Boo-zy punch and Candy Corn-Tini: Shore restaurants, bars create fun Halloween drinks
Halloween isn't just for the boys and ghouls — and you don't have to dig through your kid's candy bag to get a treat this year.
These bars and restaurants are stirring up potions in the cauldron this year, making some spooky sips and creepy cocktails.
618 Restaurant, Freehold
It's only right to honor poor Georgie with this cinematic sip, served with a red umbrella.
The "IT" cocktail not only has George Dickel Bourbon, but Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, cinnamon, and lemon Angostura bitters for a sweet-yet-twisted taste Pennywise would love.
Other spooky drinks to try are the Resting Witch Face (Patron Blanco Tequila, coconut, pumpkin, Brutto Americano Fall Spice and turmeric) and Book of Spells, which is a dealer's choice, interactive experience. Chose vodka, tequila, gin, rum or bourbon, and your bartender will create magic. It's served in a "Book of Spells" to keep the mystery alive.
Go: 618 Park Ave., 732-577-0001, 618nj.com.
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B2 Bistro + Bar, Bayville
There are tons of spooky sips to try here, including the Halloween Margarita (muddled berries, Teremana Blanco, Chambord, lime, club soda, a syringe of berry syrup and edible candy eyeballs), Red Devil (Smirnoff, Southern Comfort, Peach Schnapps, triple sec, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine), and Monster Eye Tea (Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Jose Silver, Bounty White, tripe sec, Midori, sours, and lemon lime soda).
Also try the Grave Yard Sunrise (Casamigos Reposado, triple sec and orange juice), and the Black Widow Martini (Bacardi Limon, Razmataz and cranberry juice).
Go: 125 Bayview Ave., 732-269-3000, b2bistro.com/bayville.
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The Break and Low Dive, Asbury Park
Are you feeling basic or spooky this season?
Try the Pumpkin Spice Margarita (tequila, triple sec, pumpkin spice syrup, lime, orange juice and a black salt rim), Psycho Killer (bourbon, Creme de Cacao, banana liqueur and cold brew), or the Boo-zy punch (spiced rum, apple juice, orange juice, smoked rosemary, a red wine float and cinnamon garnish).
Go: 1000 Ocean Ave. North, 732-361-3639, thebreakap.com, lowdiveap.com.
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Deal Lake Bar + Co., Loch Arbour
It's a real monster mash at Deal Lake Bar + Co.
Try the Vampire's Kiss (Captain Morgan, triple sec, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, grenadine and a sugar rim), Witch's Cauldron (Ketel One Citroen, Cointreau, and blackberry brandy, topped with mezcal) or the Jack O' Lantern hot chocolate (dark rum, hot milk, chocolate syrup and pumpkin creme liqueur, topped with whipped cream and Count Chocula cereal).
Go: 601 Main St., 848-217-7049, deallakebarco.com.
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Delaware Ave. Oyster House + Bar, Beach Haven
This Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini isn't your basic PSL.
It combines Van Gogh Triple Espresso vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liquor, cold brew and pumpkin spice syrup for a monstrous wake up call, with a kick.
Go: 13211 Long Beach Blvd., 609-492-3352, delawareaveoysterhouse.com.
Drifthouse by David Burke, Sea Bright
This ones great for cozying up after a chilling night of trick or treating with the kids, or light night partying ... whatever flies your broom.
The Smoky Apple Cider Old Fashioned has Four Roses Bourbon, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Angostura bitters, and cinnamon syrup, garnished with a cinnamon sugar rim, orange peel and torched rosemary.
Go: 1485 Ocean Ave North Suite 2225, 732-530-9760, drifthousedb.com.
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Half Moon, Keansburg
The name's Beetlejuice — but be careful, don't order it three times.
This festive blood orange martini uses charcoal-infused vodka for an added mysteriously black hue.
Go: 2 Beachway Ave., 732-787-3560, halfmoonkb.com.
Laylow Cocktail Lounge, Asbury Park
This heavy-hitter is strong but soothing, mysterious but sweet, and floral but citrusy.
The Soothsayer includes scotch whisky, plum liqueur, taro, ginger and cardamon for a unique blend of flavors.
Go: 603 Mattison Ave., 732-307-9640, laylowap.com.
The Loaded Spoon, Freehold
This Witch's Potion won't turn you into a toad, with Tito's vodka, black pineapple syrup, Sprite, a spooky assortment of sweets and cotton candy.
And for those of you who are head over claws for spooky season, get the Passion for Halloween (Casamigos Blanco, Cointreau, lime, passionfruit and yuzu).
Go: 108 Schanck Road, 732-813-8700, loaded-spoon.com.
Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill, Barnegat
The bartenders at this bayfront haunt have a few tricks (and treats) up their sleeves.
"Pick your poison" could mean the Poison Apple (Stateside vodka, Sour Apple Puckers, and sour mix). If you're looking for something a little sweeter, get the Candy Corn-Tini (Absolut vanilla vodka, sour mix, pineapple and grenadine).
If you want to party with the ghouls, try the Vampire Kiss (Stateside vodka, Sprite and grenadine) or Witches Brew (rum, lime, Razzmatazz liquor and Sprite).
Go: 451 East Bay Ave., 609-622-6190, sunharborseafoodandgrill.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Halloween drinks: Jersey Shore bars serve holiday cocktails