The Sleepy Hollow Cocktail is the ultimate Halloween libation — smoky, sweet, and eerily elegant. Infused with fresh rosemary, zesty orange, and warm cinnamon, this spooky tequila-based drink is built for fall parties and haunted gatherings. A splash of pomegranate juice gives it a blood-red hue, while a dash of bitters and a fizz of sparkling water round out its complex, mysterious flavor. Whether you’re hosting a gothic dinner or handing out candy in style, this cocktail is your secret weapon. Bonus: it’s easy to turn into a punch for a crowd. Let’s conjure some spirits.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail

No complicated liqueurs or tools
Easy to batch into a punch for parties
Custom rosemary-orange syrup = fall flavor heaven
That smoky rosemary garnish? Unforgettable
Beautiful color, layered taste, perfect for Halloween aesthetics

Ingredients

🔥 Rosemary-Orange Honey Syrup

1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup water
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Zest from 1 orange

🍸 Sleepy Hollow Cocktail (Single Serve)

1/4 cup (2 oz) pomegranate or cranberry juice
2 oz tequila or mezcal
1–2 tbsp rosemary-orange honey syrup
2–3 dashes orange bitters
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Sparkling water (to top)
Cinnamon sugar (for glass rim)
1 rosemary sprig (for garnish, optional flame)

🎃 Party Punch (Serves 6)

1.5 cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
12 oz tequila or mezcal
All of the rosemary-orange honey syrup
2 tbsp orange bitters
3/4 tsp cinnamon
2–4 cans sparkling water
Extra rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sugar for garnish

Instructions

🔧 1. Make the Rosemary-Orange Honey Syrup

In a small pot, combine honey, water, and rosemary.
Bring to a gentle boil for 2–3 minutes.
Add orange zest, then remove from heat.
Let cool completely. Store in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks.

🍹 2. Make the Cocktail (Single Glass)

Rim your glass with cinnamon sugar.
In a shaker, combine juice, tequila, bitters, cinnamon, and syrup.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into glass and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Light the tip briefly for a smoky effect (optional but theatrical!).

🧛 3. Party Punch

Mix juice, tequila, bitters, cinnamon, and syrup in a pitcher. Chill until ready.
When serving, rim glasses with cinnamon sugar and fill with ice.
Pour punch into glasses and top with sparkling water.
Garnish each with a rosemary sprig — flame if desired!

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins (syrup)
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 1 (cocktail), 6 (punch)
Calories: ~239 (cocktail), ~417 (punch)

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 239 (cocktail), 417 (punch)
Carbs: 21g
Sugars: 18g
Alcohol: ~2 oz tequila per serving
(Estimates only; actual may vary)

Tips & Variations

Tequila vs Mezcal: Mezcal adds a smoky note; use it for bold flavor.
Bitters: Orange is ideal, but any aromatic bitters work.
Mocktail Version: Omit alcohol, increase juice, and add extra sparkling water.
Glassware: Skeleton or black-rimmed glasses elevate the spook factor.
Flaming Garnish Safety: Use a long lighter and extinguish flame after a few seconds.

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

Smoky, spiced, and hauntingly delicious — the Sleepy Hollow Cocktail is your Halloween MVP.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine Halloween

Servings 1 Cocktail

Calories 239 kcal

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
– Citrus zester
Small saucepan
– Glasses for serving

Ingredients

#### Rosemary-Orange Honey Syrup
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1/2 cup water
– 1 sprig rosemary
– Zest of 1 orange
#### Single Cocktail
– 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
– 2 oz tequila or mezcal
– 1–2 tbsp rosemary-orange honey syrup
– 2–3 dashes orange bitters
– Dash cinnamon
– Sparkling water to top
– Cinnamon sugar rim
– Rosemary sprig garnish
#### Party Punch 6 Servings
– 1.5 cups pomegranate juice
– 12 oz tequila or mezcal
– All syrup above
– 2 tbsp orange bitters
– 3/4 tsp cinnamon
– 2–4 cans sparkling water
– Extra rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sugar

Instructions

Make syrup: Boil honey, water, and rosemary 2–3 min. Add zest. Cool.
Cocktail: Rim glass. Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain. Top with sparkling water. Garnish.
Punch: Mix all in pitcher. Chill. Serve over ice with sparkling water and rosemary.

Notes

– Mezcal adds smokiness
– Syrup keeps for 2 weeks
– Garnish with care (flame optional)

Keyword Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

FAQs

Q: Can I make the syrup ahead of time?
Yes! It stores beautifully in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Q: What’s the best tequila to use?
A good silver or reposado tequila works great. Mezcal if you want smoke.

Q: Can I skip the cinnamon sugar rim?
Of course. But it really enhances the drink’s sweetness and makes it festive.

Conclusion

The Sleepy Hollow Cocktail is where elegance meets eerie. A little smoke, a little spice, and a whole lot of Halloween spirit. Whether you’re hosting a haunted soirée or sipping solo by candlelight, this drink promises drama, flavor, and unforgettable vibes. Mix, sip, and let the spirits flow — responsibly, of course.