Local Halloween deals on sweets and treats

While old pumpkin, ghost, and superhero kiddie costumes of Halloweens past gather dust in the closet, one childhood Halloween staple never seems to get old: the sweets.

The excitement of eating all things sugared and sprinkled, orange and black isn’t just for kids. In fact, there’s a wide variety of fun Halloween treats, ranging from the traditional candy to festive cocktails, that are perfect for the college crowd.

For the classics, from Almond Joys to Zours, the best deals are often found at drugstore sales. However, not all candy aisles are created equal. At Duane Reade on the corner of Broadway and 111th St., there’s a stereotypical mix of childhood favorites, ranging from candy corn to the beloved jumbo variety packs. The standout item there is undoubtedly the most unique of the bunch, Jet-Puffed GhostMallows—yes, marshmallows shaped like ghosts. At only $1.79 a bag, these seasonal treats are an economical yet quirky way to cheer up a cup of hot chocolate, or just to snack on by themselves. There’s also the perennial classic sacks of Brach’s Candy Corn at the unbeatable price of 99 cents each.

Yet, as inviting as the Duane Reade selection is, the aisle at the 110th St. and Broadway Rite Aid is even more comprehensive. The selection here appears over twice as large as Duane Reade’s, and most of the mainstream candy also happens to be cheaper. While the 99-cent candy corn special is the same at Rite Aid, an additional sugar rush comes with the presence of its lesser-known cousin, indian corn—basically candy corn with a brown strip of chocolate flavor at the end instead of the usual yellow.

But in case kiddie treats don’t suit more discerning tastes, Milano Market and Westside Market both offer more grown-up sweets. At Milano, the selection is limited but includes a tasty-looking shelf of chocolate black cats, pumpkins, and ghosts. There is also the not—so—sophisticated stack of Halloween Peeps for those with the strongest of cravings for sweets.

Meanwhile, at Westside, foodies can find a clever twist on the traditional black-and-white cookie, with orange frosting instead of plain white. Most of the other Halloween treats are hidden at the ends of aisles, but a little hunting yields a spooky surprise—Entenmann’s cupcakes, frosted in orange and topped with candy corn, also available in mini-size.

There are also creepy cocktails for adult—oriented Halloween parties, such as the Dracula’s Kiss and the Red Zombie. For a themed garnish, it’s quick and easy to make “eyeballs” out of radishes—just cut away the skin making the remaining stripes look like veins, cut a hole in the middle, and insert a green olive to serve as the “iris” and “pupil.”

Whether it be candy or BOO-ze, trick-or-treating or a classy party, Halloween treats are available for every age and age-at-heart.

Pick your poison with these spooky cocktail recipes:
Red Zombie
2 oz. vodka
4 oz. cranberry juice
1/2 oz. triple sec
Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass with sugared rim.

Dracula’s Kiss
1 oz. black cherry vodka
1/2 oz. grenadine
Cola
Maraschino cherries for garnish
Coat bottom of highball glass with grenadine. Add ice and vodka. Fill with cola. Garnish with cherries.