The Jack O Lantern Cocktail is a spooky, seasonal drink perfect for Halloween! This festive cocktail combines orange juice, cognac, and ginger ale, with a garnish that resembles the iconic carved pumpkin face. With its rich flavors and striking appearance, this cocktail is ideal for a Halloween party or any autumn celebration.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz cognac
1 oz orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
2 oz orange juice
Ginger ale (to top)
Ice cubes
Orange slice (for garnish)
Lime twist (for garnish)
Black straw (to represent the pumpkin stem)

Directions

Prepare the Glass:
Fill a glass (preferably a round, short tumbler) with ice cubes.
Mix the Cocktail:
In a cocktail shaker, combine cognac, orange liqueur, and orange juice with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
Serve:
Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
Top with Ginger Ale:
Pour ginger ale over the cocktail, filling the glass to the top.
Garnish:
Add an orange slice and lime twist on top of the drink. Place a black straw vertically in the middle of the garnish to resemble the stem of a pumpkin.

Time and Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail

Variations

Boozy Version: Add a splash of dark rum for an extra kick and a deeper flavor.
Spiced Jack-O’-Lantern: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced variation perfect for chilly fall nights.
Non-Alcoholic: Replace the cognac and orange liqueur with orange soda and a splash of lemon-lime soda for a kid-friendly mocktail.

FAQs

Can I substitute the cognac?
Yes! You can use dark rum, bourbon, or even whiskey for a different but equally delicious flavor profile.

What’s the best way to garnish this cocktail for a Halloween party?
The black straw as the “stem” is key for the Jack-O’-Lantern look. You can also add Halloween-themed toothpicks or mini plastic pumpkins to give the drink a spooky vibe.

Can I make this in a large batch for a party?
Absolutely! Just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and mix everything except the ginger ale in a pitcher. Add ice and ginger ale right before serving.

Jack-O’-Lantern Cocktail

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Author: Jake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Category: Cocktails
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

The Jack-O’-Lantern Cocktail is a festive, spooky drink that’s perfect for Halloween celebrations. It combines the rich flavors of cognac with orange juice and ginger ale, topped with a creative garnish to resemble a Jack-O’-Lantern. This cocktail is as fun to look at as it is to drink, making it a great addition to any Halloween party.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ oz cognac
1 oz orange juice
½ oz triple sec
Ginger ale (to top)
Ice cubes
1 round orange slice (for garnish)
1 candy (like a lime peel or a small green candy) for the “stem” garnish

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Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add cognac, orange juice, and triple sec to the shaker.
Shake well until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
Top with ginger ale.
Place a round orange slice on top of the drink to resemble the face of a Jack-O’-Lantern.
Add a small green candy or lime peel on top of the orange slice to create the “stem.”
Serve immediately and enjoy your spooky creation!

Notes

For an extra festive touch, you can cut out small pieces of the orange slice to create “eyes” or a “mouth” on the garnish, mimicking a Jack-O’-Lantern face.
You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less ginger ale.
Try using different types of fruit garnishes or edible candies for a personalized touch.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 10mg