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Jack Skellington’s Haunted White Russian – the coziest spicy-sweet cocktail. I’ve put the spookiest Halloween twist on the classic White Russian. This is such a delicious October treat! Homemade spiced brown sugar simple syrup, mixed with vodka, Kahlúa, and a shot of espresso for an extra frightful kick. Finish this off with a splash of cream for the spookiest haunted cocktail perfect for a halloween party.
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This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!
You know the song, and I hope you’re excited for the drink. Finally taking inspiration for a Nightmare before Christmas cocktail! To be honest, I’m not sure if The Nightmare Before Christmas leans more toward Christmas or Halloween, but we’re going to go with Halloween for today’s recipe.
It’s fun!
I hope you all know how the story goes, Jack Skellington wants to bring Christmas joy into Halloweentown. It’s actually a cute Halloween story, but yet, the characters make it spooky!
Jack looks extra frightful at first glance, but once you really get to know him, you learn he’s very sweet.
That’s what this cocktail is to a T. On the outside, it’s eerie and oh-so spooooky, but take a sip and it delights by being perfectly sweet with a touch of spice.
Boo! Here are details
To make the sweet brown sugar and vanilla spice syrup, mix brown sugar with pumpkin butter, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and water. Simmer until the sugar dissolves.
If you’re not a fan of pumpkin or simply do not have any pumpkin butter, you can omit both the pumpkin butter and pumpkin spice
When the syrup is cool, mix together your classic White Russian ingredients, vodka and Kahlua. Then add an extra shot of espresso and cream.
Let the cream swirl into the sweet and boozy coffee, then stir and enjoy a sinfully delicious, spooky, spicy-sweet White Russian. It might even be fun to have The Nightmare Before Christmas playing in the background.
In true Cocktail Saturday form, I’m keeping this short and sweet. Hoping you guys all love this spooky cocktail.
See the notes within the recipe for the mocktail variation too.
Looking for other haunted Halloween drinks? Here are a few ideas:
Smoky Sanderson Sisters’ Smash
“I put a Spell on You” Poison Apple Martini
Lastly, if you make Jack Skellington’s Haunted White Russian, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Jack Skellington’s Haunted White Russian
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Syrup
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin butter, (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Russian
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Kahlua
- 1 ounce espresso, or use black coffee
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) vanilla spice syrup, in directions below
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) half and half or cream
Instructions
- 1. To make the brown sugar syrup. In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup water, the brown sugar, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin pie spice. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This makes enough for 6 drinks.
- 2. To make Jack Skellington's Haunted White Russian. Fill your glass with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and syrup. Stir. Add the half and half and stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This sounds really good! Just curious – is the estimated calories per drink (1861kcal) accurate??
Hi Maddison,
I think it’s calculating in all of the syrup as well, not just the small amount that you use for one drink. I always recommend that if the nutritional information is important to you, you use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. It’s not something we’d prefer to be using. We are required to. I’m sorry for the trouble, we do our best! Hope you enjoy the recipe! xT
That makes sense, just curious! Thank you 😊
Is this something you could pre-mix in a pitcher and give a stir before you serve or not really?
Hey Kate,
So sorry, this isn’t the best recipe to make in large batches. I would try one of these recipes:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pumpkin-patch-margarita/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/bourbon-pumpkin-smash/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
My husband and I loved it! Didn’t and the pumpkin just the p.p. spice. Delicious
Hey Jillian,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you making it! Have a great weekend! 🍁🍂
The Jack Skellington haunted White Russian calls for brown sugar syrup, but the recipe shows how to make vanilla spice syrup…are they the same??
Hi Margaret,
Sorry about that! It’s brown sugar syrup, all of the ingredients are correct, just need to fix the name! I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
Not bad ( tasted like chocolate to me with 0 pumpkin flavor ) but teething has so ms h other White Russian drinks that wowed me. This one has to be stirred well or the syrup can turn out grainy and blah. Also the calories are geesh lol
Hi Mariana,
Thanks so much for giving this drink a try, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
I just want to be sure I’m reading something correctly. In the ingredients list you call it Brown Sugar Syrup, but later in the ingredient list and in the recipe itself you call it Vanilla Spice Syrup. I’m assuming those are actually the same thing? Thanks!
Hey Meredith,
Ooops! Thanks for pointing that out, I will fix it:) Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!! Cheers! xT
No problem at all! My anxiety made me worry I was misreading. Can’t wait to try this!
The Russian recipe still calls for a vanilla spice syrup. Is that the same as the brown sugar syrup or is there something different?
Hi Shawn,
Sorry for the typo, you can follow the instructions and ingredients as listed:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try! Cheers! xx
This was so yummy! I didn’t add pumpkin butter because I didn’t have any, but it was delicious! The syrup really adds a nice flavor to it. I’ll def make these again!
Hey Jessica,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out! xT🍂
Where did you get the cool skeleton glass and ice mold?
Hey Linda,
Here are the links for both:
https://rstyle.me/+htfE3WraDapHa3sP_1uqSA
https://shopstyle.it/l/bmQ0y
I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xT
Made today and it’s fall in a glass. Must’ve done something wrong with the syrup though bc I definitely don’t have enough for 6 drinks!
Hey Jessica,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! Was there anything you adjusted in the syrup? xx
This sounds so wonderful! I have espresso powder. How much would I use?
Hi Mary Jo,
For this recipe, you want the liquid so you will need to use coffee or liquid espresso. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Would coconut or almond milk be a good alternative to milk or cream?
Hey Ashton,
Totally, either of those will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xTieghan
It all is tasteful but the making seems a pain because one has to go and get the ingredients that they normally housed. How about making me some and sending it along…I am thirsty. Okay, quit it! Thank you for sharing the recipes and yes, where did you get the skull glasses?
Hi there,
Here is the link for the skull glasses:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bmQ0y
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Love your recipes! Would you mind telling us where you got the skull glasses? As usual your presentation is spot on!
Thanks so much Linda!! Here is the link for the skull glasses:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bmQ0y
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Thank you for including a mocktail version. I’m sure a lot of your fans would love to see mocktail versions of all your beautiful cocktails!
Happy to share!! I hope you love the recipe!!
It looks so delicious and spooky! Can you please share where you found the skeleton head ice cube trays?
Thanks so much Patti! Here is the link for the ice cube molds:
https://rstyle.me/+htfE3WraDapHa3sP_1uqSA
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx