SpoOOOooOooOOoOky.

And delicious. It's Halloween, guys. Congrats, we did it. The spookiest of weekends is here and we've got nothing planned apart from sitting in our homes, watching some movies, and having a scary treat or two. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom - why not whip yourself up a lovely cocktail in honour of spooky season and make your night even more terrifying? And tasty, obviously. We've compiled a list of five intricate cocktails that will be sure to go down a treat this weekend, whether you're into being scared to death or not. And remember, if the brand of alcohol in question isn't available to you right now, use whatever you've got at home. Get creative, you deserve it. 1. The Haunted  Does what it says on the tin, really. This cocktail from Sexton Whiskey is haunted, so you better drink it up before it haunts you. Enjoy it on the rocks and sip it slowly, while being sufficiently spooked. You'll need (serves 1): 

• 50ml The Sexton Single Malt
• 5ml coffee liqueur
• 5ml maple syrup
• 2 dashes chocolate bitters

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. 2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. 3. Sip and savour.

2. The Bleeding Heart  From the lovely folks at Lidl and the guys from GastroGays comes a cocktail so horrifying you'll need to drink even more of them just to get you through the night (within moderation). Also, it looks absolutely class when it's made properly, which it looks difficult enough to do, so good look with that. You'll need (serves 1): 

• 35ml Schwarzwald Black Forest Gin
• 35ml Vermouth
• 35ml Korol Vodka
• A handful of frozen blackberries
• A handful of frozen cherries
• 1 pre-cooked beetroot in its juice, chopped
• 50g + 25g caster sugar
• Enough water to just cover
• Juice of one lemon
• 25ml lemon juice
• Tonic water

Method:

1. Add the frozen fruit into the blender with enough water to cover, the lemon juice and the sugar. Blitz for 30-60 seconds on high to ensure the fruit fully breaks down and the mixture is smooth. Fine strain through a sieve into a jar or jug to remove any seeds and keep to one side.
2. Clean the blender and add the beetroot in a little of its juice, with the 25g caster sugar and some water to cover, blend until smooth and reserve to a bowl.
3. In a cocktail shaker, stir the gin, vermouth and lemon juice together with ice, then strain into a highball glass filled 3/4 with ice, topped up with the tonic water. Using a tablespoon, gently add a tbsp of the beetroot puree, then 2-3 tbsp of the berry purée on top, coaxing gently around the ice if necessary so it begins to ‘bleed’ through the white cocktail.

3. Fiery Fieri  Just when you thought Guy Fieri couldn't get any more iconic, he goes and launches his own drinks brand - and dishes up some spooky cocktail recipes too. Santo Spirit is the TV chef's alcoholic beverage venture, and they've got a very decent Halloween recipe floating about for this weekend - perfect if you like your spices. You'll need (serves 1): 

• 60ml Santo Mezquila
• 30ml Agave Nectar
• 45ml Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
• 15ml Guy Fieri’s Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Australian Aromatic Bitters

Method:

1. Rim 10oz glass with chipotle chilli sugar blend, fill with ice and set aside.
2. Fill mixing glass 2/3 with ice and add Mezquila, agave nectar, lime juice, BBQ sauce, and Australian bitters.
3. Cap mixing glass with shaker tin and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain contents from shaker tin into rimmed 10oz glass and serve.

4. Witches blood From the lads over at Saint Liberty Whiskey comes a cocktail about as terrifying as 2020 - maybe. You'll need (serves 1):

• 60ml Josephine's Flathead River Rye Whiskey
• 30ml Ramazzotti Amaro
• 1 dash bitters
• 1 brandied cherry for garnish

Method:

1. Place ingredients into a cocktail mixing vessel with one large ice cube
2. Stir for 15 seconds until lightly chilled
3. Pour into coupe glass

5. Spiced Orchard Hive The GastroGays and Lidl have done it again, with this tasty little number made from rum, cider, and a load of honey. Perfect for enjoying a nice night in this Halloween... and for coping with your sore throat. You're welcome. You'll need (serves 2): 

• 100ml Phenomenon Spiced Rum
• Bottle of Crafty Brewing Company Dry Apple Cider
• 15ml (1 tbsp) runny honey
• 50ml lemon juice of (1-2 lemons)
• Ice
• A red apple and cinnamon sticks

Method: 

1. In a cocktail shaker or jar, stir the lemon juice and honey together with a bartender spoon until combined, then add the spiced rum with a handful of ice and shake for 30 seconds.
2. Add another handful of ice to both cocktail glasses and strain the mixture between the two, topping up with the cider.
3. Garnish with a slice of red apple and a cinnamon stick.