Pairing Halloween Candy with Your Favorite Spirits
The Halloween holiday isn't just about the kiddos dressing up and collecting free candy from strangers. In fact, it can be a great time to expand your knowledge of boos—well, booze. So, whether you're hosting a party or simply want to get into the spirit of things, check out these recipes to create boolicious adult bevies that are infused or paired with candy, as well as fun cocktails that taste just like your favorite treats.
If You Want to Mix Things Up
Jolly Rancher Vodka Soda (Source)
Ingredients
- 4-6 Jolly Rancher Candies of Each Color
- 4 Ounces of Vodka for Each Color
- 8-12 Ounces Lemon-Lime Soda or Club Soda
Instructions
- Place 4-6 same-color Jolly Rancher candies into a jar or container with a lid. Pour 4 ounces of vodka over the Jolly Ranchers and cover the container with an airtight lid.
- Allow candies to dissolve in the alcohol for about 24 hours. Stir or swirl occasionally to help combine the mixture.
- Fill large/pint glasses with ice.
- Add two ounces of infused vodka to each glass.
- Fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon-lime or club soda.
- Top with Jolly Rancher candies and serve with a straw for sipping.
Optional: Instead of putting candies into the glass, dunk the rim into simple syrup (1:1 water/sugar) and then into crushed Jolly Ranchers.
Twix Cocktail (Source)
Ingredients Per Drink
- Crushed Twix & Sticks for Garnish
- Caramel Syrup
- Chocolate Syrup
- 1/2 Ounce Vodka
- 1 Ounce Baileys Irish Cream Caramel Liqueur
Instructions
- Line a martini glass rim with crushed Twix by dipping the glass in a shallow pool of caramel then the candy.
- Swirl the inside of the glass with caramel and chocolate syrup.
- Use a cocktail shaker to mix the Iiqueur and vodka with ice.
- Strain and pour over the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a TWIX® stick.
If You Want to Keep the Candy Separate
Crushing and infusing not your jam? Simply snack on treats while sipping on drinks. Here are some great ideas from the team at Barsys.
Milky Way + Gin & Tonic
Super sweet meets a touch of bitter for a perfect sense of balance.
- 3 Ounces Gin
- 0.5 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 4 Ounces Tonic Water
- Squeeze of a Lime Wedge
- Serve with Ice
Starbursts + Moscow Mule
Balance the burst of fruity flavors with a refreshing Moscow Mule.
- 4 Ounces Ginger Beer
- 1.5 Ounces Vodka
- Tsp Lime Juice
Milk Duds + Bailey's Hot Chocolate
Chewy candy is no struggle if you mix it with a silky, hot cocktail.
- 2 Ounces Bailey's
- 1 Cup/8 Ounces Hot Chocolate
- Top with Whipped Cream
- Drizzle with Chocolate Sauce
If You Want a Candy-Inspired Drink
Snickers Cocktail (Source)
Ingredients Per Drink
- 1 Teaspoon Chocolate Syrup, or Enough to Drizzle in Glass
- 1½ Ounces Vanilla Vodka
- ½ Ounce Irish Cream Liqueur, Like Bailey's
- ½ Ounce White Chocolate Liqueur
- ½ Ounce Amaretto
- 1 Splash Heavy Cream
- Caramel Sauce Optional, Makes the Drink Very Sweet
Instructions
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a lowball glass. Transfer the glass to the freezer while you prepare the drink.
- To a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice, add vanilla vodka, Irish cream, white chocolate liqueur, amaretto, and heavy cream. Shake well.
- Remove the glass from the freezer and fill it with crushed ice.
- Pour the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass and serve.
Butterfinger Cocktail (Source)
Ingredients Per Drink
- 1 ½ Ounce Butterscotch Liqueur
- 1 ½ Ounce Baileys
- ¾ Ounch Kahlua
Instructions
- Add the butterscotch liqueur, Baileys and Kahlua to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well for 5 to 8 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted.
- Strain and serve into a cocktail glass filled with fresh ice.
- Alternatively, this makes two generous Butterfinger shots!
Optional: Line the rim with chocolate sauce and dip in crushed Butterfinger if you want to incorporate candy after all!
