I really love making spooky cocktails for Halloween parties, and my Witch’s Brew Old Fashioned always gets people talking. It’s a super easy way to turn a classic drink into something fun and festive for the season.
It looks mysterious and tastes fantastic—perfect for anyone who’s into a good twist on the Old Fashioned.
Whenever I serve this Halloween drink, folks end up asking for the recipe. It’s simple, eye-catching, and those deep colors with rich flavors just fit right in at any Halloween party.
If you’re after a spooky drink that’s a crowd-pleaser and doesn’t require a ton of effort, you’ll want to add this one to your Halloween drinks list.
Witch’s Brew Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
I like to keep things easy and stick to ingredients I can actually find at my local store. For this Witch’s Brew Old Fashioned, I focus on classic equipment, key spirits, and steps that won’t trip anyone up.
Each step is there to bring out the flavors and make sure the mix comes out just right.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I use this for mixing and chilling the drink fast.
- Strainer: Lets me pour out the liquid without the ice or any muddled bits.
- Jigger: Makes it easy to measure spirits so the drink isn’t too strong or too weak.
- Old fashioned glass: The classic choice for this cocktail.
- Bar spoon: Helps stir in the syrup and other ingredients.
- Ice cubes: Gotta have plenty for both shaking and serving.
- Muddler: Sometimes I use this if I want to add a little extra citrus zest.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rum (I lean toward bourbon, but rum gives a warmer kick)
- 0.5 oz simple syrup (homemade or store-bought, whatever’s handy)
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters (Angostura is a solid choice)
- 1 oz ginger beer or ginger ale for more spice
- Club soda, to top off if you want it lighter
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- Edible flowers for garnish (optional, but they’re fun)
- Lemon twist or fresh lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Add bourbon or rum, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
- Shake well until the drink is nice and cold, about 15-20 seconds.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer (or ginger ale), and add a splash of club soda if you like it lighter.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, lime wheel, or edible flowers for a pop of color.
Notes
Fresh lemon and lime juice just make the drink brighter and tangier. Using both rum and bourbon isn’t traditional, but hey, why not switch things up sometimes?
Simple syrup’s easy—just mix equal parts sugar and hot water, then let it cool. For a more dramatic look, I’ll go for colored edible flowers on top.
When it comes to ginger beer, I try to pick one that’s not overly sweet. If I want less spice, I swap in ginger ale.
I’m careful not to add too much club soda, since it can water down the flavors. Chilling the glass before serving is a nice touch, especially if it’s warm out.
Extra ice keeps everything cool without melting too fast. I always taste and tweak the sweet or sour notes before serving, depending on my mood (or my guests’).
Equipment
- Muddler (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rum
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 oz ginger beer or ginger ale for milder flavor
- Splash of club soda optional, for lighter taste
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: lemon twist lime wheel, or edible flowers
- Optional: drop of food coloring green or purple or a small piece of dry ice for a foggy effect.
Instructions
- Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer and a splash of club soda, if using.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, lime wheel, or edible flowers.
Tasting Notes
When I take a sip of the Witch’s Brew Old Fashioned, the smooth balance of sweetness and spice hits right away. The whiskey flavor is rich but doesn’t overpower everything else.
I really enjoy the way the bitters and orange twist bring out a subtle citrusy aroma. If I’m feeling playful, a drop of green or purple food coloring makes the drink look magical without messing with the taste.
Sometimes I’ll toss in a tiny bit of dry ice for a smoky effect. Doesn’t add flavor, but it definitely ups the festive factor.
The chill from the dry ice keeps my cocktail extra cold for longer, which is always a plus.
I always make sure the dry ice is completely gone before sipping. Safety first, right?
Every ingredient comes through, but nothing really shouts over the rest. Everything just blends together for a cozy, satisfying drink.
Substitute
Let’s be real—sometimes I just don’t have all the exact ingredients for the Witch’s Brew Old Fashioned. That’s fine; there are plenty of easy swaps to try.
Equipment
- I’ll grab any regular glass if a rocks glass isn’t handy.
- If my bar spoon’s missing, honestly, any old spoon will do for stirring.
- I use whatever strainer I can find at home—no need to get fancy.
Ingredients
- I usually reach for bourbon, but rye whiskey absolutely works.
- Out of orange bitters? I’ll try lemon, or even cherry bitters if I’m feeling adventurous.
- Maple syrup is a surprisingly good stand-in for simple syrup.
- If I don’t have a special liqueur, I’ll just skip it or toss in another low-proof spirit.
Instructions
- No fresh orange peel? I might rub the rim with lemon, or just skip the garnish altogether.
- Swapping in a different jam or syrup can totally change up the flavor—sometimes for the better.
- If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll skip the muddling and just stir everything together. Less mess, honestly.
