The Perfect Halloween Movie Pairing Guide

Alright, it's 1630s New England, everything's grey and gloomy, and someone's definitely about to get hexed. This creepy folk horror definitely needs something classy and smooth to balance out all that doom. I'm calling Chivas Regal Whisky to the rescue! This gorgeous blended Scotch has honey and apple notes that'll keep you grounded while witchcraft goes absolutely wild on screen.

Pour yourself a glass (neat or with one ice cube if you're fancy) and let the smooth warmth hug you through the paranoia if your Halloween date doesn’t. Sip slowly. This film is a slow burn, and so is good whisky!

Grief, dark rituals, and things that go bump in the night? Yeah, you're gonna need an alcohol with serious depth.

Bacardi Carta Negra Rum is aged in charred oak barrels, meaning it's got that incredible smoky richness that vibes perfectly with the film's shadowy themes. Mix yourself a Dark 'N' Stormy (trust me on this one, habibi) and let that ginger beer spice match the emotional rollercoaster you're about to ride.

Halloween date night cocktail magic: Carta Negra + ginger beer + lime = the perfect supernatural thriller companion (and my favourite of all rum drinks).

Jordan Peele's genius masterpiece is all about layers, so you need alcohol with layers, too! Mijenta Tequila is sustainably crafted in Jalisco's highlands and tastes like sunshine... until it doesn't.

Bright agave flavours with a smooth finish, just like how this film seems all friendly and nice before NOPE NOPE NOPE. Sip it slowly as the tension builds. You'll catch every brilliant detail in both the film and the tequila.

Serve it: Chilled or in a simple tequila-soda with lime. Or if you're feeling fancy, try some tequila cocktails like a classic margarita!

Okay, real talk: this movie is A LOT. You're going to need something luxurious to get through what Ari Aster is about to put you through. Lobos 1707 Tequila is aged in oak barrels and brings these gorgeous caramel and vanilla notes that feel like a warm hug during the film's most "WHAT THE FUDGE IS HAPPENING?!" moments. This is premium stuff for a premium nightmare.

My reco: Consider making a tequila Old Fashioned. You'll feel all fancy while your soul leaves your body.

Or if you’re looking for other tequila cocktails, a Tequila Sunrise would add some much-needed brightness to this dark film!

"Here's Johnny!" and here's your drink! While Jack Torrance is losing his mind at the Overlook Hotel, you can stay totally chill with Nusa Cana Rum from Indonesia.

It's got this tropical sweetness and spice that's the complete opposite of all that frozen hell happening on screen. As Jack spirals, you'll be sipping something smooth and delicious. Balance, habibi, balance!

Classic combo: Rum and Coke. Of all the rum drinks out there, less is more when navigating haunted hotel corridors.

Seven days. SEVEN DAYS! After watching that cursed videotape, you might as well make them count with some seriously good mezcal. Los Siete Misterios Mezcal is artisanal, smoky, and mysterious (it's literally in the name, not a bad pun from my side for once).

Every sip reveals something new, just like every scene in this film reveals another layer of creepiness. Plus, the smoky flavour totally matches that weird video aesthetic.

Serve like a boss: Neat with an orange slice and sal de gusano (or a chilli-salt rim if you're improvising). Traditional, but with fancy pants.

Your evil doppelgänger just showed up at your beach house holding scissors. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

This calls for Ardbeg Wee Beastie, an Islay Scotch that doesn't mess around. This young whisky brings INTENSE peat smoke and ocean vibes that match the film's aggressive energy.

It's confrontational, it's in-your-face, it's exactly what you need when your shadow self comes knocking.

Gothic horror in a spooky Romanian abbey? Hand me the holy water! I'm talking about Tequila Avión. Ultra-smooth and clean, it gives you a moment of clarity while demonic chaos unfolds. This is the kind of premium spirit that makes you feel safe. So pure, every sip is perfection. The exact opposite of what’s happening on screen!

Refreshing choice: Make a Paloma! It's one of the best tequila cocktails to balance the horror you’re about to go through. This and a Tequila Sunrise, to brighten up the room.

Nothing says "ancient Swedish rituals gone horrifyingly wrong" like artisanal mezcal, right? Dos Hombres Mezcal (yes, created by the Breaking Bad guys!) brings incredible savoir-faire and smoky complexity.

This film is bright, beautiful, and absolutely bonkers.

The mezcal is earthy, bold, and traditionally crafted. They're a match made in... well, definitely not heaven. Maybe a flower-covered hell?

Plot twist: the Antichrist is a cute kid named Damien! While you're processing THAT bombshell, pour yourself some Tequila Espolòn.

The bottle art is inspired by Day of the Dead (hello, death and supernatural themes everywhere), and this 100% Blue Weber agave tequila has smooth, peppery notes that'll steady your nerves as little Damien's true nature gets revealed. It's mystical, it's traditional, it's perfect.

Classic move: Shake up a Margarita, or, I’ve said it before, a Tequila Sunrise is always a good idea to balance everything out.