Black Widow Smash – A Dark & Alluring Halloween Cocktail
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Get ready to be spellbound by the Black Widow Smash! This cocktail is inspired by the sleek, dangerous charm of a black widow spider, with a rich blend of bourbon, fresh blackberry syrup, and a twist of maple syrup for added warmth. It’s a perfect Halloween drink for those looking to add a touch of sophistication to their spooky celebration.
This cocktail’s intense, deep hue, paired with the tart sweetness of blackberries and a refreshing hint of mint, makes it a stand-out drink for Halloween parties. Whether you’re hosting a gathering of ghouls or celebrating with a quiet night in, this drink delivers just the right mix of cozy and creepy.
Tips for Making the Black Widow Smash Even More Sinister
Extra Garnish Touches: Add a single strand of black licorice creeping out of the glass to give an eerie “spider leg” effect.
Serve in Dark Glassware: Enhance the spooky presentation by serving it in black or smoky-colored glassware.
Use Cocktail Skewers: Use a fun cocktail skewer to hold your garnishes like these Gold Skulls.
Ice Tips: For an even more polished look, freeze blackberries into ice cubes and add them to your drink!
Edible Glitter: Add a touch of silver or gold edible glitter for a magical Halloween swirl.
Homemade Blackberry Syrup – Rich & Flavorful
The blackberry syrup in this cocktail brings out a lush, velvety sweetness with a hint of warmth. Made with fresh (or frozen) blackberries, a touch of sugar, and optional vanilla, this syrup is simple to prepare but adds impressive depth. After simmering the berries to release their rich juices, straining out the solids leaves a vibrant, jewel-toned syrup that’s perfect for mixing into cocktails or drizzling over desserts. This syrup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week, ensuring your Black Widow Smash is ready to serve whenever Halloween festivities begin!
Pairing Suggestions
Serve the Black Widow Smash with rich, savory appetizers like smoked cheeses, cured meats, or even rosemary-spiced nuts to balance its deep, fruity flavors. For a Halloween dessert pairing, consider dark chocolate truffles or a slice of blackberry tart for a full-bodied, indulgent treat.
Just for Photographers: How I Shot the Black Widow Smash
To achieve the dramatic, sultry look of the Black Widow Smash, I used:
Additional Tips: For those experimenting with this setup, try adjusting the distance of the optical spot to control the focus of the gobo pattern on the background.
Lighting Setup: I set Westcott’s optical spot with a window gobo and a green gel anywhere from 1/1 to 1/8 power. This kept the backdrop effect bright enough so it wouldn’t get washed out by the main flash lighting the drink. I placed the main flash (Geekoto GT200 on a Magmod magring with a Magmod XL diffuser) at 90 degrees to the drink, ensuring it primarily lit the glass without spilling onto the backdrop, preserving the green window effect.
Enhance your lighting setup with Magmod products—I used the Magring and Magmod XL diffuser to create perfectly diffused, professional-quality lighting for these Halloween cocktails! You can use the code AUSTINHACKWORTH to receive 5% off your order!
Black Widow Smash
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Small Saucepan
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Rocks glass
- Bar spoon
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Ice
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh blackberry syrup see recipe below
- 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 0.25 oz maple syrup for added depth
- 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Club soda to top
- Ice
Blackberry Syrup Recipe:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional, for extra warmth
Garnishes:
- Fresh blackberries
- Mint sprigs
Instructions
Make the Blackberry Syrup:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the blackberries, sugar, and water. Simmer until the berries break down and release their juices (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat, add vanilla extract (if using), and strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the berries to extract as much liquid as possible. Let cool before using.
Prepare the Cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, 1 oz of the cooled blackberry syrup, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled (about 15 seconds).
Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Top with a splash of club soda to add a bit of fizz and lighten the texture. Gently stir.
Add Garnishes:
- Add a few fresh blackberries on top and tuck in a sprig of mint
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