Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
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Serve this deep red cocktail in a coupe glass and feature a “blood” red rim made from a thickened cranberry juice and corn syrup. The cocktail’s name comes after the bite marks a vampire would leave. The crimson cocktail is a riff on a cosmopolitan made with a combination of vodka, Chambord (raspberry liqueur), cranberry juice and lemon juice and a bit of simple syrup. The edible blood rim can be made in advance for easy assembly before serving. The “blood” will drip down the rim after you dip the glass in it.
Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
Table of contents
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Vodka – This clear, distilled spirit doesn’t necessarily have as many hard and fast rules as other liquors. To do this, extract starch from various grains, fruits and vegetables; commonly potatoes, wheat or rice. Vodka at its base is less flavorful than other spirits (unless it’s flavored vodka) so it mixes well with the fruity flavors of the cocktail.
- Chambord – This black raspberry liqueur comes in a beautiful bottle and not only looks great but it adds a syrupy fruity flavor to the cocktail. Use any extra to make a mimosa with champagne and berries for a Kir Royale!
- Cranberry juice – The cranberry juice is used both to add body to the cocktail as well as to create the fake blood rim.
- Lemon juice – A bit of acidity brightens the cocktail and balances the sweet juices.
- Simple syrup – Make simple syrup by boiling equal parts sugar and water to form a sweet sticky syrup that will mix easily into cocktails. Make the simple syrup ahead of time and then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- Cornstarch – Use cornstarch to thicken the cranberry juice to create the thick syrup used to imitate blood to decorate the rim.
- Corn syrup – Corn syrup is made by extracting the sugar from cornstarch. The corn syrup thickens the syrup allowing it to drip perfectly down the rim of the glasses. The “light” designation refers to the color and not the thickness. You can use agave as a substitute, however it may not get as thick.
- Food coloring – I add a few drops of food coloring to the edible “blood” for the rim to enhance the red color created by the cranberry juice though it can be skipped.
How to Make a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
Step 1: Heat edible “blood”.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the cornstarch and cranberry juice until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture is very thick, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Thicken mixture.
Whisk in corn syrup and adjust the heat to low. Cook, whisking frequently, until the syrup thickens, about an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the food coloring until you have the desired color.
Step 3: Let cool.
Remove to a bowl or resealable container and let cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If needed, add a few drops of cranberry juice or water to thin the mixture after refrigerating.
Step 4: Rim the glasses.
Add to a shallow dish or plate and dip the cocktail glasses into the syrup. Turn the glasses over to let the syrup drip down the rim.
Step 5: Combine cocktail.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, cranberry juice, Chambord, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Step 6: Shake and serve.
Close the shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into the rimmed glass and serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Swaps and substitutions
- You can swap the cranberry juice in the blood for another red juice like pomegranate or cherry.
- In addition to the syrup “blood” the vampire’s kiss cocktail can be garnished with plastic vampire’s teeth.
- The cocktail can also be garnished with a red sugar rim to take it from a spooky Halloween-theme cocktail to a Valentine’s theme cocktail or with the addition of cranberries for a winter holiday themed drink. Just feel free to change the name based on the occasion!
To make simple syrup
In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar with 1 cup of water until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil then lower heat to medium-low and simmer until thick and syrupy, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this recipe, give these seasonal cocktails a try and follow me on Instagram:
Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail
Ingredients:
For the blood rim:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- Red food coloring, as needed (optional)
For the cocktail:
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce Chambord
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
Instructions:
For the blood rim:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the cornstarch and cranberry juice until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture is very thick, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in corn syrup and adjust the heat to low. Cook, whisking frequently, until the syrup thickens, about an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the food coloring until you have the desired color.
- Remove to a bowl or resealable container and let cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If needed, add a few drops of cranberry juice or water to thin the mixture after refrigerating.
- Add to a shallow dish or plate and dip the cocktail glasses into the syrup. Turn the glasses over to let the syrup drip down the rim.
For the cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, cranberry juice, Chambord, lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Close the shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into the rimmed glass and serve immediately.
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