One glance down your local supermarket’s Halloween aisle will make it seem as though Halloween is firmly for kids, with sticky lollipops, bottles of fizzy pop with cursory orange packaging, and endless mini chocolate bars.
But if you fancy a more adult celebration, fear not – there are some hidden gems which are perfect for getting you in the spirit for spooky season.
From creepy cocktails to boujie ghoulish chocolates, picture-perfect pumpkins to decorative kitchen staples, we’ve got you covered for fright night.
INSTAGRAM WORTHY
Whether you dress up in a costume for Halloween or not, you can still mark the occasion online with some truly Instagram-worthy snacks.
Soko chocolatier and patisserie have launched a range of stunning spooky chocs that are a lot more ‘yum’ and a little less ‘boo’.
The teeny delights come as glossy white ghosts with a peanut butter and blackcurrant jelly filling, blood red bites with a pumpkin cheesecake filling, and an orange-coloured treat filled with toffee apple and popping candy.
Meanwhile Crosstown are turning fright night into bite night with their miniature vegan donuts – decorated with spiders, mummys and pumpkins.
The box won’t just look good for a selfie, they’re also full to brim of flavour with black cocoa dough filled with blood-like raspberry jam and a dark berry glaze.
For a more civilised, classy affair, Honeywell Bakes has the perfect snack – a jar of boujie pumpkin biscuits decked out in a range of pastel tones.
They also have adorable ghost bakes, iced skeletons and monster biscuit pops – as well as a range of DIY baking kits to keep the kids entertained.
If you fancy going truly big, you can get a bundle of treats all in one with a holiday hamper.
Devon Hampers’ Halloween edition comes in a spooky black wicker hamper filled to the brim with seasonal delights – including Tamar Tipple Toffee Apple Rum Liqueur, Devon Handmade Chocolate Orange Fudge, Popcorn Shed Butterscotch Popcorn, and more.
PICK YOUR POISON
While chocolatey treats may get the most attention on the scariest night of the year, there are a few delicious tipples which are well worth adding to the festivities.
Starting off strong with spooky spirits are two options which will look right at home amongst the Halloween displays.
Crystal Head’s Onyx Vodka offers the best of both worlds – a terrifying decoration and a delicious shot to offer party guests.
The glossy black bottle is in the shape of a human skull – jaw open and ready for that first sip.
If you aren’t too spooked to try it out, the 40% ABV spirit is triple-distilled and is made from blue weber agave rather than grain, which is sourced from a farm in Mexico, blended with water and filtered through Herkimer diamonds – adding a glamorous touch to your tipple.
In the mood for a creepy cocktail? A seasonal twist on a tried and tested classic, Kocktail has released their new Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini.
Spiced pumpkin syrup adds a tasty autumnal twist to the smooth coffee-vodka mixture – perfect for a more classy Halloween affair
If pumpkin isn’t your thing, Manchester Drinks Co have released a Toffee Apple Gin Liqueur – with the staple flavour perfect for enjoying with soda as an alternative to a bog-standard spirit.
Meanwhile for another bone-chilling bottle, KAH Tequila Blanco, stocked at The Whiskey Exchange, is served in a white ceramic skull inspired by the calaveras (sugar skulls) used in Day of the Dead rituals.
Adorned with black markings, the skeleton head makes the perfect backdrop for any spooky snaps, and the sweet and spicy tequila itself is the perfect offering for (adult!) trick-or-treaters.
Don’t fancy booze? How about trying an extra spooky brew.
Mariage Frères’ Midnight Magic tea may look haunting from the packaging – a dark black tube adorned with a ghostly moon, a bat and witch – but the taste is the perfect way of getting your candy hit without actually gobbling any sweets.
There are two options, the black tea and the Rooibos, both of which are infused with a fruity sweet taste. The perfect, soothing way to end a spook-filled night.
EMBRACE YOUR INNER CHILD
It’s not Halloween without being at least a *little* bit nostalgic for your younger years.
But rather than strapping on the cheap witch’s hat or drawing eyeliner on your cheeks in lieu of whiskers, you can take a trip down memory lane by embracing your inner child with these fun snacks.
Not only does the colourful Sweet Tree by Browns’ Trick or Treat Smash Skull look aesthetically pleasing, it also offers a fun party game – simply bash the solid chocolate exterior piñata-style to reveal a hoard of sweets inside.
Meanwhile for the Harry Potter fans, The Edible Museum has launched a chocolate frog to rival Honeydukes – and it looks even more lifelike.
The Halloween-loving company also offers an array of chocolate animals, as well as eerie edible body parts like brains and hearts.
And finally, for all the die-hard caterpillar cake fans out there, Asda has released a special spooky edition of the beloved party treat – Miles the Millipede.
A fun twist on the family-favourite, Miles is all set for fright night with spooky edible decorations, including a ghoulish face, sharp fangs, and maggots.
But don’t panic – it’s all about the look, as Miles tastes every bit as delicious as always, with a soft chocolate sponge, chocolate frosting and a generous coating of milk chocolate.
Whatever you decide to go for this Halloween, make sure it’s suitably spooky – and tasty too!
