Make it an extra spooky Halloween with this Black Widow Martini! Featuring freshly muddled blackberries and real pomegranate juice to capture those deep, dark Halloween vibes, this martini is sure to get you in a festive mood for some frighteningly good times. Everyone will love to sip on this Halloween martini all October long.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just as delicious as it is festive. A Halloween cocktail is always fun, but you don't want to just pour together a bunch of weird, neon-colored liqueurs to get a cool Halloween look that tastes terrible. We use high-quality ingredients to create a cocktail that you'll actually enjoy sipping.
- That spooky color. Are you scared yet? With the almost-black hue and touch of sparkles, this cocktail is sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
- Can double as a Black Widow cocktail for an Avengers night. While I think of this as a Halloween cocktail, who said it's only for one occasion? If you have any kind of Avengers night or super hero party, this is your perfect signature cocktail.
Ingredients
I especially love the ginger liqueur in this cocktail and truly think it gives this drink a little something extra. Hey, we're talking Halloween in the fall, so who doesn't appreciate a kick of spice in their cocktail?
If you've never bought ginger liqueur, I love Domaine De Canton. It's ultra smooth and balances sweet and spicy notes perfectly. I use it in my sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita, and it adds such a wonderful warmth. You could also swap orange liqueur in a pomegranate martini for the ginger liqueur or add ½ ounce to a holiday mimosa, so you have plenty of reasons to grab a bottle besides this one drink.
Trust me -- one taste and you'll want to add this liqueur to lots of other cocktails. It may be more of a specialty liqueur than, say, an orange variety, but it will find plenty of use in your bar inventory.
You'll also notice the edible glitter. I get my edible glitter from Sugar Mama Shimmer, and this shade is Black Tie Shimmer. It's completely tasteless and textureless. Although edible glitter is optional, it adds such a fun touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: To make our drink, we grab a cocktail shaker and add a handful of blackberries (photo 1) with the simple syrup and muddle until they break down like so (photo 2).
Step 2: Now we add our pomegranate juice, vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon juice and edible glitter with a big handful of ice (photo 3).
Step 3: We put on the top and give it a good shake (photo 4).
Step 4: With our black Halloween cocktail nice and cold, we strain it into a chilled martini glass. If you want to get extra eerie, drop a piece of dry ice into the cocktail, and keep on reading for safety tips.
And those are all the steps! Now sit back and enjoy your spooky Black Widow Martini for a festive Halloween celebration.
Recipe FAQs
You can add dry ice directly to a cocktail with a few precautions. Do not ingest or touch dry ice with bare skin. I always use tongs to grab the dry ice and place a small piece in the serving glass.
Once you add the dry ice, it’s very dense and will sink to the bottom. Let your guest know not to ingest the ice. They can either sip from the top until the dry ice melts and stops steaming, or let them know to simply wait it out, about five minutes.
Of course, dry ice is completely optional, so if you’d rather not add it to the cocktail, you can skip it. That dark hue is enough to get you in the Halloween spirit.
I recommend two easy methods to chill your martini glass. If you remember to plan ahead, simply place your serving glass in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
The other method is to fill your serving glass with cold water and ice when you begin to mix your drink. After mixing the cocktail, stir the ice for 30 seconds, toss the water and ice, and you’ll be left with a chilled glass.
You sure can. I included the proportions in the notes section of the recipe card.
If you don't mind fresh fruit bits, you can muddle right into the pitcher or punch bowl, or you can place the berries in a fine-mesh sieve with a bowl underneath. Muddle the berries in the sieve and use the juice you collect in the bowl. Add that juice to the pitcher or punch bowl with the vodka, ginger liqueur, lemon juice, pomegranate juice and simple syrup and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Expert Tips
- While I recommend picking up a muddler if you enjoy making cocktails, you can use a sturdy wooden spoon to pulverize the blackberries if you don’t have one.
- If you can't get fresh blackberries, frozen berries work fine. Just make sure you thaw them first.
- Before juicing the lemon, firmly roll it on the counter a few times to get the juice flowing.
- I like to use a handheld juicer to more easily and efficiently extract the juice and catch large seeds.
- Pick a lemon that have some give when you press into it to ensure it’s still juicy.
- For a proper shaking technique, use two hands.
Perfect Pairing
Blackberries nicely complement beef entrees, and they’re wonderful with spice. With that in mind, you’ll love my apple cider short ribs or apple cider pot roast with this blackberry Halloween cocktail. The berries add a nice pop of brightness, and you’ll love how the sweetness pairs with the rich cuts.
Blackberries are also fabulous with duck. My holiday roast duck is a perfect option as well.
For one frighteningly delicious Halloween cocktail, I hope you try this Black Widow Martini. It will get you in the Halloween spirit in no time.
Cheers!
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Black Widow Martini
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Citrus juicer
Ingredients
- ¼ cup blackberries
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces pomegranate juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce ginger liqueur
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Pinch of edible glitter optional
- Regular ice
- Dry ice optional (see notes for safety instructions)
Instructions
- Add the blackberries and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the berries are pulverized.
- Pour in the pomegranate juice, vodka, ginger liqueur and lemon juice. Add a pinch of edible glitter and a handful of ice.
- Put on the top and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. If desired, use tongs to gently add a 1-inch piece of dry ice into the glass and see notes for safety instructions. Enjoy!
Notes
- Do not touch dry ice with bare skin or ingest it. Make sure to use tongs to transfer the ice. Gloves are also a good idea. The ice will drop to the bottom of the glass. Either let your guest know to sip the cocktail from the top until it stops bubbling, or set the cocktail out to show off the fun effect but don't serve until the bubbling stops, about five minutes.
- While I recommend picking up a muddler if you enjoy making cocktails, you can use a sturdy wooden spoon to pulverize the blackberries if you don’t have one.
- For the edible glitter, I used Black Tie from Sugar Mama Shimmer.
- If you can't get fresh blackberries, frozen berries work fine. Just make sure you thaw them first.
- Before juicing the lemon, firmly roll it on the counter a few times to get the juice flowing.
- I like to use a handheld juicer to more easily and efficiently extract the juice and catch large seeds.
- Pick a lemon that have some give when you press into it to ensure it’s still juicy.
- For a proper shaking technique, use two hands.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Natalie says
Such a fun drink. I'm going to make this for me and my hubs this Halloween. Thanks for the recipe.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're very welcome! Have a great time celebrating.
Swathi says
Black widow martini looks delicious perfect for Halloween party.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! It really is.
Melanie says
This is my kind of Halloween celebration! I have a bottle of vodka sitting in the cabinet so I know what I'll do with it now. Saving for later!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Sounds perfect!
Gail Montero says
Flavors galore in this festive drink! It shouldn't just be for fall but any and all season long!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
No argument from me! You can totally enjoy it all year long.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Such a fun recipe for Halloween! Love the color and the blackberry garnish. Can't wait to make it.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Enjoy and have a happy Halloween!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Such a festive cool looking drink it's on my list to make for the weekend thanks for sharing we are going to love it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome! Happy Halloween!
Keri Bevan says
I've saved this to make on Halloween. Such a great recipe!
Jyoti Behrani says
Wow!! This is such a cool and fun drink to serve at the Halloween party. I am definitely making it this year. Thanks for the recipe!
Julie says
I am loving the flavors in this martini. The blackberries and ginger liqueur are so good together. A perfect cocktail for Halloween!
Cathleen says
Too bad I'm giving birth 3 weeks after Halloween! This looks amazing! Saving it to make next year. Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
Tatiana says
This is one amazing cocktail to serve at the Halloween party this year!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Glad you like it!