Whether you’re in the mood for a murder mystery or a gory, ghoul-filled night in, everyone needs a fun little drink to enjoy the spookiest day of the year. When all the Halloween candy is gone and you’re looking to keep feeling the frights, the right movie — and a drink to go with it — can make or break your experience.
From the wizarding world of Harry Potter where childlike wonder and nostalgia thrive, to the town of Woodsboro where chaos is around every corner, there is no shortage of films one can watch to keep the spirit alive. Here’s a list of, in my opinion, the best Halloween and fall-themed movies and their corresponding drinks to enjoy with friends, family or by yourself this fall.
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ and Butterbeer
What drink would be more appropriate to enjoy while watching this timeless Harry Potter film than Butterbeer? No need to travel to Universal Studios. You can recreate this tasty drink right in your kitchen.
To transport yourself to the Three Broomsticks, all you need is cream soda, caramel extract, butter extract, heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. In a bowl, whip the cream until it holds its shape.
Then, blend in the powdered sugar and butterscotch topping until smooth. Next, empty the two liters of cream soda into a pitcher and stir in the butter and caramel extracts. After that, pour the butterbeer into glasses, leaving room for the whipped topping.
Lastly, spoon or pipe the butterscotch whipped topping over the Butterbeer and enjoy this magical treat! To add some extra cheer to this delightful drink, simply add butterscotch schnapps and vanilla vodka.
‘The Addams Family’ and Activated Charcoal Cocktail
Get creepy and kooky with a mysterious and spooky drink that will make you feel like you are a member of the Addams family.
To create this drink, which is as black as Wednesday Addams’ soul, all you need is vodka or a non-alcoholic seltzer, beet juice, lime juice, honey ginger syrup, activated charcoal powder and salt.
First, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Next, shake and pour into a coupe glass over one large ice cube. Then garnish with lime curls or candied ginger.
For the non-alcoholic version, combine all the ingredients but the seltzer in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and pour into a coupe glass over one large ice cube, top with seltzer, garnish with lime curls or candied ginger and enjoy.
‘Practical Magic’ and Spicy Blood Orange Margarita
This list wouldn’t be complete without the Owens sisters. All you need to make this perfect and practical drink is tequila, simple syrup — which you can make by shaking equal parts (about 2 tablespoons) granulated sugar and water together in a jar for about 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves — fresh lime juice, blood orange juice and jalapeños.
Before making the cocktail, add salt or Tajín to the rim. Then, add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker or mason jar with ½ cup ice cubes. Finally, shake it all up, add some ice to your glass, pour the mixture, top with blood orange slices and you have yourself a spicy blood orange margarita fit for a witch.
‘Little Women’ and Mulled Wine
Want to feel like one of the March sisters? This drink is sure to bring anyone who indulges that nostalgia-filled feeling only the fall season can bring.
All you’ll need is red wine, maple syrup, citrus and cinnamon sticks. To add some extra warmth, you can also add brandy or bourbon. First, mix all of the ingredients for the mulled wine in a large pot. Then place the pot over medium heat and let the mixture heat up for 10 minutes. Once it’s nice and hot, ladle it into mugs and garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon sticks.
‘Hocus Pocus’ and Witches Brew
This drink is anything but a bunch of hocus pocus. You simply need 1 ½ ounces of Midori, 1 ½ ounces of triple sec and 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. To make the drink, add the Midori, triple sec and lemon juice into a cocktail mixing glass (or cocktail shaker). Then, add 2 handfuls of regular ice cubes and stir until it’s cold. Next, strain the drink into a lowball glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.
For some extra magic, add dry ice to make it brew, bubble and boil with smoky wisps.
‘Twilight’ and Honeycrisp Apple Sangria
Need a break from the heat? Take a trip to Forks, Washington with this Twilight-inspired drink.
All you need is apple cider, brandy, orange and lemon juice, apple and orange slices, cinnamon sticks, club soda, cinnamon-sugar and red wine to give your drink a nod to Bella and Edward’s bloody romance.
First, place the cinnamon sticks, apples and orange slices in a large pitcher. Then add the wine, apple cider, brandy, orange juice and lemon juice. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for 6-24 hours. To create a cinnamon-sugar rim, mix the sugar and cinnamon and pour onto a plate.
Get the rim of your wine glass wet, then coat the rim in the mixture. Next, pour or ladle in the sangria with fruit and add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!


