The Skeleton Key Is The Spooky Cocktail You Need This Halloween

Halloween parties are a fun way to celebrate the holiday with friends, even if you're well past the age of trick-or-treating. According to History, the modern celebration of Halloween began to increase in popularity in the 1920s. Though the holiday has seen a few changes throughout the decades, the general public's excitement over the yearly arrival of October 31 has only increased as time has gone on. A century later, the holiday has grown to encompass community events, parades, trick-or-treating, and parties. 

Investopedia reports that Americans are projected to spend nearly $3 billion on Halloween candy in 2022. Whether you're stockpiling candy to give to trick or treaters, or just because you want it all to yourself, it seems obvious that Halloween is the right time to have snacks available around the house for you and your friends. 

Of course, if you're looking for Halloween party food ideas and cocktail recipes, the wining and dining sometimes associated with the holiday are probably very important to you. Themed drinks can add some genuine fun to any party — and spooky Halloween cocktails are often highly sought-after. If you're searching for just the right amount of spookiness in a cocktail this year, you might consider trying one called the Skeleton Key.

The Skeleton Key cocktail is named for its lack of unnecessary additions, according to Wine Enthusiast. It sticks to the basics, using only the bare-minimum necessary ingredients to provide a great flavor. The orange, hazy appearance makes this drink aesthetically perfect for Halloween parties — though the light, floral flavors also make it perfect for year-round consumption. 

Since 2011, the cocktail has become a year-round favorite of the Detroit area, following its invention by bartender Brian Volmer at Roast — a now-closed steakhouse. Notably, the cocktail was created for a local cocktail competition, before being adopted by a plethora of bars in the area. In the years since its debut, the spooky-sounding concoction has only grown in popularity. In fact, a non-alcoholic version even sits on the menu at Detroit's Bar Pigalle, for those who want to enjoy a fun beverage without the added buzz.

The cocktail aims to capture a citrussy, floral flavor in each sip. In honor of this year's Halloween, Booze On The Rocks posted a video tutorial on its YouTube in order to guide interested parties. To start, combine 1 ¼ ounce of bourbon, three-quarters of an ounce of elderflower liqueur, and a half ounce of lemon juice in a glass over ice. Then, pour three to five ounces of ginger beer over the mix, and gently stir to swirl the ingredients together. For the finishing touch, add six to eight dashes of Angostura bitters on top, allowing them to float to the bottom of the glass naturally.

If you follow those steps, you're sure to have a happy Halloween.