3 Spooky Cocktails for Halloween

halloween cocktails littlekokomo.comI tend to believe there are 2 types of people in the world: Christmas* people and Halloween people (* read: Holiday). I’m definitely one of the latter, so I like to go all out for this time of year. I like to cram in as many horror movie nights, costume parties, Rocky Horror Picture Show outings as I can.  Last year I found two great Halloween-themed drinks on the web, so I decided to share them, as well as an easy classic option. Apologies for the low-quality instagram pictures! please check the original recipes so they get full credit!

halloween cocktails littlekokomo.comEyeball Punch
A clear punch bowl is great for showing off the eyeballs, but putting them into individual glasses works well too.
Spooky factor: 5/5
Effort level: Moderate, depending on how available canned lychees are
Tastes like: a light, fruity and refreshing summer drink.
See full recipe here

halloween cocktails littlekokomo.comDark and Stormy
When you’re short on time/lazy/want to get straight to the point, the trusty Dark and Stormy is always a crowd pleaser. Make sure to get ginger beer, and not ginger ale to get that extra bite (they sell this brand at walmart, but the artisanal ones are great if you can find them). Don’t skip the lime juice! substituting it with lemon just doesn’t do it, in my opinion.
Spooky factor: 0 but add a gummy worm and it becomes a 2/5!
Effort level: Easy. Easy like Sunday morning
Taste like: a good ginger candy, nice and spicy
See full recipe herehalloween cocktails littlekokomo.comShrunken Heads in Cider
Find a nice big pot to serve it in. The more it looks like a cauldron, the better.  I found it worked best by placing it somewhere convenient with a ladle and having guests serve themselves, so that they get to see the “shrunken heads” you spent so much time prepping and carving.
Spooky factor: 4/5
Effort level: Very High. Takes about 2 hours with baking time, so not something you can do last-minute.
Tastes like: Apple pie. It’s so damn good! Anyone who loves fresh apple cider will really enjoy this.
See full recipe here 

Bar Kabinet

When it comes going out, I’m not really a club person (long line-ups, bottle service, painful high heels… enough said). I’ll go to the occasional pub once in a while, but I’m not crazy about the ambiance of sports fans and being surrounded by TV screens. Bar Kabinet is my kinda place.  Last fall, the inviting glow attracted me into this little nook of a bar, and I have been drawn to it ever since. Located in the Plateau/Mile End area of Montreal, it’s easily accessible and makes for the perfect after-dinner drinks spot. Luckily the inside is just as cozy as the exterior promises.
Bar Kabinet Montreal

Bar KabinetBar Kabinet is inspired by Imperial Russia, both in the drinks and the decor. With ambient lighting and framed pictures of Tolstoy and Rasputin, it feels like you’ve discovered a secret time portal, à la Midnight in Paris, except in Moscow. They import foreign liquors such as Cachaça and Fernet to give their drinks a unique twist. I really loved the Casarah drink: a sweet mix of pureed strawberries, lime and mint with distilled sugarcane syrup. I’d also recommend the Filoettovvy (which translates to violet-coloured, since it’s tinted with beet juice) and the Chay Kabinet II (a cocktail with a splash of black tea for flavour). Be sure to check it out if you’re in the Montreal area. Take note that it is the size of a shoebox, so best to keep it to one-on-one dates or small groups.

Casarah on left, Yuri Havana on right
Casarah on left, Yuri Havana on right
Bar Kabinet Montreal
Vintage fringe lamps complete the decor

Website: bardatcha.com/kabinet
Address: 98 Avenue Laurier W, Montreal QC