Sleepy Hollow cocktail season is here, and this eerie elixir is everything your haunted Halloween bash needs. With pomegranate juice as dark as blood, tequila (or smoky mezcal), and a rosemary-orange honey syrup that brings the potion to life, this drink is as dramatic as it is delicious.

Whether you’re sipping solo by candlelight or serving up a cauldron’s worth for a crowd, this cocktail is wickedly easy to mix—and unforgettable to taste.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail

🩸 Deep, moody flavor with notes of citrus, spice, and smoke
🔥 Smoked rosemary garnish for a spooky visual
🧊 Easy to batch for Halloween parties
🍹 Made with pantry staples—no obscure liqueurs needed
🪄 A perfect signature drink for your Halloween menu

🧪 Ingredients

For the Rosemary-Orange Honey Syrup (makes extra):

¼ cup honey
½ cup water
1 rosemary sprig
Zest of 1 orange

For a Single Sleepy Hollow Cocktail:

¼ cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
2 oz tequila or mezcal
1–2 tbsp rosemary-orange honey syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Sparkling water, to top
Cinnamon sugar (for rimming glass)
Rosemary sprig (for garnish and optional smoking)

🕯️ Instructions

Step 1: Make the Honey Syrup

In a small pot, bring honey, water, and rosemary to a boil. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the orange zest. Let cool and strain. Store in a jar for up to 2 weeks.

Step 2: Prepare the Glass

Rim your glass in cinnamon sugar for an autumnal touch. Just rub the rim with an orange slice and dip into the sugar.

Step 3: Shake the Cocktail

In a cocktail shaker, combine pomegranate juice, tequila/mezcal, bitters, cinnamon, and 1–2 tbsp of honey syrup. Add ice and shake well.

Step 4: Serve

Strain into your prepared glass over ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water.

Step 5: Garnish

Light a fresh rosemary sprig and blow it out gently for a smoldering effect. Place it on top of the drink for eerie, smoky ambiance.

🎃 Sleepy Hollow Party Punch (Serves 6)

Ingredients

1½ cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
12 oz tequila or mezcal
2 tbsp orange bitters
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
All of the honey syrup above
2–4 cans sparkling water
Cinnamon sugar (for rimming)
Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Mix all ingredients (except sparkling water) in a pitcher and chill.
Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar.
Fill each with ice, pour punch, and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with (optional) smoking rosemary sprigs.

Tips & Variations

Want more smoke? Use mezcal instead of tequila.
Too sweet? Use just 1 tbsp of syrup.
Make it non-alcoholic: Use a non-alcoholic spirit or omit the booze entirely for a spooky mocktail.
Try cranberry juice for a sharper, tarter twist.