Cook Fast, Live Young: Easy Halloween Party Drinks

Who doesn't love partying on Halloween with your friends? Something about the holiday brings out the kid in us all, and makes it cool to go all out. We dress in elaborate (and not-so-elaborate) costumes, cover the walls in spooky decorations, and lay out our tables with the obligatory candy and other familiar sweets and treats of the season.

But with all this Halloween-ifying, most people ignore one important aspect of the party--the drinks!

With these recipes, you can make your boring drinks table as decorative--and tasty--as the rest of your get-together.

Slimy Shooters

Choose a gelatin flavor that's Halloween-y--such as red, green, or orange. Then, when they are set but not quite firm, add a gummy worm sticking out of each shooter!

6 oz. of Jell-O
6 oz. cold water
10 oz. vodka
Gummy worms

Mix the gelatin with 16 ounces of boiling water until the powder is fully dissolved.
Add 6 ounces of cold water and the vodka.
Pour the mixture into shot glasses.
Add a gummy worm to each glass and refrigerate until set.

Blood Fountain

This is a simple idea that's really fun. Buy a champagne fountain from your local party store. Pour in your favorite red punch. Serve with plastic champagne glasses.

Here's one great, simple recipe:

2 qt. Grape Crystal Light
2 qt. Raspberry Crystal Light
64 oz. Cranberry juice
1 liter Club Soda
Rum to taste

Great Pumpkin Punch

1 whole Pumpkin
1 liter Apple Cider
2 liters Ginger Ale
1 liter Rum
1 oz. pumpkin puree (optional)

Open up the pumpkin and remove the insides. Clean it well.
Then, combine the apple cider, ginger ale, rum, and pumpkin puree.
Use a ladle to serve it to guests!

Green Zombie

2 oz. Light Rum (White)
2 oz. Jamaican Rum
1 oz. Melon Liqueur
2 oz Sweet & Sour Mix
1 oz. Orange Juice
¼ to ½ oz. 151 Proof Rum

Purchase plastic beakers at your local party store.
Fill the beaker with ice. Then pour in each ingredient in order.
Swirl once with a straw, and then garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

That's just a few of the many, many spooky beverages out there. Check out more Halloween drink ideas from Heather, and share your ideas in the comments!

Juliana Weiss-Roessler has ten years of professional writing and editing experience. For four years, she managed the web content for the star of an Emmy-nominated reality series. Currently, she is an editor for the geek girl e-zine PinkRaygun.com, a contributor to the career blog at Resumark.com, and owner of the food blog CookFastLiveYoung.blogspot.com. Follow her @cookfast on Twitter and learn more about her work at WeissRoessler.com.