Build a Better: Halloween cocktail

Halloween for adults more often takes the form of drinks and dinner than trick-or-treating, but that doesn’t mean your customers have to forfeit their fond memories of candy.  Candy-inspired cocktails at numerous restaurants are offering guests a creative taste of nostalgia. For example, popular drinks at NoMa Social in New Rochelle, NY, include the Gummy Bear (less than 150 calories per cocktail) made with Stoli Raspberry Vodka, a splash of peach schnapps, club soda and fresh peaches.

At Buddy V’s Ristorante in Las Vegas, candy-flavored cocktails include the Peanut Butter Jersey and the Mounds Bar Martini. Both drinks are garnished with mini versions of the candy bars that inspired them.

In Chicago, bartender Jennifer Knott at 312 Chicago has created the Mounds Over Apennine also featuring the flavors of chocolate, coconut and almonds. Her cocktail is garnished with cocoa powder and crushed almonds.

Seasonal candy corn inspired a specialty drink at the Bookstore Bar and Café in Seattle. Their Candy Corn Old Fashioned features housemade candy corn simple syrup. The cocktail is garnished with candy corn, a cherry and a lemon slice.  

Elsewhere, Halloween cocktails are inspired by pop culture. At South Water Kitchen in Chicago, head bartender Dan Rook has created a Zombie riff called the Whitewalker, based on the classic cocktail first popularized in the 1930s. Among its ingredients are two types of rum, pineapple juice, cinnamon syrup and fresh lemon juice. Cocktails served at Fleming’s Prime Steak House & Wine Bar locations for the Halloween James Bond Dinner ($95) include the James Bond 007 Martini. Guests are invited to dress up in spy-worthy attire and enjoy a five-course meal paired with cocktails.

Contact Gail Bellamy at [email protected].
Follow her on Twitter: @gailbellamyrh