While the kids are busy feasting on apple monsters, booooonana ghosts, and carved oranges, whip up a special something for the adults in the room. And by special something, we mean Halloween cocktails. Chef Freida channeled her inner bartender to create a Blood and Sand and a Virgin Bloody Mary (noticing a certain gory theme here?). Both recipes require minimal work but yield MAXIMUM flavor.

No fancy bartending tricks, just treats.

Blood and Sand Cocktail with a Lychee Eyeball

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Orange Juice
• 1 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 1/2 oz Cherry Heering
• 1 1/2 oz Blended Scotch
• 2 Lychees
• 2 Cranberries
• 2 Mini Ninja Plastic Swords (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except lychees and cranberries) in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake, shake, shake!
3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
4. Make the lychee eyeball by placing a cranberry into the hole of each fruit.
5. Slide each lychee onto a black plastic sword.
6. Place the spooky fruit in your cocktail and enjoy!

Virgin Bloody Mary

Ingredients

• 3 oz Tomato Juice
• 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
• 3 Dashes Worcester Sauce
• 1 Dash Tabasco
• Pinch Salt and Pepper
• Celery Stalks
• Basil Leaves

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except celery and basil) in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Shake, shake, shake!
3. Strain into a tall glass.
4. Decorate with celery and basil.

When it comes to entertaining, drinks are just half the magic. The other half? Appetizers. Bust out these colorful hummus bowls, and your guests will thank you.