About Time: You Discovered London’s Best Halloween CocktailsBy Jodie Duddy
Looking for some great Halloween cocktails in London? We’ve rounded up our favourite Halloween cocktail specials so as to ensure that the horrifying Halloween hangover will at least be worth it. From Harvey Nics to Blakes Hotel, we’ve got you covered for a perfect boozy night this Halloween in London:
1. For a Halloween Special: The Blind Pig
The Lowdown: This award-winning bar in Soho is serving up a special Halloween treat in ‘The Corpse Reviver’, Halloween edition. It contains gin, Triple Sec, Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon juice, absinthe and night potion, the bar’s top-secret blend. Jason Atherton and Paul Hood are renowned for their artistic cocktail creations, and their Michelin star meals served in the Social Eating House downstairs. The Blind Pig has a cosy low-lit speakeasy vibe, and their usual cocktail menu is inspired by children’s literature.
Price: ‘The Corpse Reviver’ is £11 and available until the end of October.
2. For Tequila Cocktails: Las Iguanas
The Lowdown: Mexican restaurant chain Las Iguanas are celebrating both Day of the Dead and Halloween this year with two new tequila cocktails for each occasion. The ‘Mexican Cajeta’ is a creamier cocktail containing Olmeca Altos Blanco 100% Agave Tequila, almond, cacao, cream, and chocolate bitters. The other cocktails are the ‘Agave Field’, ‘Patron Sunset’ and a twist on a classic, ‘The Smoky Margarita’.
Price: The cocktails are available from the 22nd of October and will be included in the 2-for-1 deal each day.
3. For Pátron Cocktails: Day of the Dead at Harvey Nichols
The Lowdown: Harvey Nichols, the unlikely face of Halloween, has created a Day of the Dead themed tequila cocktail menu intended to champion Mexico’s national spirit. All the drinks contain Mexican liqueur brand Pátron and look very tempting.
When: The cocktails will be available in all Harvey Nichols bars from Monday 21st October until Sunday 3rd November.
4. For Quirky Halloween Cocktails: The Blind Spot
The Lowdown: Hidden behind a facade of a boutique tea counter, the aptly named Blind Spot is a relaxed speakeasy premiering three new cocktails for Halloween. Their creation, ‘the Black Claw’ contains charcoal-infused aged Balvenie, bitters, chai tea, lemon juice, and egg white and the bright orange cocktail ‘The Bleeding Orange’ is made from Ocho Blanco Tequila, triple sec, lemon juice and blood orange purée.
Price: Cocktails available from 28th October – 5th November, and are priced at £14 each.
5. For a Halloween Cocktail Menu: GRIND
The Lowdown: GRIND are running a Pumpkin Exchange this year, where guests are encouraged to bring along a pumpkin and exchange it for one of their specialist Halloween cocktails. ‘The Witching Hour’ is a mixture of Midori, lime, lemon and orange, ‘the Black Widow’ is Kraken Spiced Rum, charcoal, chai, cider, lime, and sugar, and the ‘Death Due us Part’ is made from tequila, mezcal, beetroot, lime and agave.
Where: The Halloween cocktail menu will run on the 30th & 31st October across all 11 GRIND sites. Those without a pumpkin can pay £6 for one of the spooky cocktails.
6. For a Luxury Cocktail: Blakes Hotel
The Lowdown: Downstairs in Blakes Hotel, Kensington, is the bar described as London’s best-kept secret. It has a packed programme of events with jazz, cabaret and a curated DJ lineup, and the vibe is laid back with plush sofas to sink into and enjoy their new Halloween cocktail creation the ‘Sangrenta Maria.’ It contains Casamigos Blanco, Birds Eye agave syrup, aged balsamic vinegar, Antica Carpano Formula Vermouth, tomato juice, salt & pepper, grapefruit & lemon juice, physalis, and finally Grand Marnier, it looks absolutely to die for.
Price: The cocktail is available from October 28th until November 3rd. The Sangrenta Maria will cost – £16
7. For Iconic Cocktails: The Donovan Bar
The Lowdown: The Donovan Bar, Mayfair are treating guests with two creepy Halloween cocktails this year, ‘Paint it Black’ and ‘Psycho’ both invented by cocktail-maestro Salvatore Calabrese to pay homage to the famous faces that namesake Terrance Donovan photographed throughout his career. ‘Psycho’ is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1960 film that contains a lot of twists, as is reflected by the ingredients, Calvados, Sassy Cidre Brut syrup, apple vermouth and verjus. Similarly, ‘Paint It Black’ is a reference to The Rolling Stones, and contains Casamigos tequila infused with Rooibos Tea, Salvatore’s Liquore di Limone, fennel soda, clementine and bergamot juice – it’s not one to miss.
Price: Cocktails at £19 each
8. For a Champagne Cocktail: Scarfes Bar
The Lowdown: Scarfes Bar Covent Garden is a cosy social stop with old-school library decor heavily influenced by the live music it hosts. This year to celebrate Halloween, Scarfes have created a tequila-based cocktail, ‘the Scandal Symbol’ with flavours of rhubarb, passion fruit and curry leaf topped with Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne an unusual combination but not one to be missed out on.
Price: ‘The Scandal Symbol’ is priced at £23
