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The Sleepy Hollow Cocktail…the “spookiest” of Halloween cocktails that happens to be frighteningly delicious. This haunted brew is made with sweet pomegranate juice paired with tequila, a dash of bitters, a touch of cinnamon, rosemary-infused orange honey simple syrup and topped with sparkling water. A smoking sprig of rosemary provides the ultimate “spooky” touch. This cocktail is warming, delicious, and perfect for Halloween.
As promised, we’re back with another Cocktail Saturday, and this one is one of my “spookiest” yet.
You guys, I know I say this in almost every Cocktail Saturday post, but honestly, these drinks are my favorite. I have SO much fun creating these. I’m not sure why, but I put so much less pressure on myself when it comes to creating drinks. I just have fun with them, never overthink them (too much), and you know what? It really works! Hands down these are some of my favorite recipes to create. They’re just fun and such a nice switch up from shooting food every day.
Anyway, getting into details right away since I promised myself that I would keep this post short and sweet.
The spooky details…
Everyone, meet the “sleepy hollow” cocktail.
This is basically just an autumn margarita made extra special with rosemary, orange infused honey, pomegranate juice, and just the slightest hint of warming cinnamon throughout. You can even make it a touch smoky with Mezcal, or keep things classic by using your favorite tequila. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
And…this drink is so easy, it’s made with zero fancy liquors, and perfect for serving a crowd.
Simply make the honey syrup, which is just water, honey, rosemary, and orange zest. Then rim each glass in cinnamon sugar for an extra sweet touch. This step may seem a bit over the top, but trust me, it’s needed. It adds just the right amount of sweetness, and well, it’s fun.
Lastly, shake it all together, strain into a glass, and finish with the smoking sprig of rosemary. I serve my Halloween cocktails in these skeleton glasses from Pottery Barn. I’ve had them for years, but I still love breaking them out every time Halloween rolls around.
Serious question…
And lastly, I have a question for you guys! I had the hardest time naming this drink. The scary truth is that I had the PERFECT name for this. But then forgot it…I just cann
ot remember what it was! I feel like it had something to do with blood, but after hours of scratching my brain, I gave up and settled on Sleepy Hollow. Don’t get me wrong, this name is great, and I do think it’s especially fitting for this drink, but I’m curious…
What would you guys call this cocktail? Cannot wait to hear your ideas!
Hope you guys are having an awesome Saturday that ends with some frighteningly spooky cocktails tonight!
If you make the sleepy hallow cocktail, 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!
Sleepy Hollow Cocktail.
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 239 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- zest from 1 orange
- cinnamon sugar to rim glass
- 1/4 cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
- 2 ounces tequila or Mezcal
- orange bitters a couple dashes
- 1 dash ground cinnamon
- sparkling water, for topping
Instructions
- 1. To make the honey syrup, in a small pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and rosemary to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, add the orange zest, then remove from the heat. Let cool. The syrup can be kept in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks.2. To make the cocktail. Rim glasses in cinnamon sugar, if desired. 3. Combine the pomegranate juice, tequila, a couple of dashes of bitters, a pinch of cinnamon, and 1-2 tablespoons of the honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake to combine. Strain into glass. Top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with rosemary. If desired light on fire for a smoky effect.
Sleepy Hollow Punch
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 417 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- zest from 1 orange
- cinnamon sugar, to rim glasses
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
- 12 ounces tequila or Mezcal (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons orange bitters
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2-4 cans sparkling, water for topping
Instructions
- 1. To make the honey syrup, In a small pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and rosemary to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, add the orange zest, then remove from the heat. Let cool. 2. In a large pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, tequila, bitters, cinnamon, and all of the honey syrup. Chill until ready to serve. 3. When ready to serve, If desired, rim glasses in cinnamon sugar, fill with ice. Pour the punch into glasses, add the sparkling water. Garnish with rosemary. If desired light on fire for a smoky effect.
I made this big batch style for a Pure Barre Halloween party and it was a hit! I ended up adding some fresh grapefruit and lime juice to make it more like a juicy Paloma and to make the cocktail go a little further. You are my go to for party cocktails!
I am so glad you loved this recipe Sofie! Thank you! xTieghan
“If desired light on fire for a smoky effect” How exactly does this work?
Hey Sarah! I simply just place the rosemary in the drink, then light the rosemary on fire using a lighter. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was a big hit with my husband, thank you for all those amazing recipes! I’ve been addicted to them since last year and been making a lot of them lately.
Thank you so much Edith! I am so glad you loved this! xTieghan
I used the juice from the orange as part of the liquid in the honey syrup…. hated to waste that yummy orange flavor. Great cocktail. Will definitely be making these again !!!
I am really glad you enjoyed this Cathy! Thank you! xTieghan
Bloody Rita?
Ooo sounds good! xTieghan
How about “Blood-bane” ??♀️
Ooo cool! Thank you Cassandra! xTieghan
Leslie, from the amount of ingredients it looks like the first list makes 1 drink and the second maybe 6.
Good morning..
T..I do not see how many glasses and size of… this recipes makes. Did I miss it ? Thanks.
Happy Monday.
Hi Leslie! This recipe will make either 1 drink or the pitcher version will serve 6-8 people. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
What would I call this cocktail? Good.
Amazing! Thank you Abbe! xTieghan
Just me but I might call it “Blood Moon”
Ooo I like that! Thank you Tony! xTieghan
I adore the name of this cocktail. Unique and magical. Also the Golden Snitch – another great name and such a pretty drink. Perfect in a champagne coupe and would be pretty for New Year’s eve as an alternative to Champagne. Rimming the edge with colored sugar makes a drink so special too. I’ve never thought to “burn” the in a drink but what a cool idea.
Thank you so much JuLee! I am glad you like this and I hope you try it! xTieghan
I’m assuming I strain the orange zest and rosemary out of the simple syrup? Or should I leave it? Thanks so much!
Did you use Light or dark tequila here? It probably would be great with either, but I’m curious. ?
Hi Angelina! I like to use light tequila. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
I would call this Witches Brew… I simply love your drinks! Your photos are beyond! It’s always a treat to see what you dream up!
You are so kind! Thank you so much Tara! xTieghan
Now you need to visit Sleepy Hollow, New York! It’s a quaint little town and you would also love Tarrytown, too! I currently teach in Tarrytown and lived in Sleepy Hollow for a time. I can’t wait to pass this recipe on to my Sleepy Hollow friends.
Ooo I would love to! I hope they all love this recipe, Stacey! Thank you! xTieghan
That looks utterly delicious…though I would have to sub vodka for the tequila, because tequila + me usually =
…a police presence on the scene. 🙂
Where on earth did those amazing glasses come from?!
Hi Aline!! The glasses are from Pottery Barn. Linked below. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
https://rstyle.me/+vdlKbQ4Vk6e64oBFfhQM1g