Good Witch Bad Witch Halloween Cocktails
Last updated on Oct 23, 2024Corrinn McCauleyAre you a good witch or a bad witch? Offer a little light and dark magic this Halloween with our good witch and bad witch cocktail recipes. Whether customers want to tap into their wicked desires or play into their magical daydreams, these cocktails are sure to be popular. To create a special Hallows Eve menu, check out our scary Halloween menu ideas.
Good Witch Cocktail Recipe
Help your patrons float through Halloween like they’re riding a magical bubble with this effervescent pink cocktail. Not all frills, the rose cocktail bitters add depth and complexity. Don’t skip the lustre dust and wand (aka rock candy stick), they add the magic that unlocks the good witch in us all.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3 dashes rose bitters
- 1/2 cup prosecco
- Pinch pink lustre dust
- Pink rock candy stick
Directions
- Chill coupe glass and prosecco.
- Add rose bitters to coupe glass. Swirl to coat glass.
- Add grenadine, lemon juice, prosecco, and pinch of pink lustre dust to coupe glass. Stir gently with cocktail stirrer to combine.
- Garnish with pink rock candy stick.
Bad Witch Cocktail
Drink this green elixir and release your inner bad witch. This spooky green cocktail is the perfect witches' brew to sip on Halloween night. The Midori creates a green hue, and the lustre dust adds a little green sparkle because it’s fun to be wicked.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounce Midori
- 1 ounce white rum
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Ginger beer
- Pinch of green lustre dust
- Amarena cherries
- Cocktail skewer
- Ice
Directions
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add Midori, white rum, and fresh lemon juice to shaker. Shake to combine.
- Fill goblet glass with ice.
- Strain cocktail shaker over ice.
- Top glass off with ginger beer.
- Add pinch of luster dust.
- Stir gently with cocktail stirrer.
- Skewer cherries and garnish.
Good Witch and Bad Witch Cocktail Tutorials
Cast a spell on your customers and keep them coming back for more with our good witch bad witch cocktails. Offering specialty, seasonal drinks is a great way to gain a social media following that translates into sales. Like with any major drinking holiday, operators want to create a safe environment for their patrons to cut loose. Consider instituting angel shots to protect your patrons as they enjoy the revelry on Halloween night.
Related Resources
How to Make a Pumpkin Keg
Fall is the perfect season to get creative with your bar's tap list, and what better way to showcase your fall beer selection than with a pumpkin keg? A pumpkin keg is a fun and festive way to serve your favorite seasonal beverages, such as pumpkin beer or apple cider, while adding a touch of seasonal flair to your bar. Pumpkin Beer Keg Video Check out the video below to learn how to make your own pumpkin keg. We've also included a detailed walkthrough of the entire pumpkin keg process as a reference. <iframe itemprop="embedURL" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xWEaBoQ8MyI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> How to Make a Pumpkin Beer Keg If you’re considering making a pumpkin keg of your own, we’ve created a comprehensive list of instructions to guide you from start to finish. Once your keg is complete, prepare to impress the guests at your Halloween or fall-themed party with your new pumpkin drink dispenser! Pumpkin Keg Materials Before you start making your pumpkin drink dispenser, gather the proper tools and products to do the job correctly. The materials you'll need to make a pumpkin keg include: One large pumpkin Your favorite fall beer or apple cider A sharp knife A spoon with a long handle A reusable beer tap A drill Step-By-Step Pumpkin Keg Instructions Once you've collected the necessary materials, it's time to begin. To successfully make your own pumpkin keg, follow these steps: Remove top: Cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin with a sharp knife and remove the top. Remove insides: Using a spoon, scoop out the inside of the pumpkin. Mark beer tap location: Trace a circle around your beer tap on the lower part of the pumpkin. It should be low enough that it can reach the dregs of your beer. Create beer tap hole: Drill a hole through the circle that you outlined. Thin pumpkin wall: On the inside of the pumpkin, scrape away some of the meat near the hole until the wall is slightly thinner, so your reusable beer tap can fit. Expand beer tap hole: Enlarge the hole until your beer tap fits snugly. Secure beer tap: Insert the tap into the hole and secure it on the inside of the pumpkin. Decorate the pumpkin: If you have an artistic friend or staff member, you can also carve a design into it. Just be sure not to go all the way through the pumpkin, or the beer will leak out. Fill the keg: Add your beer into the pumpkin, put the top back on, and start serving beer from your pumpkin keg. Pumpkin Keg Drinks Once the keg is complete, you'll need to decide what goes inside it. Below, we've included a list of what to fill a pumpkin keg with: Seasonal beers: Since your keg will likely add a slight pumpkin flavor to your drinks, we recommend filling it with one of your signature fall beers. Hard cider: If you’d prefer not to serve beer, consider filling your keg with hard cider. This popular alcoholic drink can be enjoyed year-round but is a perfect complement to other fall flavors on your menu. Pumpkin Keg FAQ If you've never made a pumpkin keg before or are looking for additional guidance, we've included a list of frequently asked questions below: How to Use All Parts of a Pumpkin To reduce clean-up time and ensure that nothing goes to waste, consider putting every part of your pumpkin to use. Below, we've listed some of the most popular ways to use discarded parts of the pumpkin: Pumpkin pulp: The insides of the pumpkin can be used as an ingredient in pumpkin pie, pumpkin butter, or even pumpkin dog treats. Pumpkin seeds: The seeds of a pumpkin can be added to trail mix or used as a salad topping. Additionally, the seeds can be roasted to create a delicious bar snack. Pumpkin flesh: Once you’ve peeled the skin off of your pumpkin, it can be boiled or even roasted. This part of the pumpkin is a key ingredient in dishes such as pumpkin soup and pumpkin puree. Where to Buy a Spigot for a Pumpkin Keg Reusable beer taps can be purchased from many different stores and websites. Typically made from plastic, these spigots can be inserted into your pumpkin and sealed from the other side, allowing you to dispense drinks from your pumpkin keg. Additionally, once you're finished with the keg, you can wash the spigot and save it for your next Halloween party. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your Halloween party or just a unique decoration, a pumpkin keg can add some seasonal flair to your party. In addition to its unique look, a pumpkin keg will keep drinks cold and provide a slight pumpkin flavor, perfectly complementing your fall beers and hard ciders. If you’re looking for an interesting and fun decorative piece for your seasonally themed party, a pumpkin beer keg is a great option.
Top 10 Cocktail Mixers Every Bar Needs
Using the right mixer is just as important as the right type of alcohol when crafting the perfect cocktail. Every bar worth its salt knows that having an assortment of mixers is essential for success. These versatile ingredients are the secret behind some of the most popular and delicious drinks out there. Whether you're a seasoned bartender or a novice mixologist looking to up your game, having a selection of high-quality cocktail mixers is a must. We've compiled a list of the 10 best cocktail mixers you should always have on hand to take your drinks from ordinary to extraordinary. Shop All Bar Drink Mixes Check out the best cocktail mixers: 1. Sweet and Sour Mix 2. Margarita Mix 3. Bloody Mary Mix 4. Mojito Mix 5. Daiquiri Mix 6. Martini Mix 7. Old Fashioned Mix 8. Pina Colada Mix 9. Fruit Purees 10. Cocktail Shrubs 1. Sweet and Sour Mix Whether you're mixing up classic cocktails or experimenting with new recipes, having a sweet and sour mix on hand is essential for any bar. Its lemon-lime flavor adds a tart and tangy kick to cocktails, making them more enjoyable for those who prefer a bit of acidity in their beverages. Using a sweet and sour mix saves time and effort in the bar setting, as it eliminates the need to source fresh citrus without sacrificing flavor. Sweet and sour mix can be combined with virtually any spirit but the most common are vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey. Its versatility is unmatched, as it can be used in an endless number of popular drinks, including whiskey sours, amaretto sours, Long Island iced teas, and margaritas. 2. Margarita Mix Keeping a quality margarita mix on hand provides a convenient solution for bustling bars aiming to serve up delicious and consistent margaritas without the need for extensive preparation. Delivering a sweet and tangy lime flavor, simply pour the mix into a shaker with tequila and ice, shake it up, and pour the mixture into a glass for a quick and easy margarita. Using a margarita mix ensures that every margarita you serve has a consistent flavor profile, making it easier to maintain quality and customer satisfaction. Margarita mixes can also be used to make frozen margaritas or can be combined with fruit purees to make a variety of different flavored margaritas. You can also opt to use rum or vodka to make frozen daiquiris and other tropical cocktails. 3. Bloody Mary Mix A quality Bloody Mary mix is essential if you want to impress your customers with a top-notch brunch experience. Look for a mix that strikes the right balance in terms of consistency - you don't want it to be too watery or too thick. The perfect Bloody Mary mix should pour smoothly and coat the glass evenly, setting the stage for a visually appealing cocktail. When selecting a Bloody Mary mix for your bar, consider the spice level. A traditional Bloody Mary should have a kick that is just the right level of spice to appeal to the masses. There are extra spicy mix options available for a bolder drink, or you can customize your traditional mix by adding ingredients like jalapenos and citrus to cater to different taste preferences and create customized cocktails. You can also switch out the type of liquor to offer more drinks – use tequila for a Bloody Maria, bourbon for a Bloody Derby, rum for a Cubanita, and gin to make a Red Snapper. 4. Mojito Mix Almost every bartender has experienced being in the weeds and getting the dreaded mojito order. Compared to other drinks, mojitos can be time-consuming to make correctly from scratch. Enter mojito mix – the ultimate shortcut to creating refreshing and flavorful mojitos without the hassle. One of the biggest advantages of using a mojito mix is that it eliminates the need to muddle mint. Say goodbye to the tedious task of crushing mint leaves to release their essential oils – with a quality mojito mix, you can achieve that classic minty flavor with ease. Not only does mojito mix save you from the laborious muddling process, but it also eliminates the mess and time associated with making mojitos from scratch. With a reliable mojito mix on hand, you can whip up perfectly balanced mojitos in no time, without sacrificing that authentic flavor that makes this cocktail a favorite among patrons. 5. Daiquiri Mix If you run a beachside bar, serving up refreshing daiquiris and margaritas is a must. Daiquiri mix offers a delicious blend of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a versatile option for creating a wide range of cocktails, including classic or frozen strawberry daiquiris and margaritas, with ease. All you need to add is rum, and you're ready to serve up these popular cocktails to your patrons. Using a daiquiri mix saves time and effort in the bar setting, as it eliminates the need to source fresh strawberries and citrus without sacrificing flavor. With this mixer on hand, you can quickly and efficiently prepare large quantities of refreshing frozen cocktails, ensuring that your customers are satisfied and your bar operation runs smoothly. 6. Martini Mix Gone are the days of spending precious time measuring and mixing various ingredients to achieve that perfect balance of flavors. With martini mixes, making a quality martini has never been easier. With options ranging from the classic dirty martini to the indulgent espresso martini and the sophisticated Manhattan, there's a martini mix to suit every customer. With the right martini mix, you can simply mix, shake, and pour your way to a delicious cocktail in no time. These mixes deliver speed and convenience without sacrificing the fresh flavor that every martini lover craves. Whether you prefer a classic gin martini or a fruity vodka martini, these mixes can help you achieve the perfect cocktail every time. Some mixes can even be used to create wine-tinis, a refreshing twist on the traditional martini that combines crisp white wine with a splash of mixer. 7. Old Fashioned Mix Creating a classic Old Fashioned requires precise ingredients and perfect mixing for the ideal dilution. Save time on preparation and still enjoy a fresh, authentic taste by opting for an Old Fashioned mixer. With just whiskey and ice required, this mixer ensures you get the exact Old Fashioned you desire consistently. A good Old Fashioned mix should strike a balance between sweetness, bitterness, and aromatic complexity, enhancing the overall drinking experience. Many top-quality Old Fashioned mixes are crafted with a blend of sugar, bitters, and citrus flavors, creating a well-rounded profile that pairs beautifully with bourbon or rye whiskey. Many Old Fashioned mixes can even be used beyond creating the classic American cocktail – try mixing with brandy, tequila, or spiced rum and ice to create unique cocktails for your menu. 8. Pina Colada Mix Creamy, tropical, and the perfect addition to any summer vacation, offering pina coladas is a must for any beach, pool, or tiki bar. A pina colada mix combines the coconut and pineapple flavors without the hassle of preparing fresh ingredients, making it perfect for creating batch cocktails in your frozen drink machine for fast service. You can easily whip up this tropical favorite with pina colada mixes by simply blending the mix with rum and ice to create a refreshing frozen pina colada. But the versatility of pina colada mixes doesn't stop there. Beyond the traditional cocktail, these mixes can also be used to create a variety of drinks, including smoothies and other tropical cocktails like a mango colada or Painkiller. This added flexibility makes pina colada mixes a valuable addition to any bar's inventory, offering endless possibilities for creative and delicious beverages. 9. Fruit Purees Enhance your cocktails with the vibrant flavors of fresh fruits without the added expenses and time-consuming preparation. Fruit purees offer the same fresh taste with the added benefits of shelf stability and no need for muddling. With fruit purees, you can easily create classic cocktails like bellinis, sangrias, daiquiris, and margaritas, as well as experiment with unique concoctions to impress your customers. They come in a variety of fruit options from strawberry and peach to passion fruit and mango. Not only are fruit purees perfect for alcoholic beverages, but they are also great for making alcohol-free drinks such as lemonade and Italian sodas. This means you can cater to all types of customers, whether they're looking for a refreshing mocktail or a sophisticated cocktail creation. 10. Cocktail Shrubs Cocktail shrubs, also known as drinking vinegars, are a mix of fruit, sugar, and vinegar that are left to infuse and create a complex flavor profile. The vinegar adds a bright acidity that balances out the sweetness of the fruit, bringing sweet, tangy, and tart notes to a beverage. Common fruits used in shrubs include berries, citrus, and stone fruits, but the possibilities are endless. Shrubs are highly concentrated so typically only a few drops are needed to elevate a cocktail. When it comes to using shrubs in cocktails, the options are limitless. They can be mixed with spirits like gin, vodka, or rum to create vibrant and well-balanced drinks. Try adding a splash of shrub to a classic cocktail like a margarita or a mojito for a refreshing twist. Cocktail Mixer Brands When it comes to stocking your bar with essential cocktail mixers, it's important to consider the brands that offer quality and flavor. A well-crafted cocktail can make or break a customer's experience, so it's crucial to choose the right mixer brands that will elevate your drink menu. Here are five top cocktail mixer brands that have earned their reputation in the industry for consistently delivering high-quality cocktail ingredients: 1. Finest Call Known for their wide range of flavors, Finest Call premium cocktail mixers are a popular choice among bartenders. Whether you're looking to create classic cocktails or experiment with new concoctions, Finest Call offers a reliable and consistent taste. Designed with bartenders in mind, each bottle features an easy pour top and a closure cap to reduce messes, and the long bottle neck and pourer help provide a perfect pour every time. Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, purees, juice, concentrates, syrups Sizes Available: 1 liter and 1 gallon bottles Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes See what our customers are saying about Finest Call cocktail mixers! 2. Regal With top-tier tastes at a lower cost than leading brands, Regal is a reliable source for all your bar essentials. Their mixers are made with natural flavors and real fruit juices, ensuring a vibrant and authentic flavor profile. Their mixer bottles are compatible with liquor pourers and fit perfectly in bar rails for quick service. Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups Sizes Available: 1 liter bottles Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: No See what our customers are saying about Regal cocktail mixers! 3. Master of Mixes Master of Mixes has established itself as a trusted brand among bartenders and offers a wide selection of cocktail mixers to cater to any bar's needs. Their mixers are carefully crafted using premium fruits and natural sweeteners, resulting in a balanced and delicious taste. Their easy-to-squeeze 375 mL bottles perform well in fast-paced environments and feature an aerodynamic closure design that provides portion control with a smooth shut-off action. Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups Sizes Available: 375 mL and 1 liter bottles Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes See what our customers are saying about Master of Mixes cocktail mixers! 4. Monin Monin is renowned for its range of premium syrups that can be used in a variety of applications from coffees to cocktails to lemonades. In addition to their flavoring syrups, they also offer a line of craft cocktail mixers to use behind the bar. Their products are made from all-natural ingredients, including pure cane sugar and real fruit, and are available in a vast array of flavors, giving bartenders the freedom to experiment and create signature drinks. Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups Sizes Available: 750 mL, 1 liter, and 1/2 gallon bottles Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes See what our customers are saying about Monin cocktail mixers! 5. Real Cocktail Ingredients True to its name, Real Cocktail Ingredients offers puree-infused syrups made from real fruit and natural flavors. They source fresh ingredients from all over the world to deliver authentic flavor and quality, allowing bartenders to create high-quality cocktails with ease. Their product line includes classic flavors like cream of coconut and strawberry to more adventurous flavors like guava and lychee. Each syrup is packaged in an easy-to-use squeeze bottle that maximizes handling and dispensing while keeping the bar mess-free. Mix Type: Syrups Sizes Available: 16.9 fl. oz. bottles Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: No See what our customers are saying about Real cocktail mixers! Cocktail mixers ensure drink consistency and streamline drink orders, making them great for high-volume bars, catering events, or operations with high bartender turnover. Investing in quality mixers can be cost-effective in the long run, as it eliminates the need to purchase multiple ingredients separately and can reduce food costs and waste.
Easy Ways to Update Your Cocktail Menu
Creating a well-balanced, exciting cocktail menu takes time and the occasional adjustment. Keeping things fresh and exciting for your regulars can keep them coming back, and it’s a great way to attract new customers to your bar. Staying aware of changing trends in bars can help you keep your offerings feeling modern while staying true to your brand. If you’re looking for a few easy updates, try incorporating the suggestions below into your drink menu. If you want to skip ahead to a specific section, click the links below: Create Savory Culinary Cocktails Cocktail and Food Pairings Grow Your Own Ingredients Incorporate Tea into Cocktails Medicinal and Herbal Cocktails Create Savory Culinary Cocktails Taking the savory route allows mixologists to balance flavors similar to how a chef creates a plate of food. While this isn’t necessarily a new concept (think of a spicy bloody mary and salt-rimmed margarita), bartenders are finding new and creative ways to play with savory flavors. Cocktails featuring vegetable juices, like carrot or beet, not only look great, but they can add unique flavor elements to your menu. You’ll even see cocktails that incorporate ingredients like roasted red peppers or spicy jalapenos. What Is Fat-Washing? Fat-washing is the process of using a fat such as butter, duck fat, or oil to infuse savory flavors into a cocktail. To fat-wash, mix a liquid fat (such as melted butter) into your spirit of choice. Allow the mixture to sit out at room temperature for several hours before chilling in the refrigerator. Once the fat solidifies, skim it off the top of the drink. The spirit is now infused with the fat flavoring. Here are a few savory cocktails to get you started: Bullshot: vodka, beef bouillon or broth, Worcestshire sauce Rosemary Salty Dog: gin, grapefruit juice, rosemary syrup Thyme Lemonade: gin, fresh thyme, lemon juice, sugar Cocktail and Food Pairings Similar to the idea of wine pairings, cocktail pairings provide limitless options because of their diverse nature. Here are a few food pairing ideas for classic cocktails: Margarita: ceviche, jerk chicken, samosas, or pulled pork Gin and Tonic: smoked salmon, charcuterie board, curry, or fish and chips Martini: shrimp cocktail, hummus and chips, grilled fish, or stuffed mushrooms Mimosa: scrambled eggs, risotto, lobster, or bagel and lox Old Fashioned: bacon-wrapped dates, pork chops, spiced and roasted pecans, or duck confit Grow Your Own Ingredients Creating a hyperlocal source for your ingredients is an on-trend way to appeal to your environmentally or health-conscious consumers. Growing your own fruits, herbs, and vegetables is cost-effective and allows you to gain total control over the handling of your produce. If it’s feasible for your bar or restaurant, consider maintaining a small garden plot either on your property or somewhere local. You can even try breeding your plants to yield unique flavor qualities or preserve heirloom integrity. And while it may not be viable to grow enough produce to cover the needs of your entire food menu, the small quantities required for cocktails makes the endeavor a lot more manageable. Incorporate Tea into Cocktails From earl gray to chamomile, teas are trickling into our cocktails with their warm, aromatic flavors. Hot or cold, tea pairs well with a variety of different liquors, and the subtle flavors won’t overpower the nuances of top shelf selections. As with many cocktail trends, tea is not a new ingredient for mixologists. In fact, most old school party punch recipes include tea as a major component. But while the old classics can serve as a nod to the past, you may also see more modern interpretations popping up on menus around you. Here are a few tea-infused cocktails to get you started: Black Tea Rum Punch: white rum, loose black tea, pineapple juice, apricot liqueur, simple syrup, lime and lemon juice, bitters Green Tea Mojito: white rum, lime juice, sugar, brewed and chilled green tea, mint Chamomile Tequila Sour: tequila, chamomile simple syrup, lime Medicinal and Herbal Cocktails Using apothecary-inspired ingredients isn’t a new concept, but rather a modern interpretation of an old belief. That’s because many believe that cocktails first got their start as mixtures intended to treat ailments. Tonic water and bitters are two extremely common cocktail ingredients, and they both found their beginnings in medicine. The juniper flavor of gin likely wound up there because juniper was traditionally used to treat a wide array of health problems. It's the same story with Fernet and Sambuca, which both originated as digestifs and are still believed to play some role in aiding digestion after meals While the herbal remedies that find their way into today’s cocktails are more for flavor than anything else, the folkloric quality of the ingredients contributes to the mood of the drink and tone of the overall experience. There’s any number of reasons for the resurgence of interest in medicinal cocktails including the uprising of health drinks like kombucha or the desire to incorporate unconventional ingredients into culinary cocktails. Here are a few common medicinal cocktails: Hot Toddy: bourbon, honey, lemon juice, hot water Bees Knees: gin, lemon juice, honey Hot Buttered Rum: spiced rum, brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, hot water While drinking alcohol isn’t necessarily healthy, indulging in the occasional artisanal cocktail can be good for the soul. A focus on high-quality ingredients, new flavor combinations, and a touch of herbal remedy can help boost profits from your drink menu. Offering unique cocktails that can’t be found anywhere else can be a big draw for your establishment. So, while you may want to keep some of the old classics, embracing some new approaches to the way you develop your cocktails can provide guests with an exciting experience.