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The Black Widow Smash. The โspookiestโ of Halloween cocktails, but also one of the simplest. Fresh blackberries muddled with rosemary, lemon, a couple dashes of orange bitters, tequila, and topped off with sparkling water, for a little bit of fizz.ย Itโs both eerie and warming, perfect for the cool nights ahead.
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Back with another cocktail Saturday post. One that Iโve been waiting to share with you all since this time last year. Yes, I first made this โspookyโ cocktail last year. But I never got around to sharing it in time for Halloween. So I put the recipe in my back pocket and saved it for a year.
Itโs been a favorite ever since the day I made it. So I was happy to have an excuse to remake it come October. This drink is perfect because itโs so easy to shake up, I already have everything on hand. I just returned home from LA last night and have a busy weekend of catching up before heading out again on Monday. This time to NYC. However, Iโve set it as my goal to take tonight off, and enjoy some down time. This fun cocktail will be the perfect 5 minute drink to sip onโฆhopefully while watching Hocus Pocus, because Iโm dying to watch that movieย sometime this October.
I made this smash using my favorite ingredientsโฆtequila, blackberries, and some sparkles.
Hereโs how you make it. Smash up some fresh blackberries, along with a pinch of rosemary, some lemon, tequila (or mezcal, which is a nice smoky option), and a dash of orange bitters. Add sparkling water (ginger beer would be delicious here too) and done.
Could not be easier, and trust me, itโs so GOOD!
You can use either tequila or Mezcal, but I love using Mezcal for a depth of flavor in drinks. Its natural smokiness always reminds me of a crisp October night. It makes for the perfect warming drink for all the chilly fall evenings ahead.
To give this drink the ultimate spook factor, try torching a sprig of rosemary just before serving. This adds a nice eerie, smoky final touch, which you all know I love. This drink will quickly become your Halloween go-to cocktail. It can even double as an elegant Thanksgiving drink, or simply be sipped on a chilly night at home. Whichever way you choose, this is one of those drinks that will be on repeat weekend after weekend.
ENJOY! See you all tomorrow for another installment in ourย Anthropologie collaboration. Iโll be talking all things Friendsgiving!
If you make this fun cocktail please 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, donโt forget to also tag me onย Instagram!ย Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
The Black Widow Smash
Ingredientsย
- 8 fresh blackberries, plus more for topping
- 1-2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, plus a sprig for serving
- Juice from half of a lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 โ 2 ounces tequila or Mezcal
- a couple dashes of orange bitters
- sparkling water, for topping
Instructionsย
- 1. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add blackberries, rosemary, lemon juice and honey. Muddle all of the ingredients together, squishing everything to release the juices. Add the tequila and orange bitters.ย 2. Add ice to your glass and strain the drink over the ice. Top the glass with a little more ice, pour the sparkling water over, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with fresh rosemary. 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.
Can this be made into a punch? Or a large pitcher for a group? If so, how much?
Hi Tara,
You bet, just increase the serving size for the amount you want and the ingredients will adjust for you! Just wait to top each drink with sparkling water. I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
Can this be made ahead of time in a pitcher?
Yep! I would just mix everything together except for the alcohol and then add the alcohol when ready to serve! xT
Best drink EVER!!!
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! I’m SO glad you enjoyed it! xT
This was delicious! Used gin instead of tequila and it was a huge winner. Thanks Tieghan!
Hi Hailey,
Happy Wednesday! I love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for making it!
Loved the idea of this drink! I used bourbon and orange sparkling water. ?
Hi there! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! xTieghan
Iโm so happy with this recipe! I was searching for a good Black Widow themed cocktail to make before watching the film with my sister, and this was perfect for it! I am using mezcal and honey peach sparkling water to top it off.
Hey Ellie,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I’ve made this plenty of times, with ginger beer for the topping. I have to say this is my favorite cocktail ever! Such a nice flavor. I make it for my family and friends too. Love it. Thank you!
Hey Jessica,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I am the founder of The Trav Nav, a luxury travel blog. I used your recipe (with credit to you) for the Halloween episode of my Taste of Vacation series. I loved the black widow smash flavors. I even added dry ice for effect. If you are interested, you can see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DchkE0qA8uI&t=15s Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing, Michelle! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I just made this and absolutely love it! We live in the PNW and had tons of frozen blackberries from summer, so this was a great way to use them. Will be making again!
Thank you so much Natalie! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
delicious but messy! couldnโt strain through cocktail shaker, had to transfer to measuring cup and squish with spoon and i seem to have the drippiest measuring cup ever! couldnโt get the rosemary to stay smoking either but running the sprig on run was nice. thanks for the recipe!
Thank you JP! I am glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
I haven’t made this yet because I found it searching for Halloween night cocktails, but just wanted to say that your Halloween cocktail photos are next level. They are STUNNING and the ambiance you created is in them is so perfect! I’m in awe and keep going back to look at them!
I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you, Gill! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
I absolutely love the idea for this drink but I’m not much of a tequila person. Do you think it would be good with another spirit, like vodka maybe?
Hey Michelle,
I think vodka would be a great option! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan