Story by Dave Eckert | Intro photo courtesy of Gaels Public House
I love traditional cocktails. You just can’t beat a perfectly made old fashioned, a classic margarita at your favorite Mexican restaurant (even better if that restaurant is IN Mexico), or a delightful gin and tonic or an Aperol spritz on a hot summer’s day. Then again, something about Halloween urges me to break with the traditional cocktails and try something super tasty, super creative, and super spooky. If you’re like me, what follows is going to be a real treat.
I got cocktail insights for Halloween spirits from a number of spookologists throughout the metro.
Let’s start with Emily Boston, a friend and talented mixologist. “I think of party favorites that are easily accessible as cocktails AND mocktails, and easy to batch for a party staple. Anyone who knows me knows I love my garnishes and you can get so creative with this heavily themed holiday. Pair that with candy and you’ve always got a winner!” Boston shared.
As for flavor and spirit combos, Boston says she keeps an open mind. “Halloween is incredibly versatile, especially since the weather here in the Midwest is so unpredictable! I always go with something visually intriguing, and honestly, I think Midori is a slept-on option for signature cocktails at parties. It pairs well with anything fruity or sour, it’s easy to replace for a kid-friendly mocktail, and the bright green color is electrifying!” Boston exclaimed. She loves a Midori Sour. “It’s easy to batch, and you can adjust the level of sweetness to suit your clientele. Plus, it’s easy to theme for a Halloween get-together.”
Chicaba Beast
- Shot of tequila
- Shot of Grand Marnier
- Splash of raspberry habanero simple syrup
- Shake with ice, strain, pour
- Thinly sliced jalapeño floated on surface
My friend and fellow foodie Wayne Strider chimed in with a creation of his own that he calls the Chicaba Beast: “I made it because I love Grand Marnier and I like spicy things. I enjoy experimenting with infused simple syrups. The raspberry habanero simple syrup is perfect with the orange flavor of the Grand Marnier,” Strider told me. The Chicaba Beast has a limited audience so far – just Strider and his wife, Eileen. Her reaction? “It is strong.” Want to try it for yourself? That’s easy enough. You will find a bunch of spooky cocktail creations online at www.homesandstylekc.com.
Spooky Toasted S’smoregasm Martini
- Non traditional martini because made with whisky 🙂 dare to be different
Over at Tom’s Bar and Grill on 40 Highway in Independence, owner Tom Hadley spent his time coming up with a host of Creepy Cocktails to help customers get into the Halloween spirit, which Hadley sports year-round. “Halloween is and always has been my favorite holiday for several reasons. The biggest reason is you can be anything or anyone your bloody heart wants to be at that moment,” Hadley laughed. “Scaring people makes the smiles come right after the initial shock. It’s also the thrill of everyone having a laugh, scare, and wondering who and what will walk in next.”
I asked Hadley to describe the Halloween vibe at Tom’s. “It’s entertaining. People always comment, ‘we never know what you are up to next.’ Good, clean, safe fun for real!” Hadley exclaimed. Sporting names like the Spooky Toasted S’smoregasm and the Bloody Head Shot, these creepy cocktail creations are available for a limited time.
Bloody Head Shot
Finally, a chat with a friend who went all in on the spooky cocktail front, and, in fact, was the inspiration for this article – Derrick Bachman, the owner of Gaels Public House. Bachman created an entire “Creepy Cocktails” menu for Gaels, and he says his customers absolutely love it! “The response has been fantastic! Guests love the theatrical presentation and the way each cocktail tells a little story. Many comment on how fun it is to try something new and unexpected. People are especially excited about the mix of flavors and textures, from smoky and spicy to bright and effervescent. We’ve also had a lot of smiles over the playful names and the souvenir glasses with certain drinks. Overall, it’s been rewarding to see guests enjoying the menu both as a creative experience and a delicious one,” Bachman shared.
I asked Bachman what he was going for when he created the menu? “When we began crafting the creepy cocktail menu, our goal was to create drinks that felt equal parts fun, eerie, and irresistible. We wanted cocktails that captured the spirit of the spooky season, not just in flavor, but in presentation. The idea was to take familiar fall flavors and spirits, then give them a dark, playful twist with unexpected ingredients, dramatic garnishes, and a touch of theater. It’s meant to be indulgent, mysterious, and just a little creepy, but always delicious,” Bachman told me. “We pulled inspiration from the ingredients themselves first—seasonal produce, warming spices, rich liqueurs, and darker spirits that naturally lend themselves to the colder months. The spooky elements carry through in how we present those flavors—using dramatic dehydrated garnishes, deep colors, and layered textures that bring a sense of mystery to the glass with a playful Halloween twist.”
There are ten Gaels Creepy Cocktails on the menu. A few of them are clever nods to classics—like the Buffalo Trace Neat Pour and the Resting Witch Face, which is essentially Gaels spooky spin on an Aperol Spritz. The rest, about seven drinks, are unique creations that they developed specifically for this menu. Bachman says the mix gives guests something familiar to latch onto, while also inviting them to try original cocktails they won’t find anywhere else.
One more thing, this menu isn’t just creepy, fun, and delicious, it’s also charitable. “One of the elements I’m proudest of is that the menu also gives back. For every creepy cocktail ordered, $2 is donated to Our Spot KC, an incredible organization that provides vital services and support to the LGBTQ community across the Kansas City metro. It was important to us that the menu wasn’t just fun and festive, but also meaningful by connecting our guests’ experiences here to something bigger in the community,” Bachman stated.
To check out Gaels Creepy Cocktail Menu, CLICK HERE or drop by Gaels at 55th and Troost and try them in person.
