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This Witches Brew cocktail is a mix of bourbon, blackberries, apple cider, and ginger beer. It’s has a naturally deep purple hue, making it perfect for Halloween parties, or just when you want a spooky drink!
If you love this cocktail recipe, try my whiskey apple cider cocktail or bourbon smash next!
If you’re looking for a fun drink that’s easy to make, this spooky cocktail is always big hit! It’s essentially a fruity halloween whiskey cocktail, made nice and spooky with the addition of smashed blackberries and cranberry juice for that deep purple color.
The drink is tart, sweet, and mildly spiced – perfect for the merging Fall flavors and halloween season together. I use a touch of maple syrup, apple cider, and a splash of ginger to make this into the such a delightful cocktail.
This witches brew cocktail is super easy to make, too. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker. Add everything to a glass, smash and mix together – and boom, you’ve got the perfect halloween cocktail for your next halloween party.
Table of contents
What You’ll Need
- Bourbon: adds warmth, caramel, and vanilla flavor while balancing sweetness of the drink.
- Triple Sec: brings bright citrus notes that lift the cocktail.
- Blackberries: add a deep, jammy flavor, natural tartness, and a rich purple hue. No need to use food coloring when you have these. Use leftovers and make my blackberry mojitos next!
- Cranberry Juice: provides tartness that balances the maple syrup and cider.
- Maple Syrup: adds smooth sweetness with rich caramel and earthy notes.
- Apple Cider: gives crisp, fruity fall flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
- Ginger Beer: adds fizz and spice that complements the bourbon.
Variations
- If you don’t have ginger beer, you can use ginger ale or club soda instead. Lemon-lime soda works well here too if you want a little citrus flavor.
- Maple syrup adds a nice deal of flavor, but you can use simple syrup in its place.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon. It’s just as delicious!
- No triple sec? Sub it out for 1 oz of lemon juice (lime juice works too).
How To Make Witches Brew Cocktail
Step 1: Add blackberries, maple syrup, bourbon, and triple sec to a glass. Use a muddler of the bottom of a wooden spoon to mash the blackberries.
Step 2: Strain into a glass (preferably a highball glass), then pour in apple cider, ginger beer, and cranberry juice. Mix together and add ice cubes just before serving.
Pro Tips
Serve immediately: this cocktail is best fresh, since the ginger beer will lose its fizz if it sits too long.
Muddle the blackberries well: really mash them to release all that dark purple juice. That’s what gives the cocktail its spooky, jewel-toned color and deep berry flavor. If you like a smoother drink, strain it before serving.
Use chilled ingredients: cold cider, cranberry juice, and ginger beer keep the drink crisp and refreshing instead of watered down.
Balance the sweetness: maple syrup and cider bring natural sweetness, so taste before adding the full amount of syrup. You can always add more if needed.
Add the ginger beer last: top it off after mixing the other ingredients to keep the bubbles strong and refreshing.
Garnish for drama: float a blackberry, twist of orange peel, or rosemary sprig for witchy vibes. You can also add a small piece of dry ice for a spooky smoky effect.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Mix everything except the ginger beer in a pitcher and chill for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, pour over ice and top with ginger beer for that fresh fizz.
Skip the bourbon and triple sec, add extra cranberry juice and apple cider, and a splash of orange juice for that citrus pop. You’ll still get all the fall flavor and fizz.
Definitely. Dark rum, gin, or vodka both work beautifully. Rum will make it a little sweeter and more tropical, while gin adds a floral note and vodka has more of a neutral flavor.
You can, but maple syrup adds a unique richness that really makes this drink taste like fall. If substituting, start with less sweetener and adjust to taste.
Yep! Just thaw them first so they muddle easily and release their juice.
More Cocktails
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Witches Brew Cocktail
Equipment
- Glass
- Muddler or Wooden Spoon
- Strainer (optional)
Ingredients
- 6 Blackberries, (ripe)
- 1 oz Maple Syrup
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Triple Sec
- 2 oz Cranberry Juice
- 4 oz Apple Cider
- 4 oz Ginger Beer
Instructions
- Add blackberries, maple syrup, bourbon, and triple sec to a glass. Use a muddler of the bottom of a wooden spoon to mash the blackberries. 6 Blackberries 1 oz Maple Syrup 2 oz Bourbon 1 oz Triple Sec
- Strain into a glass (preferably a highball glass), then pour in apple cider, cranberry juice, and ginger beer. Mix together and add ice cubes just before serving. 2 oz Cranberry Juice 4 oz Apple Cider 4 oz Ginger Beer
Notes
- Muddle the blackberries well: really mash them to release all that dark purple juice. That’s what gives the cocktail its spooky, jewel-toned color and deep berry flavor. If you like a smoother drink, strain it before serving.
- Use chilled ingredients: cold cider, cranberry juice, and ginger beer keep the drink crisp and refreshing instead of watered down.
- Balance the sweetness: maple syrup and cider bring natural sweetness, so taste before adding the full amount of syrup. You can always add more if needed.
- Add the ginger beer last: top it off after mixing the other ingredients to keep the bubbles strong and refreshing.
- Garnish for drama: float a blackberry, twist of orange peel, or rosemary sprig for witchy vibes. You can also add a small piece of dry ice for a smoky cauldron effect.
- Serve immediately: this cocktail is best fresh, since the ginger beer will lose its fizz if it sits too long.
- If you don’t have ginger beer, you can use ginger ale or club soda instead. Lemon-lime soda works well here too if you want a little citrus flavor.
- Maple syrup adds a nice deal of flavor, but you can use simple syrup in its place.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon. It’s just as delicious!
- No triple sec? Sub it out for 1 oz of lemon juice (lime juice works too).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
