Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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.
Delicious!! And slightly dangerous, I might add.
Hey Samantha,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Halloween 2021 Amazing drink!
Thank you for all your recipes.
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 xTieghan
Late to the party but I’d call it the Transylvania ?♂️
Love that! 🙂 xTieghan
I have the same question as Julie. Does the rosemary stay in overnight to infuse, or should it be removed before storing?
Either works, it depends on how much rosemary flavor you want! xTieghan
I’m making tomorrow! Excited for this years cocktail. Quick question…..while making the syrup, do you leave the rosemary in to infuse while cooling and storing?
Thanks!
Hi there! Yes! xTieghan
Looking forward to making this for a Halloween party this weekend! Is there a ratio for how much punch to sparkling water there should be in a glass?
Hi there! It’s really whatever you prefer taste wise! xTieghan
Where on earth did you get these amazing cocktail glasses with the skeleton hands!?! I love them!
Hey Sara,
Here is the link for the glasses:
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/skeleton-stemless-wine-glass/?cm_src=rel
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
How large is one serving as far as ounces? So excited to try this!
Hi Brikai! I would say about 6 ounces. Thank you!
Your drinks never disappoint!! Question though, would any other liquor work instead of tequila?
Thanks!
Thanks so much Chelsy!! Vodka would also work well for you! xx
Hi Tieghan! What do you use to get the cinnamon sugar to stick on the rim?
Hey Morgan,
Just dip your rim in a little water. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I want to make this! Do you use 100% pomegranate or sweetened?
Hey Janine,
I use 100% pomegranate juice. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Opted for 1 TBS of the syrup and topped with ginger beer because it’s what I had. It’s such a fun fall cocktail, and super refreshing! Personally, I would lobby folks to go the mezcal route over tequila, because that smoky quality rounds everything out into the perfect harvest drink! The chef should seriously consider releasing a book of just cocktails, because her recipes are wonderful!
Aw you are too sweet!! I would love to do just cocktails… we will see! Thank you for trying this one, Jamie! xTieghan
I would also add you (or?) do an amazing job staging your photos.
Thank you so much Mike! xTieghan
This article showed up in my Google News Feed. Although it’s after Halloween, these do look like fun cocktails. I’ll be back to check in others as we cruise through the holidays.
You should! And I hope you love some of the recipes! xTieghan
We made this for our annual
Halloween party (following all directives except for lighting the rosemary on fire because of the copious amount of sugar high children bouncing around) and it was a smashing success!!
Haha that is so amazing! So glad you all loved this cocktail Heather! xTieghan
Bloody Mary?
Love!! If only it wasn’t a name already.. bummer! Thank you Leslie! xTieghan