Black Widow
blackberries, gin, and blood-red drops
Let the grenadine run down the inside of a chilled glass; then place the glass back in the freezer so the streaks can set.
Muddle the blackberries with the lemon juice, or use blackberry liqueur.
Shake with the gin, syrup, and plenty of ice for 12 seconds.
Double-strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. The red streaks will remain visible against the deep purple.
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Send the recipe for the Halloween cocktails to your own email, so you’ll have it on hand when you’re ready to make it. You’ll also receive a €5 discount code for orders from €50, for the glasses that go with it.
Four tricks that really work
Blood trails: let grenadine or raspberry syrup run down the inside of an ice-cold glass and put it back in the freezer. The syrup becomes viscous and stays in place, even when you pour a cocktail into it. Eyeballs: put a blueberry in a canned lychee. The effect is striking and it simply tastes good. Smoke: use a smoky mezcal instead of tequila, or place a roasted sprig of rosemary on the glass; we advise against dry ice, as it is not safe to dose at home. Color: hibiscus or butterfly pea tea turns deep blue to purple, then shifts to pink as soon as you add lemon at the table, in front of your guests.
The right glass
Halloween is the one occasion when colored glass really works. Smoke gray, emerald green and amber instantly make any contents look dark and unrecognizable, exactly what you want when you do not want people to see that there is just cranberry juice inside. A 33 to 36 cl tumbler is the safest choice: it stands firmly on a table full of decorations and can withstand a knock at a busy party. If you want to show off the blood effect, choose one clear glass as a contrast.
RCR Pedro & Rosa Tumblers 36 cl Assorted (6 pieces)
Onis Icon Tumbler 35.5 cl Light Green (6 pieces)
Together € 81,90.
The right tools
For Halloween cocktails, besides the glass, use a shaker, a jigger for precise measuring, a glass rimmer and cocktail picks. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 4 bar tools together € 121,75.
What do you make these Halloween cocktails with?
For these Halloween cocktails, you need the right base spirits. Each drink page tells you the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it pairs with, and which glass you need.
Six cocktails for Halloween
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for Halloween cocktails?
A colored tumbler of 33 to 36 cl makes any drink look dark. View our colored glasses.
How do you create the blood effect in a glass?
Pour grenadine along the inside of an ice-cold glass and place the glass back in the freezer. The cold syrup becomes viscous and clings to the glass when you pour.
Can you use dry ice?
We advise against it. Dry ice is -78 °C and causes burns on contact with skin or mouth; it must never be placed in a glass that people drink directly from. Smoky mezcal or a roasted herb sprig creates the same effect without the risk.
What works for children?
The same recipes without alcohol: blackberry syrup with lemon and sparkling water, or hibiscus tea that changes from purple to pink when you add lime. Also check out the mocktails.
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