The Gin and Tonic Is the Quintessential Halloween Cockail — Here’s the Little-Known Reason Why

Saturday, Oct. 19 is International Gin and Tonic Day, which eerily coincides with the world entering peak Spooky Season. Though it may seem like a relatively simple concoction, the Gin and Tonic is the perfect creepy cocktail. Why? Because G&Ts glow under blacklight — spooky, right?

The reason for this strange phenomenon is not because of witchcraft; it’s based on science.

Tonic water contains a chemical called quinine, which, according to the National Library of Medicine, is used as a treatment for malaria.

Under a blacklight, quinine absorbs the light and then re-emits it, yielding an eerily glowing cocktail. VinePair reports that the wavelengths of light emitted by the quinine are longer than the radiation absorbed from the frequencies of ultraviolet light, which causes G&Ts to take on an otherworldly glow.

In honor of International Gin and Tonic Day, we’ve searched high and low for the creepiest gins to make G&Ts that are ghoulishly good. Some of these gins are steeped in frightening lore; others are made with creepy crawlies. If you’re feeling particularly daring, be sure to check out this recipe for another terrifying gin tipple that glows in the dark.

6 Ghoulishly Good Gins for National Gin & Tonic Day (And Halloween!)

If You Love a Good Ghost Story, Try Silent Pool Gin

(Photo: Silent Pool)

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Besides being wickedly good, Silent Pool Gin has what might be the creepiest backstory of any spirits brand. This gin is named after the Silent Pool in Surrey, which is considered one of the most haunted bodies of water in England. Oddly enough, the Silent Pool is where the iconic crime writer Agatha Christie disappeared mysteriously for 11 days in 1926. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg involving the story behind this gin’s namesake.

If you look closely at the intricate gold foil on the bottle, you’ll notice the figure of a maiden, and she is an essential part of the history behind this brand. The ghost haunting the Silent Pool is that of a beautiful maiden who was chased by the lascivious King John into the lake. She ultimately drowned, and her spirit is said to haunt this body of water. The minds behind this English gin brand wanted to pay homage to her restless spirit by featuring her on the label.

As for the juice inside, Silent Pool hosts an ABV of 43% and features a whopping 24 botanicals that are meant to pay tribute to the English countryside. With lavender, chamomile, citrus, rose petals, lime peel and more, Silent Pool Gin hosts no shortage of complexity and is the perfect base for a creepy G&T. Wine-Searcher reports Silent Pool Gin hovers at an average price of $55 for a 750-milliliter bottle.

Drinkhacker reports that Silent Pool Gin is the quintessential gin for fans of the London Dry style. With a heady nose of pine, lavender and citrus coupled with a palate that boasts flavors of juniper, chamomile and black pepper, Silent Pool concludes with gentle honey and an earthy finish.

If You Aren’t Afraid of Creepy Crawlies, Try Anty Gin

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This next gin is sure to give even the most daring spirits connoisseur the heebie jeebies. Anty Gin is made by Cambridge Distillery and is made with ants. That’s right, those little creepy crawlies that are no strangers to invading picnics and homes are the starring ingredient in this gin.

Made in partnership with an innovative team at Nordic Cuisine, Anty Gin is not for the faint of heart. Cambridge Distillery shares the main ingredient — The Red Wood Ant — is “a rich source of formic acid.” The distillery says it yields a citrus-driven taste when distilled that blends quite well with the botanicals used in the gin which include wood avens, nettle and alexander seeds.

Anty Gin hosts an ABV of 42% and a hefty price tag of £220 ($286)  Yet, despite the creepy crawlies used to make Anty Gin, This Gin is In claims it’s fairly “classic” in style, citing aromas of citrus and a slightly tart, vinegary flavor.

In short, unless you’re on a tight budget, there’s nothing to fear about Anty Gin.

If You Like to Stroll Through Cemeteries, Try Magellan Iris Flavored Gin

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In Ancient Greece, the Iris was considered a flower that represents death. Iris flowers would often be planted at women’s graves so the messenger goddess, Iris, could help guide them through the afterlife. Even in the 21st century, many people gift white Irises at funerals to show sympathy for those mourning their loved ones.

Magellan Iris Flavored Gin is from Magellan Distillery, a company based out of Europe, and it contains cardamom, cassia, clove, coriander, grains of paradise, juniper, licorice, nutmeg, orange, orris root and of course, iris in the botanicals. The gin hosts an ABV of 44%, and Wine-Searcher reports it’s typically priced at $33 a bottle.

With its strikingly blue hue, Magellan Iris Flavored Gin is sure to add a bit of flair to your G&T — no blacklight required. Be warned, however, the nose on this gin has a peppery bite! With crazy florals and perfume, there’s a lot of complexity at first whiff.

The palate is like dipping into a honeyed bouquet of flowers with heavy juniper and powder. Magellan Iris Flavored Gin finishes with more sweet perfume, reminiscent of those old-time-y violet pastilles sold in novelty stores. If you want a crazy floral gin with a bold blue hue — Magellan Iris Flavored Gin should be at the top of your list.

If You Regularly Contemplate the Great Beyond, Try Death’s Door Gin

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With a name like that, we couldn’t help but add Wisconsin’s Death’s Door Gin brand to the list.

Death’s Door is another gin brand that takes its name from a spine-tingling and perilous location: Death’s Door Passage. Death’s Door Passage, according to the brand, is considered “the most treacherous waterway in the Great Lakes.” It takes its name from the fact that the severe currents within the area have caused hundreds of shipwrecks in the 1800s. Thrillist reports that so many shipwrecks occurred that some were on top of one another. Yikes.

Death’s Door Gin sells for an average price of $36, according to Wine-Searcher, and clocks in at an ABV percentage of 47%.

Death’s Door is a distinctive gin with plenty of citrus, rosemary, and basil. This incredibly rich gin tastes highly unusual, with bubblegum, vanilla, and a sweet creamy body. There’s a subtle kick of pepper and herbs. Death’s Door concludes with notes of bubblegum, lemon, lime and potato rolls, making it an incredibly fascinating sipping experience.

Don’t want to put it in a Gin and Tonic? Consider using Death’s Door Gin to make a Corpse Reviver No. 2.

If Morticia Addams is Your Style Icon, Try Scapegrace Black Gin

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This next gin on our list would go into a G&T that would make Morticia Addams proud. Scapegrace Black Gin boasts an inky hue — making it the perfect pour for Halloween — and hosts an ABV of 41.6%. The New Zealand gin brand features a plethora of distinctive botanicals, including pineapple, saffron, butterfly pea flower and Aronia berry. Wine-Searcher reports an average price of $44 for Scapegrace Black Gin.

This Gin Is In reports that to get this distinctively dark hue, The Rogue Society Distilling Co. used natural coloring agents that were sensitive to the pH of the gin. The butterfly pea flower adds additional coloring, as does the saffron.

With its floral aromas and cornucopia of fruit, this gin is surprisingly fun and lifted despite its dark coloring. On the palate, citrus dominates, with blackberries and stone fruit. Bits of herbs like cassia and coriander bring it to a delightfully warm close.

Whether you want to rock this gin in a cocktail at a Halloween bash or you feel like tapping into your inner rebel, Scapegrace Black Gin invites gin-drinkers of all kinds to explore their dark side.

If You’re a Creature of the Night, Try Hendrick’s Lunar Gin

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The final gin on this list is for all you creatures of the night out there.

Hendrick’s Lunar Gin dropped in February 2020, and the brand shares it uses “night-blooming floral essence” for the ultimate witchy vibe. According to Forbes, its release included a “moonbathing ritual” to fend off any and all bad energy.

The limited-release gin clocks in at 43.4% ABV, and the botanicals used in it all thrive in the moonlight. Hendrick’s Lunar Gin hosts a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Distiller reports that Hendrick’s Lunar Gin has a moderate aroma, with a juniper throughline and florals on the periphery. Stylistically modern, Hendrick’s Lunar Gin leads with delicate florals and boasts a distinctively clean profile.

Feel free to enjoy this one on Halloween night or during any full moon – you never know what might happen.