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Sharing a “spooky” Halloween cocktail that’s one of my fall favorites, The Golden Snitch Cocktail. Inspired by the Harry Potter series, this bubbly golden drink is a mix of sweet apple cider, whiskey, St. Germain (elderflower liquor), lemon, maple, and spices. This incredibly simple cocktail is nothing short of delicious. It’s the perfect moody drink to serve up this Halloween…or anytime you’re in need of a good Harry Potter cocktail.
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It’s only just October, but I’m already getting into the “spooky” cocktails. Clearly I am way too excited that October has finally arrived. In my defense, it is a pretty exciting month. First with the release of HBH Super Simple on the 29th and then Halloween on the 31st. Can’t wait!
But I’m also just really excited for the next few weeks leading up to everything. We have so much work ahead of us, so it’s a little overwhelming. But I’m happy that my “work” requires me to be creative and mix up recipes like this fun Harry Potter themed drink. It’s my favorite thing to do.
The inspiration
If you’ve read the Harry Potter series or seen the movies, you know that the “Golden Snitch” is a tiny little gold ball with wings. It’s the ball used in the game of Quidditch, and it’s Harry’s job as the seeker to catch the snitch. The golden color of the snitch is what inspired this cocktail. And that’s the back story.
Honestly, I’ve wanted to create a cocktail called the Golden Snitch for years. Finally, this was the year!
I knew I wanted to create a drink that was deep gold in color, bubbly, and delicious. I also knew it needed to be perfectly seasonal, warming, and a touch bubbly too.
Here is how you make the golden snitch
The best part about this drink is how easy it is. Just shake up some fresh apple cider, whiskey or bourbon, a touch of St. Germain (elderflower liquor), lemon, maple for sweetness, cinnamon, and ginger. Strain into a fancy coupe glass rimmed in cinnamon sugar. Add ice, add bubbles, and finish with a cinnamon stick.
Takes 5 minutes to put together, is incredibly pretty, but yet moody at the same time. And most importantly…it’s delicious! A touch sweet, but not overpowering in any way…because I really dislike overly sweet cocktails. It has a kick from the whiskey, spice from the ginger, and warmth from the cider and cinnamon.
SO GOOD.
And do you see the Golden Snitch floating around each cocktail? That’s simply a cocktail cherry, wrapped in edible gold leaf. I stuck in small feathers for wings and placed them around the drinks. Simple, but it works.
Since I know many of you host Halloween parties, I’ve provided you with both a single cocktail recipe, as well as a punch variation that’s perfect for entertaining!
And guys? That’s it. As is customary with Cocktail Saturday posts, I’m keeping things short and sweet. Hope you all enjoy this fun Harry Potter inspired cocktail…and all the upcoming cocktails we’ll be sharing from now until Christmas!
If you make the golden snitch cocktail be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
The Golden Snitch Cocktail.
Ingredients
- cinnamon sugar, to rim glass
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 1/2 ounces whiskey or bourbon
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liquor (St. Germain)
- juice from 1/2 a lemon
- 1-2 teaspoons, (more or less to taste) pure maple syrup
- dash ground cinnamon
- dash ground ginger
- sparkling water, for topping
Instructions
- 1. If desired, rim glasses in cinnamon sugar.2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker except the sparkling water. Add ice and shake to combine. Strain into glass. 2. Add 1 ice cube and top with sparkling water. Serve with a cinnamon stick. Drink.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
The Golden Snitch Punch
Ingredients
- cinnamon sugar, to rim glasses
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 9 ounces whiskey or bourbon (roughly 1 1/4 cups)
- 3 ounces elderflower liquor (St. Germain)(just over 1/3 cup)
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6-8 teaspoons (more or less to taste) pure maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2-4 cans sparkling water, for topping
Instructions
- 1. In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients except the sparkling water. Chill until ready to serve.2. When ready to serve, add the sparkling water. If desired, rim glasses in cinnamon sugar, fill with ice. Pour punch into glasses.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
My new favorite cocktail! This was a huge hit. I even forgot the sparkling water and it was great. I tend to like my cocktails a bit boozier, so I did 2 oz of bourbon per serving instead of 1.5.
Love that! Thank you so much Lanie!! xTieghan
Such a lovely cocktail! All the flavors of fall made light and refreshing by the sparkling water. Will be making the others in the Harry Potter series as well!
Thank you so much Abby! xTieghan
This is really good. I used fireball whysky which really added to the cocktail in the cinnamon flavor but it was very Alcoholic with cider and whyski and because cider is fizzy it bubled up quite a bit. To reduce the alcohol you could substitute for the apple juice or sparkling apple juice
I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Trischa! Thank you! xTieghan
This is great fun!! Good stuff Tieghan thanks for this.
Thank you Mark!! I am so glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
The power came back on last evening after a terrible windstorm shut down most of my state, so I opted to whip up a celebratory batch of these for me and the elders. Agree with Dana that I thought they may be too sweet, but the crowd (and I) approved! A nice autumn cocktail, to be sure! Much thanks.
I am so glad you all still loved this recipe Kim! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Another stunner! Thought it would be too sweet, but the bourbon really balances it all out. Will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
Thank you so much Dana! xTieghan
Made this last night, so tasty! I might make it again tonight with the full 2 tsp maple syrup, with 1 tsp it was just a smidge tart for my taste. Oh, it would be helpful to have a fl oz measurment for the lemon juice as well, I used 3/4 fl oz since my lemons are practically grapefruits!
Thank you so much Victoria! I am so glad you loved this! xTieghan
Found this one delicious! I made it over the weekend for our neighbors for our evening walk (with dogs and togo cups). We wondered- given the cold coming into Colorado this week (we are on the front range) if it would work as a hot drink??
Hi Grant! I am sure you could slowly simmer these ingredients together to create a warm cocktail. I would replace the sparkling water with a splash of milk or cream. That will be incredible! Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you! xTieghan ???
Oh man, this is so good. I’ve been looking for new ways to use up bourbon and St. Germaine and there’s no better way to do that than by celebrating Harry Potter. Thanks for sharing! I will definitely be making this one again soon.
Thank you so much Celia! xTieghan
Just based on the description, this sounded like my DREAM cocktail so immediately had to make it, and it did not disappoint! So good!
Fun fact: I dressed up as a Golden Snitch for Halloween last year, so love this all the more for that!
YES! I love that! Also, really glad this cocktail turned out so well for you Mandy! xTieghan
Sounds festive and delicious.
Thank you Sandra! xTieghan
What kind of whiskey/bourbon do you usually use??
Hey Kim! I usually use Four Roses bourbon or Woodford. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Good Morning,
Any suggestions to sub for the Elderflower Liquor ? Sound intriguing, tho.
It is on my list next shopping trip
thanks…Happy Saturday.
Hi Leslie! You can omit the elderflower liquor completely or us additional whisky in place of it. Either option works great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
very nice cocktail even though I had no idea what a golden snitch is! Lot of components to it, but luckily have most or maybe even all of them, thank you
Haha I am so glad you still love this Sabrina! Thank you! xTieghan
Yessss I love Harry Potter AND elderflower so this should be a lovely recipe to try!!
One thing, though..for the pitcher version, it calls for 3 oz of whiskey and then you say ‘roughly 1-1/4 cups’? ….3 oz is way less than 1-1/4 cups, so just checking?
Thanks,
A humble Ravenclaw
Hi Jean!! So sorry, that was a typo. You need 9 ounces. Recipe has been adjusted. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Hey Jean! Thank you so much for catching that typo. Recipe is all fixed! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???