Broomsticks & Bourbon: Crafting the Ultimate New Orleans Halloween Cocktail

In New Orleans, Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s a lifestyle. And what’s a spooky soirée without a signature cocktail to match? Whether you’re a ghost on the go, a vampire with a flair for drama, or a witch with a wicked sense of taste, Krewe of BOO! has brewed up the perfect potion to keep your spirits high and your cauldron bubbling.

Let’s mix up some Crescent City magic with a few cocktail ideas inspired by the costumes, characters, and chaos of the Krewe of BOO! parade. Warning: these drinks may cause excessive dancing, cackling, or spontaneous second-lining.

🧙‍♀️ The Broomstick Boulevardier

Smoky, stirred, and spooky chic.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz bourbon (a nod to Bourbon Street, of course)

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 1 oz Campari

• Dash of chocolate bitters

• Orange peel (for a twist… of fate)

Instructions: Stir all ingredients over ice, strain into a chilled glass, garnish with the peel, and serve with a smirk. This classy witch’s drink is smooth, bitter, and just a little dark—like your Halloween playlist.

🧛 Blood Moon Margarita

For vampires who prefer tequila over Type O.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz silver tequila

• 1 oz blood orange juice

• ½ oz lime juice

• ½ oz agave syrup

• Black salt rim (because goth is still in)

Instructions: Shake over ice and pour into a black-salted rocks glass. Optional: Add dry ice for dramatic fog effect—because why not drink like you’re at a Monster Mash?

🧟 The Zombie Shuffle

A tiki tribute to the undead—with enough rum to resurrect you.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz dark rum

• 1 oz light rum

• 1 oz apricot brandy

• ½ oz lime juice

• ½ oz grenadine

• A splash of pineapple juice

• Float: overproof rum (for chaos)

Instructions: Shake, pour over crushed ice, garnish with a cherry and a gummy eyeball. Caution: Three sips in and you will start doing the Thriller dance.

🎃 The BOO Brûlée

A creamy, dreamy dessert cocktail with a ghostly glow.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vanilla vodka

• 1 oz pumpkin spice liqueur

• 1 oz half-and-half

• Whipped cream & caramel drizzle

• Crushed graham cracker rim

Instructions: Shake and serve in a coupe glass. Top with whipped cream and torch the caramel drizzle for a brûlée effect that’ll light up your dark side.

🧪 The Witch Doctor’s Elixir (Mocktail!)

Not all magic requires alcohol.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz blackberry syrup

• 1 oz lemon juice

• Sparkling water

• Garnish with basil and dry ice (optional, for foggy flair)

Instructions: Pour over ice, top with fizz, and stir with a cinnamon stick wand. This mocktail is kid-friendly, designated driver–approved, and just as enchanting.

💀 Pro Tip: Batch It for Your BOO Bash

Hosting a costume party, haunted balcony watch, or krewe pre-game? Mix up a punch bowl of any of the above, float some lychee “eyeballs,” and serve it in skull-shaped cups. Because in New Orleans, we don’t sip—we celebrate.

So whether you're stirring up mischief or just stirring your cocktail, do it with flair, flavor, and a touch of Krewe of BOO! magic.

🎃 Raise your glass to the spirits—may they never run dry. Cheers, monsters.