Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. News

How to make a Lost Souls, a blood-red cocktail from The Lost Explorer

A festive and spooky cocktail from a leading agave spirits outfit

Lost Souls cocktail.
The Lost Explorer

Halloween is less than a week away. That means it’s high time you finalize that costume and ready the Halloween cocktail recipes. And if you’re lacking in the latter department, fret not, we’ve got you covered.

Having recently penned an agave spirits guide, we’re in the mood for some mezcal and tequila. Turns out, these versatile spirits can carry into any month of the year. That’s especially the case if you use classic complementary flavors like chocolate and citrus.

Recommended Videos

The following drink belongs in a haunted house next to a mummy with some dry ice mist floating onto the scene. It’s a fantastic fall cocktail recipe that takes advantage of a root vegetable. And you can even dress it up with a sweet rim for style points.

Here’s one from a great brand in The Lost Explorer. The color is j ust right from the upcoming holiday. Read on for the full recipe.

Lost Souls

This cocktail is equal parts sweet, sour, and herbal. And for Halloween’s sake, it’s bood-red thanks to some beet juice.

Ingredients:

  • 1⅓ ounces The Lost Explorer Mezcal Espadín
  • 1 ounce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge or orange liqueur
  • 1 ounce beet juice
  • ⅔ ounce fresh lime juice
  • ¼ ounce agave syrup
  • 2 dashes chocolate bitters
  • Optional: Shaved dark chocolate rim

Method:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake and strain into a coupette glass.
  3. And—if you’re feeling decadent—garnish with shaved dark chocolate. Make a wish.

Batch it out if you’re hosting this year or make it in singles if you’re hanging in solo or with a small group.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Blue Run is launching a limited-edition bourbon with commemorative USA 250th Anniversary packaging this month
Blue Run is launching patriotic packaging
Blue Run

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits is known for its award-winning portfolio of bourbons and other whiskeys. This includes prestigious events such as the ASCOT, TAG Global, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It’s the type of distillery that seems to produce only noteworthy expressions. Recently, this popular brand announced the launch of limited-edition packaging to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday.

Blue Run Spirits USA 250th Anniversary Commemorative Packaging

Read more
Brush Creek Distillery is releasing a limited-edition ‘Heroes Edition’ straight bourbon
Celebrate America's birthday with this new expression
Brush Creek

Wyoming is quickly becoming a great state for whiskey fans. While there are a handful of outstanding distilleries to choose from, Brush Creek is among the best. This popular distillery is a must-visit on your next cross-country road trip. Brush Creek is located a short 35 miles off of 1-80. It’s the perfect respite from a long journey to see the sprawling country this summer.

And while you can’t go wrong with anything in its portfolio, recently, this award-winning, small-batch craft distillery announced the launch of the 2026 release of its ‘Heroes Edition’ Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Read more
The best beers from California you can buy anywhere
California is more than just IPAs
Sierra Nevada

Currently, more than 9,000 breweries of all sizes operate in the US. That’s an awful lot of IPAs, stouts, and lagers to choose from. Some states are more saturated with breweries (per capita) than others. This includes places like Vermont, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, and, of course, California. While I could take a deep dive into all the biggest beer-producing states, today is all about The Golden State.

I have a special affinity for California beer, and it’s because of one style in particular. Sure, you can find a beer style to fit every palate in the state, but in California, the IPA reigns supreme. In fact, if you look at almost any list ranking the best beers in the state, it will be littered with IPA options. While I often imbibe pilsners and other lagers (as well as wheat beers and other lighter beers) in the summer as well as stouts and porters (and other dark beers) in the winter, I always go back to the classic West Coast IPA.

Read more