Cheers to Halloween {Black Widow cocktail}

 

This Halloween cocktail seems a little more complicated than the “horny devil” cocktail I shared yesterday, but its presentation is sure spooktacular.

Personally I have never heard of black vodka, but I checked online, and it does exist. I just have not checked my local Rouse Supermarket to see if it is carried there. Black food coloring in regular vodka works too.

Black Widow

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

5 oz black vodka such as Blavod (or vodka + black food coloring)
1/2 oz Pernod
Sugar Spiderweb (recipe at bottom)
Licorice Spider (recipe at bottom – or just use a gummy spider!)

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add black vodka and Pernod. Shake vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with Sugar Spiderweb and Licorice Spider, if desired. (P.S. Check out another Black Widow Martini recipe with a black raspberry kick right here!)

Pernod is alcoholic and liquid. Pernod is the brand name of a type of liqueur called a pastis. Its relative in Greece is ouzo and in Spain ojen. Another French brand is Ricard. The leading characteristic of these drinks is their licorice flavor, which is produced either with licorice (the plant, not the candy) or anise. Its other interesting feature is that it clouds up with the addition of water.

 

Sugar Spiderweb Garnish

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

1-1/4 cups sugar
1/3-cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water

Spray 2 large sheets of parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water; cook over medium-high heat, occasionally brushing down sides with water to prevent crystallization. Continue until mixture reaches 320º on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Working quickly, drizzle caramel with a spoon onto prepared parchment paper, forming spiderwebs. Cool completely or until set. Using a small offset spatula, carefully remove web from parchment paper, and place on top of glass.

Cheers {Black Widow}, y’all!