5 Frightfully Good Halloween Cocktails

This selection of deliciously spooky cocktails are perfect for a celebration of any size. All recipes serve one, so just scale up the measurements to suit your event

The Poltergeist

A pale, fluffy sour with biting citrus notes provided by the sherry and elderflower. This would make a perfect welcome drink at the start of the evening

20ml vodka

10ml Tio Pepe Sherry

20ml St Germain elderflower liqueur

10ml fresh lime juice

1 generous tsp lemon sorbet

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake hard and fast. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Sprinkle with blueberry powder if liked.

Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini

An indulgent late-evening sipper with warm winter spice and rich coffee notes to keep any party going until the wee small hours

40ml vodka

15ml Kahlua

10ml pumpkin spice syrup

25ml espresso or strong brewed coffee

Pared strip of orange zest

Add all the liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and stir to combine. Fill with ice, then shake hard for around 20 seconds. Strain into a coupette or martini glass, then twist the pared orange zest over the glass to release its oils onto the surface of the cocktail.

Bloody Bramble

A fresh, elegant cocktails that combines fresh citrus and rich dark fruit; the perfect post-meal pick-me-up. The cassis spiders through the crushed ice to blood-curdling effect

50ml gin

25ml lemon juice

14ml simple syrup

Crushed ice

10ml cassis

Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a rocks glass. Half-fill with crushed ice and churn with a spoon until diluted. Fill the glass to the top with more crushed ice. Drizzle the cassis on the top.

El Diablo

The sweet pepperiness of tequila in this purple-tinged punch combines alluringly with sharp lime and fruity Chambord. The devil is in the detail for this elegant sparkling drink

40ml silver tequila

20ml Chambord raspberry liqueur

25ml fresh lime juice

40ml ginger ale

Scale up the ingredients to suit your gathering and put in a jug or punch bowl. Add a handful or two of ice and stir until mixes and cooled. To serve, pour into glasses filled with ice.

Recipes courtesy of Waitrose & Partners