Eight of the best cocktails to drink this Halloween

From cocktails inspired by horror movies to potent mixes that magically change colour, we round up the best boo-zy tipples

All Star Lanes – London

All Star Lanes is great spot to throw a few strikes, but the creative bar team has another reason as to why you should pay a visit this Halloween. They’ve taken inspiration from the post-apocalyptic horror film, 28 Days Later, to create a one-off cocktail for the spooky season – 28 Daiquiris Later. The blood-red cocktail is a deadly mix of Kraken Black Spiced Rum, lime juice, sugar and ruby-red raspberry purée, served with a temporary tattoo.

Dandelyan – London

Dandelyan was awarded the title of World’s Best Cocktail Bar this summer at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans, and if that’s not enough reason to visit, the team has another trick (that would also pass as a treat) up its sleeve. This Halloween, the riverside bar is collaborating with Mexico’s Licoreria Limantour (another award-winning cocktail bar), to bring five limited-edition multisensory cocktails to the table. Not only will they contain flavours associated with Mexico, but the drinks will also play on themes surrounding preservation, zombification, and cheating death.

The Lost Paradise – Bournemouth

Known as a tropical bar amongst Bournemouth revellers, this venue has now donned a more sinister theme to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve. They’ve gone all out from decor to a cocktail special and The Vampire’s Bite is an absolute hell-raiser, made with Liquor 43, red wine, creme de cassis and cognac.

Dirty Martini – London, Cardiff

The cocktail chain had a Spiced Pumpkin Flip Martini to howl about in 2016, but this year’s Halloween-themed concoction is on a whole new level. Witches Brew is a limited-edition drink that changes colour, but it’s only available until Halloween night, so hop on your broomstick before it vanishes off the menu forever. Made using Plantation 3 Stars rum and a “magical” rhubarb syrup, the creepy-looking cocktail comes presented with a mini vial of acid-adjusted lime juice, and a pomegranate and sweet liquorice syrup-coated rim.

Be At One – various locations

From Oreo ice-cream cocktails spiked with Baileys through to classic Margaritas, Be At One has it all. So it comes as no major surprise that the popular happy-hour haunt whipped up a special cocktail for Halloween. Basic Witch is a spine and tongue-tingling combo of Mozart Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, maple syrup, lemon juice, Angostura bitters and ginger ale. It’s enough to keep you and your misfit mates cackling all night long on the 31st.

Heddon Street Kitchen – London

When it comes to celebrating Halloween, Heddon Street Kitchen does nothing by the half measure. Not only is it hosting a themed five-course feast (with pig’s head croquettes and squid-ink risotto), it’s also putting on a whole family of cocktails inspired by the night. The Devil’s Night and Witches Pipe are two of our favourites, but the Twilight Tea tops the list – it’s one frightfully good mix of Grey Goose Vodka, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, lime juice, orange bitters and Lapsang tea.

Level 8 Sky Bar – Bournemouth

Yes, it’s October; and yes, it’s cold, but some things are worth throwing on a coat for. Like The Pumpkin King cocktail at Level 8 Sky Bar. This award-winning bar is the highest in south-west England and it has five spectacular themed cocktails for Halloween 2017. Made with Ocho 8 Tequila, homemade spiced pumpkin puree, Cointreau, lime juice, agave nectar and soda, this hot-as-hell mix is strong enough to wake the dead.

The Ivy Market Grill – London

The Ivy Market Grill has given a special twist to your classic Bloody Mary. Conjured up with Chase Smoked Vodka and tomato juice, the glass is given a neat bacon salt rim before being served in an oak-smoke filled bell jar. Claws down, Blood and Smoke is up there with this year’s best themed drinks.

For more info on the best bars in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @DesignMyNight