Halloween is right around the corner, and parties will start popping up any day now. Houses are decked out in cotton spider webs and cardboard headstones, and costume stores are quickly running out of stock. Everything is Halloween-themed now, including cocktails.

As you know, we staffers here at Feminspire love our alcohol and are always looking for new drinks to try. Aside from your standard blood-red fruit punch, here are a few ideas for fun Halloween drinks! I’ve included a couple “alcohol optional” drinks that any underagers, DDs, or general non-drinkers can enjoy as well.

Homemade “Ecto-Cooler”

Anyone who has seen the movie Ghostbusters should recognize the happy green blob on the cover of this old-school juice box. “Ecto-cooler” was a product of the 80’s and was discontinued in 2001, but anyone who’s ever tasted this knows it is truly magical. Although you cannot buy it anymore, you can make it at home and enjoy this slime-green magnificence at your party! Just follow this recipe from Nerdist (though I think I’ll add rum to mine):

• 3/4 cup orange juice (no pulp)
• 3/4 cup tangerine juice
• 1 packet orange Kool Aid
• 1 packet tangerine Flavor-Aid (similar to Kool Aid)
• 1 spoonful Country Time powdered lemonade mix
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• Blue and green food coloring
• Stir all ingredients in a gallon jug (or punch bowl). Add water to fill the jug or bowl. Add food coloring until it’s just the right unsettling shade of green.

Brain Hemorrhage

This drink looks so disgusting, but I promise you it is one of the greatest things you will ever taste. This is best as a shot, though, as the texture can get a little funky and unappealing after a while. Unfortunately, this isn’t a drink that can be made non-alcoholic, but any non-drinkers on Halloween can instead have fun watching friends toss back something that looks like a brain!

• 1 oz peach schnapps
• Bailey’s Irish cream
• ½ tsp
• Pour the peach schnapps into a standard shot glass. Slowly pour the Bailey’s over the schnapps; make sure you don’t mix the two. The cream will curdle a bit, leaving a brain-like appearance. Add grenadine for an extra-Halloweeny effect!

Black Punch

Black is a standard Halloween color. Black cats, black spiders, black souls… and black punch! The flavors in this one made me go “…what” at first, but when I finally tasted it, I couldn’t stop. It’s so good! This is a non-alcoholic recipe, so drinkers, feel free to add whatever liquor you want! This will make enough for a punch bowl.

• 1 packet orange Kool Aid
• 1 packet grape Kool Aid
• 3 quarts cold water
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 liter ginger ale
• Blue food coloring
• Stir together well in a punch bowl. Done!

For drinkers that don’t like liquor or punch, there are a ton of great autumn and Halloweeny beers available. Sam Adams Octoberfest is one of my favorites, as well as Buffalo Bill’s America’s Original Pumpkin Ale. There are cheap options suitable for parties, too, like Narragansett Fest.

If you are going to be drinking, please be responsible: don’t drive or let your friends drive. Make sure you either have a DD or a couch to crash on at the party house. These drinks may be tasty, but they aren’t worth your life.

What are you going to be for Halloween? Do you have any fun Halloween-themed drinks you love? Share them with us below!

Written by Alisse Desrosiers
Follow her on Twitter, @alisse_marie!