for everyone. I know you will find one you love!

Guava Wine Margaritas by Growing  Up Bilingual
 Strawberry Lime Bellini's by Plating Pixels
Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria by Growing Up Bilingual
Wine Lemonade Cocktail by Food Wine and Sunshine
Spiced Pear Bellini by Cupcakes and Cutlery
Pineapple Moscato Sangria by The Taylor House
Spanish Rose Sangria by Bacon is Magic
Honey Peach Sangria Slushies by Snappy Gourmet
Basil Raspberry Sangria by Swirls of Flavor
Easy White Wine Spritzers  by My Kitchen Love
Sparkling Raspberry Wine by 5 Minutes for Mom
Berry Red Wine Spritzer by Girl Gone  Mom
Raspberry Lime Wine Spritzer by Centsless Meals
Cranberry Orange Sangria by The Taylor House
Moscato Sangria by Bolder Locavore

If you are looking for more great cocktail recipes check these out.
Blueberry Vodka Lime Sorbet

Blueberry Gin Fizzers

Bomb Pop Cocktails

All the flavors you loved as a child in bomb pops take a grown up turn to create a cocktail that is perfect for your holiday festivities, or anytime of the year!

I might not be sipping on boozy drinks very often, but I do love to play bartender for friends and neighbors.  Last weekend one of my favorite neighbors caught me outside taking photos and he asked me to make his lovely wife a drink, something cheerful that would take the edge off. She had a rough day. I knew right away what I wanted to serve. I dashed inside and gathered my supplies. This drink came out so beautifully that I made a few and headed over with my little drink tray and visited with them. 

This drink looks like it might be complicated to make, but trust me. Layering this bomb pop cocktail is effortless!

Ingredients:

Strawberry syrup (torani makes a nice one that is easy to find)

Vodka

Sprite

Ice

Blue Curacao

Directions:

Fill a glass with ice.

Add 1 ounce of strawberry syrup.

Add 1 ounce of vodka.

Add 6 ounces of sprite.

Add 1 ounce of blue curacao.

Garnish with a strawberry if desired.

Enjoy!

You can easily make this a mocktail for the kids and friends who don't indulge by omitting the alcohol and replacing the curacao with blue gatorade or Hawaiian Punch.

You can find more cocktail recipes here

Reader favorites include:

Goodnight Kiss

Blueberry Vodka Lime Sorbet

Blueberry Vodka Lime Sorbet cools you off while lighting you up at the same time!

You guys, I celebrated my 40th birthday yesterday. I am pretty excited about it too. 40 is the Holy Grail or so I have heard. And I am eager to find out! It is August and it is blazing hot here. So humid that I am not even ashamed to admit, I daydreamed about winter for a few moments.

I can't do much about the weather, but I can find ways to keep my mind busy and cool off a little.
I whipped up a batch of blueberry vodka lime sorbet and enjoyed a dish poolside. That has to be the next best thing to a winter wonderland on a hot day.

Sorbet seems fancy to me. When I was in highschool, I had a part time job at a really lovely place, Glenlaurel Inn in the Hocking Hills. It was pretty sweet for a teenager. I did dishes, earned enough money to go to dozens of concerts, and sometimes the chef would feed me a gourmet meal that included sorbet and an andes mint at the end. As a kid, living in a very rural area in the 1990s, sorbet, andes mints and a coke machine really wowed me. For over 20 years I have fondly recalled that experience of working there and being exposed to culture every time I have had sorbet.

Sorbet seems fancy, but it is actually so deliciously simple to make. Homemade sorbet is a million times better than anything that comes in a container an adding a great vodka to the mix results in a grown up treat that does double duty. It cools you off and fires you up at the same time!

Ingredients:

2 cups of blueberries

2 cups of sugar

2 cups of water

One Lime

1/2 cup of vodka

Directions:

Combine water, sugar and blueberries in a saucepan.

Over medium heat bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer or 30 minutes.

Allow the mixture to cool for 20 minutes.

Pour into a blender and blend for 1 minute.

Add vodka and the juice of one lime.

Blend for 30 seconds.

You can pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer if the seeds from berries bother you. I opted not to do this, as I like a little texture.

Freeze for 4 o 6 hours.

Serve or store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Find more cocktail recipes here

Everyone loves the Bomb Pop Cocktail

Appealing Appetizer Recipes

 

If you are planning a summer party, you need to start thinking about appetizers! I gathered 15 of my favorites from my blogging friends to share with you, just in case you need some snack inspo!

From the best stuffed mushrooms to a gorgeous grilled pizza, this collection of appealing appetizer recipes has a little something for everyone!

I don't know if anyone else does this but sometimes when we go out to dinner I just order the appetizer sampler and make a meal of it. I love to try all of the tasty bites that are offered! I can't resist a good appetizer. This collection has a whole lot of goodies in it. I know you will find a few recipes you love. Be sure to click thru the links to get the whole recipe.

Mushrooms Neptune by The Girl on the Bloor

These creamy seafood stuffed mushrooms are the ultimate appetizer for a party! So delicious and easy to serve.

Easy Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey by Gypsy Plate

Baked brie is always a great idea for a starter. This recipe is sweet, creamy and crunchy, and perfect for spreading!

Raspberry Goat Cheese Bites by Quiche My Grits

Goat cheese has such a great flavor on its own; but complemented by raspberries? It is so appetizing!

Chicken Cranberry Brie Wonton Tacos by Powered by Mom

These little wonton tacos have so many great flavors at play! They might be the star of the show when you serve them!

Seafood Nachos by Cooking with Curls

Nachos are always a good idea for a crowd. Adding seafood makes them feel and taste very elegant!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Through the Fibro

These little pepper bites are stuffed with cream cheese for a great starter to share.

Turkey Taco Cups by Ottawa Mommy Club

Turkey taco cups are bite sized for party food; made with turkey, they are also guilt free. Go ahead and have two!

Caprese Skewers by Low Carb Spark

Simple is always super appealing for appetizers. You can't go wrong with the flavors of caprese when serving a crowd!

Bacon Wrapped Scallops by Summer Yule

Scallops are popular appetizers for good reason; they are delicious. This recipe wraps them in bacon to make them the perfect addition to any spread of food!

Bleu Cheese, Cucumber and Watermelon Appetizers by Amy Casey Cooks

Bleu cheese, cucumber and watermelon come together to make an appetizer that is complex,colorful and so satisfying to serve to guests!

Grilled Olives  by Bakers Beans

Grilled olives make for such an appealing appetizer to offer to guests! They will love the flavor released with the grilling process!

Beef Wellington Bites by Pizzazzerie

Want to serve something small that tastes like the definition of elegance? These beef wellington bites will do the trick, in style!

Cold Marinated Shrimp by Best Appetizer

This recipe is perfect for summer entertaining. No need to heat up the house cooking, you can serve these cold marinated shrimp to rave reviews everytime!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail by Savoring the Good

Spice up shrimp cocktail by giving it a distinctly Mexican flavor. Your guests will love this spin on classic.

Grilled Arugula Pizza by Joy Filled Eats

Slices of grilled arugula pizza are perfect for a garden party, or as a starter to a great BBQ with friends!

Find more yummy appetizer recipes here:

Loaded jalapeno bites

Cold Veggie Pizza

Creepy Halloween Cocktails

 Halloween is near, and that means it is time to start planning some parties, setting the scene with ghoulish decorations, and of course, mixing up some festive drinks! This collection has some completely creepy cocktails that you might want to make this year.

From blood bags that are ghastly, to an oozing green tonic that is sure to set your senses to spook. This round up has so many fun ideas. These are meant for grown ups, so please, if you want to make these and share them, do so responsibly!  Click through the links below for the full recipes.

My easy Pretzel Mummy Snack Idea pairs well with cocktail hour too!

Blood Bag Punch by Gastronom

Camp Crystal Lake Punch by Cheese Curd in Paradise

Halloween Green Sangria by Slow the cook Down

Halloween Sangria by The Forked Spoon

Shimmering Witches Brew by Tikido

Bloody Eyeball Cocktail by Ann’s Entitled Life

Ghostini by Tonya Staab

Halloween Sangria by Basil and Bubbly

Demon Juice Cocktails by Crayons and Cravings 

Halloween Tonic by Ottawa Mommy Club

I have so many fun Halloween ideas on site. If you are looking for more ways to get into the spirit, you might like 25 Deliciously Scary Snacks. Why Not Make a Halloween Tree and let your guests decorate it at the party?

Wild Blueberry Gin Fizzers

Blueberry Gin Fizzers are perfect for summer entertaining.  They are so easy to make, and they have the ideal blend of sweet and tart flavors. 

 I was gifted 8 pounds of beautiful blueberries. My husband will eat them sometimes, the kids don't like them in any capacity. That left me with about 7.5 pounds of berries to use and enjoy. Naturally I had them on my cereal. I added them to oatmeal. I ate them on cake. I baked a small pie.  I froze half of them... I still had blueberries left! What is a girl to do? Why not drink them!?

This cocktail recipe is so easy to make. It is refreshing and tasty, making it perfect for summer entertaining. The flavor of gin is wonderful mixed with blueberries!

Ingredients:

2 ounces of fresh blueberries

Lime wedges

Sprite

Gin; I like Beefeater

Ice

Directions:

With a spoon,  or a muddler, smash the blueberries.

Add ice to the glass.

Add Sprite.

Top with 1 ounce of Beefeater Gin.

Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge into the glass.

Garnish with a lime if desired.

You can find more of my favorite blueberry recipes here.
Find more cocktail recipes here.

8 Charming Champagne Cocktails

Valentine's Day is near, and if that isn't an occasion for celebrating with a little bubbly, then I don't know what is!

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This year, I have 8 charming champagne cocktails to consider creating for my sweetie on Valentine's Day, but I have a feeling that any time we have cause for celebration I will reference this list!

Strawberry Champagne Margarita
Champagne Smash
Champagne Jello Shots
Strawberry Champagne Cocktail
Raspberry Champagne Cocktails
Mock Champagne Punch
Fizzy Julep
Champagne Floats


If Champagne isn't your favorite, you might like my Goodnight Kiss Cocktail recipe.

Which of these champagne cocktails sounds the best to you? Tell me who you would sip these with!?

Popsicles for Adults (Boozy Freezer Pops)

I know summer doesn't officially begin for a few weeks, but, it is HOT already, the kids are out of school, and the mosquitoes are biting at every opportunity. In my eyes, that means it is summer. I have been spending a ton of time in the pool, or poolside with the kids. Sometimes my mind wanders to thoughts of boozy popsicles but the ones at the grocery store are like  $20 for just a small package. Seems kind of excessive for what you are actually getting. So instead of shelling out my  cash I turned to the internet and found a few promising recipes for boozy popsicles to share with you. 

Please click through the link to get the full recipe.

4 Ingredient Raspberry Sangria Popsicles are the perfect afternoon indulgence. They are easy to make and they taste perfect after a sweltering day in the summer heat.

Blood Orange Negroni Pops are elegant and easy enough to make on a whim and wow guests this summer.

Pina Colada Popsicles

Give your day a tropical vibe with these totally indulgent popsicles. I love these almost as much as a pina colada itself!

Easy Mango Pina Colada Pops feel like the perfect substitute for a vacation mid week, tropical vibe included!

Blue Lagoon Cocktail Popsicles are so much fun to make and share with a of legal drinking age friend. 

Blueberry Vodka Lime Sorbet is the perfect way to beat the heat and get a little buzz too.

Which of these boozy popsicle recipes sounds the best to you? I would really appreciate it if you would pin this recipe to your cocktail board or share it on social media.

Reader favorite cocktails include:

Sour Apple Margarita

Night Kings