6 Spooky Drinks That Taste Like Halloween in Honolulu

What better way to get into the Halloween spirit then, well, by getting into some spirits. Here are six of our new favorites.

October 20, 2017

James Charisma,

Our picks for spooky Halloween drinks, from left: Volcano Shakes’ The Witches’ Brew, Chinatown Zombie from DOWNBEAT Diner and Butterbeer from Piggy Smalls.

Photos: James Charisma

The temperature may still be in the mid-’80s, but you can still get into the Halloween mood. Kick off the fall holiday season right with some delicious, handcrafted beverages from some haunts around town.

Butterbeer, Piggy Smalls

Straight outta Hogsmeade, the playful team at Piggy Smalls is offering a specialty slushy of the month: Butterbeer, inspired by the beloved wizards’ drink from the Harry Potter series. Made with butterscotch soda, vanilla, rum and topped with a cream cheese-based foam head, the result tastes like a sweet caramel eggnog. Butterbeer is served nonalcoholic (the rum gets cooked out) or you can add a little magic in the form of rum or vodka. Perfect for couples, wizards or house-elves; but go soon because it’s only available through the month of October!

$11, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 777-3538, thepigandthelady.com/piggysmalls/

The Witches’ Brew, Volcano Shakes

From its new location in Waikīkī, Volcano Shakes has grown to include indoor seating, a full breakfast and sandwich menu—and special seasonal shakes, including this Halloween-inspired Witches’ Brew. There are almost too many ingredients to count: a “poison” black caramel apple, black waffle cone, bread pudding made from malassadas, caramel squares, Oreo crumbles, whipped cream and orange sprinkles all stacked atop a shake of house-made apple-cinnamon ice cream served in a tall glass. Volcano Shakes still take about 10 minutes to make, but there’s no need to call ahead like its previous tiny location Downtown. Just come in—and bring the whole family; this shake is nonalcoholic.

$16.99, 2400 Koa Ave., (808) 888-9939, volcanoshakes.com

Bubble Bubble I’m In Trouble, Livestock Tavern

Don’t let the pleasant appearance fool you; this cocktail is positively bewitching. Made with St. George Botanivore Gin, Boulard Calvados VSOP, Velvet falernum, green-apple shrub and soda water, Bubble Bubble is sparkling, citrusy and herbaceous (thanks to the St. George “botanivore” gin, which combines 19 different botanical flavors including coriander, cardamom, juniper and ginger). Refreshing with just a hint of gin and served with a sprig of rosemary in a tall glass.

$11, 49 N. Hotel St., (808) 537-2577, livestocktavern.com

Dead Man’s Toe, Livestock Tavern

When a restaurant rotates its food and drink menu every season, it’s earned two spots on this list. St. George pear brandy, El Silencio mezcal, pear simple syrup and fresh lemon juice come together to create the pumpkin-orange-colored Dead Man’s Toe, served in a coupe cocktail glass. Tasting a bit like apple pie plus traces of that smoky mezcal, this one packs a punch. It’s a chilled beverage that’ll definitely warm you up.

$11, 49 N. Hotel St., (808) 537-2577, livestocktavern.com

Elizabeth The Blood Countess, Square Barrels

Inspired by the folklore surrounding Elizabeth Báthory, the Hungarian noblewoman who was believed to have killed hundreds of young women in the late 1500s, bartender Joseph Baeza devised this bright-red cocktail with Sazerac rye whiskey, Cooper & Thief wine (aged in bourbon barrels), Fee Brothers Old Fashion Aromatic bitters, house-made strawberry syrup thinned with pomegranate juice, Giffard orgeat, pineapple juice and raw egg whites. For a drink this colorful, it manages a balance of the sweetness of the syrups, bitter from the rye and bitters, and tart from the juice. This drink is a new invention, available through October.

$12, 1001 Bishop St., (808) 524-2747, squarebarrels.com

Chinatown Zombie, Downbeat Diner

Here to help you get through your hangover (or cause the worst one ever), the Chinatown Zombie is made with three kinds of rum: local Kōloa Gold, Mount Gay and potent Don Q 151 Proof. Plus a housemade zombie mix that includes fresh grapefruit and cinnamon. Downbeat’s take on the classic tiki cocktail isn’t as sweet as one would fear; it’s actually pleasantly tart, like pink lemonade. It may not give you a taste for braaaains…but with its high alcohol content, you definitely might lose your head. Like the original Don the Beachcomber, Downbeat Diner limits customers to just two.

$10, 42 N. Hotel St., (808) 532-2328, downbeatdiner.com