I’m always on the hunt for fun drinks to serve at parties, and the Hocus Pocus Cocktail is one I keep coming back to. It’s colorful, a little bit spooky, and honestly, it comes together with just a few steps.
This recipe will show you how to whip up a tasty Hocus Pocus Cocktail at home with simple ingredients.
Every time I make this, people are curious—what’s in it? How did you make it look so cool?
If you want to wow your friends with a themed cocktail that’s both tasty and eye-catching, this one’s a solid choice.
The Hocus Pocus Cocktail Recipe
Making a Hocus Pocus Cocktail is honestly a blast. You get these bright colors and fruity flavors by mixing vodka, blue curacao, and a few fruity mixers.
The sugar rim? It’s a sweet touch that makes the whole thing look extra festive.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I like using this to get everything nice and cold without watering it down.
- Strainer: Super handy for keeping ice out of your glass.
- Measuring jigger: Helps keep the amounts just right.
- Rocks glass or martini glass: Either works, but a wide rim is great for the sugar.
- Plate or shallow dish: Perfect for holding the sugar when rimming the glass.
- Spoon or stirrer: Good for a gentle mix now and then.
- Ice cubes: Gotta keep things frosty.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka (plain works best for me)
- 1 oz blue curacao for that bright blue color and a hint of orange
- 1 oz pineapple juice for some sweetness and a little tropical flair
- 1/2 oz Midori melon liqueur adds a green pop and a fruity hit
- 1/2 oz lemon juice or lime juice—fresh is best, if you can swing it
- 1/2 oz simple syrup for a bit more sweetness
- 1 oz club soda or lemon-lime soda if you like some fizz (totally optional)
- Sweet and sour mix (I’ll swap in lemon or lime juice if that’s what I’ve got)
- Sugar for the rim
Sometimes I’ll throw in an orange slice or cherry for a pop of color.
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it in sugar to coat.
- Pour vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice, Midori, lemon juice, and simple syrup into your cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice cubes.
- Shake for 10 to 15 seconds—just until the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
- If you want bubbles, top with club soda or lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with an orange slice, cherry, or maybe even a lime wedge.
Notes
This drink is super flexible. Sometimes I’ll just use vodka, blue curacao, and pineapple juice if that’s all I’ve got.
If I’m not in the mood for something too sweet, I’ll cut back on the simple syrup or skip the sweet and sour mix.
Chilling the glass before pouring definitely helps keep it cold. I’ll usually taste it before pouring over ice, just to be sure the balance is right.
It’s fun to serve these in all sorts of glasses with different garnishes. The sugar rim isn’t a must, but it does make things feel special.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz blue curacao
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz Midori melon liqueur
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz club soda or lemon-lime soda optional for fizz
- Sweet and sour mix optional or replace with extra citrus
- Sugar for rimming glass
- Optional garnish: orange slice cherry, or lime wedge
Instructions
- Rim your glass: Rub a lemon wedge around the rim, then dip into sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice, Midori, citrus juice, and simple syrup.
- Add ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds.
- Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda or lemon-lime soda if desired.
- Garnish with a slice of orange, lime, or a cherry.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
First sip? The Hocus Pocus cocktail is bright and fruity, with a sweet kick from the juice and just a hint of warmth from the spirits.
It’s honestly a great pick for a Halloween cocktail—festive and not too heavy.
There’s a little citrus in there, which keeps it from being overly sweet. Sometimes I notice a bit of tartness, depending on how much lemon or lime I use.
The color is wild—usually purple or orange—which just screams spooky cocktail party.
Key Tasting Points:
- Sweet and fruity, with a gentle citrus tang
- A little warmth from the alcohol, but nothing overpowering
- Smooth finish, really easy to drink
Here’s what I usually pick up flavor-wise:
- Sweet berries or orange
- Tangy lemon or lime
- A little fizz if I add soda
The Hocus Pocus cocktail looks festive and stands out at any Halloween gathering.
I like that the flavor isn’t too bold or boozy, so most people are happy to give it a try.
Substitute
If I don’t have all the ingredients at home, I can still whip up a tasty Hocus Pocus Cocktail by swapping out a few things here and there.
Equipment:
- Cocktail shaker
- Glass
- Small plate (for sugar rim)
Ingredients:
- Vodka (or white rum if you’re after something lighter)
- Grape juice (cranberry juice or even a splash of blue sports drink can work)
- Lemon-lime soda (Sprite does the trick, or club soda if you want it less sweet)
- Purple sanding sugar (or just regular sugar colored with a drop of food coloring)
Instructions:
- No purple sanding sugar? I just mix regular sugar with a drop of purple or blue food coloring and let it dry. Easy fix.
- If I’m making a non-alcoholic version, I skip the vodka and add more juice and soda instead.
- Want to mess with the color? Sometimes I go for orange or green sugar on the rim instead.
- No cocktail shaker? I just stir everything together in a glass with ice and call it good.
Honestly, it’s not hard to enjoy a fun and colorful drink with just a little improvising.
