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Halloween’s just a few days away, and we’re extra lucky this year: it falls on a Monday. This may, at first, seem more like wicked timing than a stroke of good fortune, but having the holiday on a Monday means that you can celebrate all weekend long and carry on straight through Monday (we already OK’d it with your boss). Whether that sounds like a terrifyingly fine time or a prelude to a hangover nightmare is all in how you approach the revelry. Should you need suggestions, proffered here are two scary good drinking ideas for imbibing out on the town, and a couple for your home parties. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Halloween Drinks On the Town
The Black Blood of the Earth, Teacher’s Lounge: With a name that sounds directly out of a Hammer horror film from the late ’60s, there are few cocktails carrying a moniker as eerie as this mixture of bourbon, Punt e’ Mes vermouth, Cardamom bitters and the herb infused Czech digestif Becherovka. It also happens there are few places as much fun on Halloween weekend as the Teacher’s, where they love to celebrate the day. They are closed on Monday, so plan to head over this weekend (in costume, of course). 

Princess Angeline, Miller’s Guild: This unnerving number (not in flavor, just in story) is a riff on Seattle history, named after the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle himself. Princess Angeline, legend goes, is the very one whose ghost haunts the Pike Place Market. With Oola Smoked Whiskey, Cassis, and Rossbacher herbal liqueur, sipping the drink won’t cause you a fright. Unless you order after Halloween, that is: it’s a limited-time special through October 31st.

Halloween Drinks At Home

Pumpkin Cider, Seattle Cider Company: Staying in this Halloween? Try this seasonal local cider, great for all fall occasions until it trots off like the headless horseman at November’s end. Like all the flavored Seattle Cider Co. ciders I’ve had, the flavor doesn’t overwhelm; it’s been fermented with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves, but they’re light on the tongue, and it ends with a lovely treat of pumpkin.

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail
One of my Halloween traditions for many years was to watch the Tim Burton movie that shares this drink’s name, while having a few of these. It’s a great tradition, and you can follow it with me if you want. While the fresh mint’s not as abundant as a couple months ago, you can still track it down. You should also track down Seattle Distilling Company gin here, to keep the ghouls and ghosts happy. You’ll need:

>>Ice cubes
>>1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
>>3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
>>1/2 ounce simple syrup 
>>2-1/2 ounces Seattle Distilling Company gin
>>1/2 ounce apricot liqueur

1. Add the mint, lemon juice, and simple syrup the syrup to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker. Using a muddler or hefty wooden spoon, muddle well. 2. Fill the cocktail shaker or glass halfway with ice cubes. Add the gin and apricot liqueur. Shake well. 3. Strain into a large cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint.