I love making fun drinks for Halloween. The Jack-O’-Lantern Julep is honestly one of my favorite cocktails to serve at parties.
It’s a simple twist on the classic mint julep, but with this kind of spooky orange color that fits right in with all the Halloween decorations. This is a Halloween cocktail that stands out because it’s both easy to make and pretty impressive in a glass.
When I host a Halloween party or really any social event, I want guests to have something festive and delicious to drink. The Jack-O’-Lantern Julep is perfect for anyone who wants a Halloween drink that looks as good as it tastes.
It uses common ingredients and doesn’t take much time to put together. That means I can focus more on having fun with friends and less on playing bartender all night.
Jack-O’-Lantern Julep Cocktail Recipe
This Jack-O’-Lantern Julep blends citrus and spice for a fresh, autumn-inspired drink. I love using ingredients like orange juice, cognac, and pumpkin spice to create that cozy fall feeling with every sip.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I always use this to mix everything up so the flavors combine well.
- Jigger: For measuring the liquids, a jigger keeps the amounts just right.
- Muddler: I muddle mint or garnish if I want extra flavor before adding the liquids.
- Strainer: I strain the drink to make sure it’s smooth.
- Highball glass or julep cup: It’s best served in a tall glass or classic julep cup.
- Bar spoon: For stirring if needed and layering ingredients.
- Ice: Crushed ice or regular cubes both work fine.
Ingredients
- 2 oz cognac or brandy
- 1 oz Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 2 oz ginger ale (to top)
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (optional for more spice)
- Mint sprigs or orange peel for garnish
- Crushed or cubed ice
- 1 tsp simple syrup (optional for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Add orange juice, cognac, orange liqueur, and pumpkin spice to the shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a highball glass or julep cup filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger ale and stir gently to mix.
- Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top if I like more spice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig, orange wheel, or a playful Jack-O’-Lantern shaped orange peel.
Notes
I sometimes swap cognac for brandy if that’s what I have on hand. If I want a less sweet drink, I just skip the simple syrup.
Grand Marnier adds a richer flavor compared to other orange liqueurs, but honestly, any orange liqueur will work. Garnishes can be fun, like cutting an orange slice into a mini jack-o’-lantern face, which makes the drink festive.
The cinnamon and pumpkin spice are key for that warm, autumn taste. I find ginger ale balances the flavors and makes the cocktail refreshing.
If I don’t have a cocktail shaker, stirring everything well in a glass works too. This recipe is easy to double or triple if I’m making cocktails for friends.
Must Have Ingredients
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Jack-O’-Lantern Julep Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Muddler
- Strainer
- Highball glass or julep cup
- Bar spoon
- Ice (crushed or cubed)
Ingredients
- 2 oz cognac or brandy
- 1 oz Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 2 oz ginger ale
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp simple syrup optional, for added sweetness
- Crushed or cubed ice enough to fill glass
- 1 mint sprig for garnish
- 1 orange peel or wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Add orange juice, cognac, orange liqueur, pumpkin spice, and simple syrup (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass or julep cup filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger ale and stir gently to mix.
- Sprinkle a bit of ground cinnamon on top if desired.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and orange peel or wheel.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
When I first sip the Jack-O’-Lantern Julep, I taste a sweet pumpkin flavor right away. The pumpkin mixes well with the bourbon, which gives the drink a warm and mellow kick.
The cocktail feels smooth and fresh because of the mint leaves. I notice a light spice, probably from the cinnamon or nutmeg.
Here’s what stood out to me:
- Sweetness: The drink is sweet, but not too much.
- Spice: Hints of spice make it interesting.
- Minty Freshness: The mint cools things down.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin flavors are front and center.
- Smooth Finish: I like how it goes down easy.
If I let the ice melt a bit, the drink gets even smoother and the flavors blend better. I enjoy how the mint stays strong even after a few minutes.
Substitute
Sometimes, I just don’t have all the original ingredients for a Jack-O’-Lantern Julep at home. So, I make a few easy swaps and hope for the best.
Possible Ingredient Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If I run out of bourbon, I’ll grab rye whiskey or even dark rum.
- Pumpkin puree: Sweet potato puree steps in for pumpkin now and then. The taste and texture are close enough for me.
- Maple syrup: No maple syrup? I’ll use honey or agave syrup instead.
- Mint leaves: When mint’s missing, fresh basil actually works surprisingly well.
Equipment Substitutes:
- Muddler: I just use the back of a spoon, or sometimes a little rolling pin, to muddle herbs.
- Cocktail shaker: If there’s no shaker around, a clean jar with a lid does the trick.
- Strainer: A small kitchen sieve works fine if I need to strain anything.
Instructions for Using Substitutes:
- I usually swap in the new ingredient at a 1:1 ratio—unless it’s way sweeter or stronger. For example, honey’s sweeter than maple syrup, so I use a touch less.
- Using a jar for shaking? I double-check the lid’s on tight. Nobody likes a sticky mess.
- If I’m using sweet potato instead of pumpkin, I taste the mix before adding sweetener. Sometimes sweet potato is already sweet enough, so I go easy on the sugar.
