Black Widow
blackberries, gin, and blood-red drops
Let the grenadine run down the inside of a chilled glass; then put the glass back in the freezer so the trails 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 trails remain visible against the deep purple.
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 thick and stays in place, even when you pour in the cocktail. Eyeballs: place a blueberry inside a canned lychee - the effect is astonishing and it simply tastes good. Smoke: use a smoky mezcal instead of tequila, or place a toasted 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 when 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 drink look dark and unrecognizable - exactly what you want when you don't want people to see that it's just cranberry juice. A 33 to 36 cl tumbler is the safest choice: it stands firmly on a table full of decorations and can withstand a bump at a busy party. If you want to show off the blood effect, choose one clear glass for 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, in addition to the glass, you use a shaker, a bar spoon for stirring, and a jigger for precise measuring. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools — together € 84,80.
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 contents look dark. View our colored glasses.
How do you create the blood effect in a glass?
Run grenadine along the inside of an ice-cold glass and put the glass back in the freezer. The cold syrup becomes viscous and stays in place 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 should never be placed in a glass that is being drunk from directly. Smoky mezcal or a toasted 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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