Sure, Halloween is about jack-o-lanterns, costumes, and the gluttonous consumption of sweets. But let's face it, in South Florida, it's all about the boooooze. This year, your favorite haunts are shaking up libations sure to get you in the spirit of spooky season.
Luckily for us, even if it's not cold and windy, there are still plenty of spooky libations to celebrate the month's favorite holiday.
From horror movie-inspired concoctions to bewitching elixirs of tequila and pumpkin, these spooky drinks are sure to give you the heebie-jeebies — and a solid buzz.
Here are some fun and festive cocktails to get your spookiest sips on in Miami:
Area 31 is spook-a-fying pumpkin spice with their "Pumpkin to Talk About" cocktail served in a skull goblet.
Courtesy of Area 31
Area 31
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami305-424-5234
area31restaurant.comTake the hotel elevator to the 16th floor and ask the barkeep for "One Good Scare" ($18). Served in a skeleton-arm glass, this blood-red drink combines vodka, fresh lime juice, grenadine, simple syrup, pineapple juice, and a lychee eyeball garnish. Pumpkin lovers can also sip on "Pumpkin to Talk About" ($18), a liquid treat comprised of grenadine, Pappa's Pilar dark rum, heavy cream, Whistle Pig maple syrup, and pumpkin spice.
Esotico
1600 NE First Ave., Miami305-800-8454
esoticomiami.comEsotico is invoking the spirit of Don the Beachcomber with spooky riffs on classic tiki drinks. Offerings include the "El Diablo," a blend of mezcal, tequila, fruit, and citrus juice finished with ginger beer, and the "El Zombi," made using the bar's signature rum blend, mezcal, homemade orgeat, and spices. For the truly brave, venture into the Esotico's speakeasy, the Kaona Room, for the "Ghost." Limited to one per guest, this spirit-forward tippler combines several types of Caribbean rums, fresh lime, a few drops of the green fairy, bitters, and an elixir of wild spices and West Indies-style falernum.
Slurp, slurp, slurp the "Clarice" at the Commodore this October.
The Commodore at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Gramps
176 NW 24th St., Miami855-732-8992
gramps.comThroughout October, Gramps is offering their "Nightmare on 24th Street" cocktail menu. Barflies can imbibe from a selection of drinks inspired by Halloween classics like a "Pumpkin Head" whiskey libation blended with housemade apple cordial and citrus; "Tally Me Banana," a sumptuous combination of rum, banana liqueur, Rumchata, and pineapple; and "Leatherface," a killer cocktail take on ranch water made with tequila and Liquid Death lime sparkling water spiced up with a hint of cayenne salt.
Minnow Bar
660 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-534-9600
seawellmiami.com/minnow-barIf you're looking for a trick, opt for the whisky espresso martini at Minnow Bar. Topped with a ghost marshmallow, this deceptively strong cocktail uses whiskey, coffee liqueur, cold brew, and Demerara syrup, double strained and finished with a layer of Baileys. For a treat, order the pumpkin shot, a tequila-based libation served with a black salt rim and gummy eyeball.
The Commodore at the Ritz-Carlton
3300 SW 27th Ave., Miami305-644-4680
ritzcarlton.comStep inside the Commodore's Haunted Mansion, where the macabre comes in sippable form. We recommend the "Clarice," inspired by the movie The Silence of the Lambs, aptly concocted with Havana Club blanco, chianti wine, and fava beans. The menu, created by Gio Gutierrez of Chat Chow TV, includes the "Wicked," a bewitching melange of Ilegal mezcal, Chartreuse, lime, agave, and a dash of Midori, and the pumpkin-spice martini that fuses vodka, Cazadores cafe liqueur, espresso, and pumpkin spice syrup.
Moxy South Beach
915 Washington Ave., Miami Beach305-600-4292
marriott.com/en-usThe Moxy South Beach's Serena and Bar Moxy will be paying homage to its Mexican theme with a Dia de los Muertos-themed cocktail. To celebrate, head over for the "Muerte Negra Margarita," a thrilling combination of tequila, agave, lime, and a touch of activated charcoal, giving it a hauntingly beautiful dark hue.
Shoma Bazaar
9420 NW 41st St., Doral786-410-4700
shomabazaar.comThis Halloween, Doral's new food hall is offering a ghoulishly delicious cocktail to celebrate the holiday. Embrace the spooky spirit of October with Shoma Bazaar's limited-time Halloween special, "Dracula's Kiss." This enchanting cocktail features Tito's vodka infused with dried hibiscus flowers, offering a deep crimson hue. Fresh lime juice and strawberry purée add a tangy and sweet balance, while passion fruit lemonade lends an exotic twist. To finish, this bewitching concoction is crowned with black pea vine flower tea and a gummy eye for an eerie and dramatic touch.
