Top 15 Spooky Cocktails to Try This Halloween

Halloween is a truly magical time of the year, and not just for kids. It represents the shifting of seasons and the beginning of the holiday season. It's also a perfect excuse for grown-ups to dress up and indulge in delicious appetizers and boozy drinks.

Finding balance during this season can be tricky, but it's possible to enjoy some festive cocktails (or mocktails for those who don't drink) without completely throwing your healthy habits out the window. To help you, we've compiled a list of our top spooky cocktails with a healthy twist that you can try this Halloween.

Tips For Healthy Cocktails

With a few adjustments, you can make your cocktails a little more blood sugar-friendly without sacrificing flavor. Here are some tips:

• Be mindful of sugar: Many traditional cocktails are loaded with sugars from syrups, mixers, liqueur, and sodas. Instead, you can use seltzer water or low-sugar mixers (like those sweetened with alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit).

• Use fresh ingredients: Opt for using fresh fruits and herbs in your cocktails to add flavor without the added sugar.

• Watch your portion size: Stick to one or two drinks maximum and avoid overdoing the alcohol or the empty calories.

• Choose lower-calorie, lower-sugar alcohols: Vodka, wine, tequila, mezcal, hard kombucha, or seltzer are all good options, although you can make other types of alcohol work by minimizing other high-sugar ingredients.

Staying hydrated and eating well while drinking is also important. Try to drink a glass of water between each cocktail, and don't go to a party on an empty stomach. Fiber and protein can slow alcohol absorption and help you keep blood sugar balanced so you feel better the next day.

It's also worth mentioning that alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation. Current CDC recommendations are to limit alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, so don't forget about non-alcoholic options, too.

15 Healthy Halloween Cocktail Recipes

Here are our favorite Halloween-themed cocktails with a healthier twist for you to try this holiday season. 

1. Black Magic Cocktail

The Black Magic Cocktail from the Spruce Eats is equal parts spooky and delicious. The original recipe calls for grenadine and lemon-lime soda, but you can swap Zevia Lemon-Lime Twist to lower the sugar content. Find the original recipe here.

2. Pumpkin Spice Kombucha Cocktail

Pumpkin is the quintessential Halloween ingredient, so adding it to your cocktail with a bit of prosecco just makes sense. Pumpkin spice kombucha adds flavor, fizz, and gut-health-benefiting probiotics. The original recipe calls for a sugar rim, but you can leave that out and still enjoy. You can find the recipe here.

3. Bloody Mimosa

Swap out orange juice for antioxidant-rich blood orange juice in this Halloween spin on a classic from the Kitchn. You can easily make a pitcher or a punch bowl of these for a fun party recipe, and juicing your blood oranges adds extra nutrition without the added sugar. Find the original recipe here:

4. Spooky Sangria 

Sangria can leave you with a headache because of all the sugar, but you can change the nutrition profile with a few swaps. The Spruce Eats has a low-sugar sangria recipe that leaves out the simple syrup and high-sugar juice and uses fresh fruit and rosemary for a fresh yet delicious drink. Add muddled blackberries to darken and bump up the Halloween vibe.

5. Witch's Brew Cocktail

This cocktail recipe is a simple three-ingredient blend of matcha powder, vodka, and low-sugar cream soda. Matcha is loaded with antioxidants, and although many recipes use standard cream soda, you can swap Olipop or Zevia Cream Soda to make it more blood sugar-friendly. Find the recipe on the Picky Eater Blog.

6. Corpse Reviver

Originally a cocktail dating back to the Prohibition era, Corpse Revivers were initially concocted as a remedy for those nursing a hangover from the previous night. While we don't necessarily endorse that approach, the name is perfectly suited for a Halloween gathering. You can find a recipe here.

7. Bloody Mule Cocktail

A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this Halloween version uses a splash of pomegranate juice with ginger beer; you can find low or no-sugar ginger beer options like Reed's No Sugar. Mix 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz pomegranate juice in a copper mug. Top with ice and garnish with a lime wedge. 

8. Blood-Red Cosmo

Slightly sweet and the color of blood, the Cosmo is perfect for a Halloween party. Swap out the sugary cranberry juice for unsweetened cranberry juice, and add some blood orange bitters for an extra kick. It's easy to make with just four ingredients and takes only five minutes. You can find a basic Cosmo recipe here.

9. Bloody Mary

Look in the mirror and say "Bloody Mary" three times, and you may just summon this classic cocktail with a spooky twist. Instead of using store-bought bloody mary mix, try a DIY version like this one. Add fun garnishes like pickled eyeballs (olives) or a celery stick "witch's broom." Serve in a tall glass with ice, and enjoy.

10. Wicked Potion

A bewitching twist on the classic vodka soda, this wicked potion uses a splash of Blackberry Lemonade Shrub from Little Apple Treats. Shrub is an apple cider vinegar-based syrup that adds a tangy and fruity flavor to cocktails. Think of it as a healthier Halloween punch. Mix 2 oz vodka, 1 oz shrub, and soda water in a glass with ice. Add in some spooky dry ice for a smoky effect.

11. Spooky Hard Cider

Add a touch of Halloween magic to your favorite hard cider by rimming the glass with black salt and adding a shot of pomegranate juice for extra flavor and a spooky red haze. Garnish with plastic spiders or eyeball ice cubes for an extra creepy touch.

12. Dark and Stormy

A dark and stormy night calls for a dark and stormy cocktail. Mix ginger beer (substitute Reed's No Sugar if you would like), dark rum, and a splash of lime juice in a glass with ice for this classic Halloween drink. Find a basic recipe here.

13. Morgue-A-Rita

Margaritas are a staple for any fiesta, and Halloween is no exception. While there are a lot of variations of a spookified version of the margarita online, most have a lot of added juice and sugar, so just keep it simple. Use fresh lime juice and skip the store-bought margarita mix. To add a spooky touch, rim the glass with black salt and use frozen cranberries as "eyeballs" in your drink.

14. Apple Spice Mocktail

For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, this apple spice mocktail is perfect for the fall season. Using an apple cider shrub base mixed with sparkling water, add in some cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for an added touch of fall.

15. Hot Toddy

This may not be the spookiest cocktail, but it may come in handy if trick-or-treating on a chilly Halloween night. Mix hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice for a comforting and warm drink. You can also add in some cinnamon sticks or cloves for extra flavor. Find a classic recipe here.

Stay Festive and Manage your Blood Sugar Levels this Season with Signos

Enjoying holiday parties with cocktails with your favorite ghouls and goblins is still possible while keeping your metabolic health in check. Balance is all about finding healthier alternatives for your favorite Halloween cocktails while satisfying your cravings.

With the Signos app paired with a continuous glucose monitor, you can easily track your glucose levels and receive real-time feedback on how different foods and drinks affect your body. Learn more about how Signos can improve your health here, or take a quick quiz to find out if Signos is a good fit for you.