The words “zombie apocalypse” likely bring to mind shambling, ravenous corpses, desperate survivors, and a bleak, terrifying world straight out of your favorite horror movies… not boozy cocktails or delectable dishes. However, if you’re planning a zombie game night or theme party, horror movie marathon, or even a Halloween bash, these food and drink recipes are sure to make your guests scream for more!

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Why Throw a Zombie Apocalypse Theme Party?

Books, video games, and movies have long explored the idea of a world in which some humans become mindless, hostile undead, and those who remain must fight to survive. From Night of the Living Dead in 1968 up to modern media such as The Walking Dead, The Last of Us, Resident Evil, and many more, the zombie apocalypse has captured imaginations around the world. Audiences must ask themselves: In such a scenario, what skills would I rely on? Who would I want fighting by my side?

A zombie party gives you a chance to gather your crew of survivors, celebrate one another’s strengths, and deepen your bonds without the actual threat of an undead horde. Decorate your home as a ruin, a bunker, a lab, or the setting of your favorite zombie outbreak movie. Encourage friends to dress up in costumes as hardy survivors (or as zombies themselves!). Prepare these apocalyptically awesome recipes using the tips below. Then get ready for a zombie party you and your friends will never forget!

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 1: Bloody Zombie Cocktail

Spice up the classic Bloody Mary with this savory, delicious mixed drink. Hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a spicy rim give the Bloody Zombie plenty of zip to wake you up for another day of fighting off the horde. You and your zombie party guests can customize this cocktail endlessly, from the type of hot sauce or garnish you use to whether you select vodka, tequila, or gin as your liquor of choice. You can even leave out the alcohol entirely and pour your friends a delicious mocktail instead!

Go to Recipe: Bloody Zombie

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 2: Mutant Meat Skewers

These handheld teriyaki delights are perfect for survivors on the run, and those skewers will make a convenient weapon in a pinch! Bite-sized morsels of chicken, beef, mushrooms, broccoli, and onions form a complete meal on a stick. Drizzle with teriyaki sauce – homemade or store-bought – and the tangy sweetness creates a perfect finish. Cook on the stove or, if you’re having a backyard zombie party, fire up the grill instead. Enjoy skewers as your main entree or as tasty snacks depending on how many you eat!

Go to Recipe: Mutant Meat Skewers

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 3: Scavenger’s Maple Bourbon Sour Cocktail

Like a skilled scavenger, you’ll bring together simple ingredients to make something new and extraordinary: This delightfully creamy Maple Bourbon Sour. Half an ounce of maple syrup and the smallest pinch of black pepper elevate the classic bourbon sour to a whole new experience. As always, be mindful of the risks when consuming raw egg white.

Go to Recipe: Scavenger’s Maple Bourbon Sour

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 4: Survivor’s Crucible Salad

If there’s one thing zombie apocalypse survivors tend to rely on, it’s canned goods. This recipe is the perfect way to combine a can of bean medley with a handful of fresh vegetables and seasonings, creating a flavorful cold bean salad that can be served as a fun side dish for your party. To take the theme one step further, save some cans with no sharp edges, wash carefully, and use them to serve individual portions of your salad.

Go to Recipe: Survivor’s Crucible Salad

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 5: The Apocalypse Cocktail

The tart and tangy Apocalypse is a delicious drink with a radioactive green hue, thanks to the mix of blue curaçao and bright orange Tang (yes, the powdered drink that kids and astronauts adore!). Give this boozy beverage a hint of sweetness with a maraschino cherry garnish. After a few sips, you might start to think the apocalypse isn’t so bad after all!

Go to Recipe: The Apocalypse

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Zombie Theme Party Recipe 6: Zombie Brains Pasta

This dish might fool a zombie with how much it resembles a bowl of brains, but your human guests will be the ones to appreciate this rich and flavorful pasta. Fusilli corti bucati – a pasta shape ideal for holding sauces – forms the base of this dish, while the sauce combines spices, tomato paste, and a tin of anchovies. Don’t let the anchovies scare you! They dissolve into the sauce during the cooking process, boosting the incredible taste.

Go to Recipe: Zombie Brains Pasta

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Serving Your Zombie Party Recipes

In order for your food and drinks to really wow your zombie party guests, don't neglect to plan for how they'll be served! Set up a table for all the snacks and entrees, and if the space allows, have a bar area where you can mix up cocktails for your guests or they can create their own.

Decorations will help set the scene. Check your closet for old Halloween decorations that could be repurposed, or even supplies from a past Halloween party. Zombie-themed party supplies can include paper plates and napkins designed with zombie motifs. Blood-splattered tablecloths are easy to create with a little food coloring and can be used to enhance the spooky atmosphere. Use biohazard signs and caution tape to give your party that zombie outbreak vibe.

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Survivor’s Crucible: The Zombie Party Game from StoryPop

Now that you have a variety of recipes to fit your party theme, what’s next? Fun entertainment!

Your zombie apocalypse party could involve watching movies or playing video games from the genre. But to make your party truly unique and memorable, offer guests a chance to step into an immersive end-of-the-world experience with Survivor’s Crucible, the zombie-themed role playing party game from StoryPop!

In Survivor’s Crucible, you and your guests will find yourselves in the middle of a devastating zombie outbreak, role playing as a group of strangers who seek refuge in a possible safe haven. With your stronghold’s main entrance under relentless siege by the undead, you’ll need grit, cunning, and cooperation to survive through three rounds of gameplay where each player has a unique role with objectives to complete.

StoryPop’s immersive, role playing party games are guided by the StoryPop app. As the host, you’ll use the app for sending invitations, assigning character roles, setting the scene with vibe inspo and DIY decor, and of course, running the game! It couldn’t be easier (or more fun) to throw a zombie apocalypse party your guests will never forget.