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