Sleepy Hollow Cocktail is the ultimate spooky sip for your Halloween night. Dark, moody, and kissed with smoke from a flaming rosemary sprig, this eerie cocktail blends tart pomegranate juice, smoky mezcal (or smooth tequila), and a cinnamon-spiced orange honey syrup that tastes like October in a glass. It’s simple to shake up and equally perfect for sipping solo or serving as a punch at your haunted bash.

No gimmicks. No fancy liqueurs. Just a dramatic drink with bold fall flavor—and a little fire to impress your guests.

Table of Contents

🎃 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No bartending experience required
Uses easy-to-find ingredients
Perfect for Halloween parties or cozy nights in
Can be made as a single cocktail or scaled for a crowd
That smoky rosemary garnish? Hauntingly cool.

🍹 Ingredients

For the Honey Simple Syrup:

¼ cup honey
½ cup water
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Zest from 1 orange

For a Single Sleepy Hollow Cocktail:

¼ cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
2 oz tequila or mezcal
1–2 tablespoons rosemary-orange honey syrup
A couple dashes orange bitters
1 dash ground cinnamon
Sparkling water (to top)
Cinnamon sugar (to rim the glass)
Fresh rosemary sprig (for garnish and smoke)

For Sleepy Hollow Party Punch (Serves 6):

1½ cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
12 oz tequila or mezcal (about 1½ cups)
All of the rosemary-orange honey syrup
2 tablespoons orange bitters
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
2–4 cans sparkling water (to top)

🧪 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Honey Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine honey, water, and rosemary.
Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Add orange zest, remove from heat, and let cool.
Store in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks.

Step 2: Prepare the Glass

Rim your cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar.
(Optional but fun) Use a bit of honey or orange juice to help it stick.

Step 3: Mix the Cocktail (Single Serve)

In a shaker, combine pomegranate juice, tequila or mezcal, bitters, cinnamon, and syrup.
Add ice and shake for 15 seconds.
Strain into your rimmed glass and top with sparkling water.

Step 4: Add the Dramatic Garnish

Add a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Carefully light the tip with a match or torch for a spooky smoky effect.
Serve immediately.

📋 Recipe Details

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 (or 6 for punch)
Calories: ~239 (cocktail), ~417 (punch)

💡 Tips & Variations

Make it non-alcoholic: Use sparkling water + pomegranate + honey syrup for a mocktail version.
Swap spirits: Mezcal brings smoky depth, but tequila keeps it smooth.
Glassware: Serve in a coupe, rocks glass, or even spooky Halloween-themed mugs.
For the punch: Mix everything in advance except sparkling water. Top each glass when serving.
Flavored sparkle: Try blood orange or pomegranate sparkling water for added flair.

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

A spooky, smoky Halloween cocktail with pomegranate, tequila, and rosemary-orange honey syrup. Easy to make and hauntingly good.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings: 1 Cocktail

Course: Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine: Halloween

Calories: 239

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

**Honey Syrup**
– ¼ cup honey
– ½ cup water
– 1 sprig rosemary
– Zest of 1 orange
**Single Cocktail**
– ¼ cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
– 2 oz tequila or mezcal
– 1–2 tbsp rosemary-orange honey syrup
– 2 dashes orange bitters
– 1 dash cinnamon
– Sparkling water
– Cinnamon sugar rim
– Rosemary sprig for garnish
**Party Punch Serves 6**
– 1½ cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
– 12 oz tequila or mezcal
– All rosemary honey syrup
– 2 tbsp orange bitters
– ¾ tsp cinnamon
– 2–4 cans sparkling water

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
– Strainer
Saucepan
– Match or kitchen torch

Method

**Make Honey Syrup**: Simmer water, honey, and rosemary. Add zest. Cool.
**Rim Glass**: Use cinnamon sugar for a sweet rim.
**Shake Cocktail**: Combine all ingredients except sparkling water. Shake with ice.
**Finish**: Strain into glass, top with sparkling water.
**Garnish**: Add rosemary sprig. Light for smoky effect.

Notes

– Mocktail version: skip tequila, double sparkling water
– Make syrup ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks

❓ FAQs

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?
Yes! Mix the base (everything except the sparkling water and garnish) and refrigerate. Just shake and top when ready to serve.

Is the flaming rosemary safe?
Yes—but always practice caution. Light it just before serving and blow it out before drinking.

What can I use if I don’t have orange bitters?
A few drops of Angostura bitters work fine—or skip it and let the syrup carry the flavor.

🕯️ Conclusion

The Sleepy Hollow Cocktail is everything a Halloween drink should be: spooky, smoky, seasonal, and simple. Whether you’re throwing a costume party or just channeling haunted vibes at home, this cocktail makes your night a little more magical (and delicious). Don’t forget to snap a photo before the rosemary stops smoldering—this one’s a stunner.

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail.