Blood Red Cocktail
Blood-Red Cocktail: Bloody Margarita
A dark red, blood-like margarita with blackberry syrup and Aperol, served with a black lava salt rim for a gothic, earthy tang. Its viscous, crimson hue and tart-sweet profile evoke a vampire’s feast or a ritual sacrifice, making it a chilling addition to this page.
Ingredients (makes 1 cocktail):
1½ oz silver tequila (blanco, e.g., Patrón Silver)
½ oz Aperol (for bitter orange notes and red hue)
¾ oz blackberry syrup (see below for preparation)
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz Cointreau (or any orange liqueur)
Black lava salt (for rim; mix 1 tsp activated charcoal with 2 tbsp sea salt if unavailable)
Garnish: Lime wedge or skewered blackberry
Ice: For shaking and serving
Blackberry Syrup (makes enough for 4–6 drinks):
1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
Equipment:
Cocktail shaker
Hawthorne strainer
Rocks glass or margarita glass
Small saucepan (for syrup)
Small plate (for salt rim)
Instructions:
Prepare Blackberry Syrup (make ahead):
In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar, and water over medium heat.
Bring to a gentle boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, then simmer for 15 minutes until the berries break down.
Mash berries with a spoon or fork to release juice, then strain through a fine sieve into a clean jar, discarding solids.
Cool and refrigerate (keeps for 2 weeks).
Prepare Glass:
Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks or margarita glass.
Dip the rim into black lava salt (or a mix of 1 tsp activated charcoal and 2 tbsp sea salt) on a small plate to coat.
Mix Cocktail:
In a cocktail shaker, combine 1½ oz tequila, ½ oz Aperol, ¾ oz blackberry syrup, ¾ oz lime juice, and ½ oz Cointreau.
Add a handful of ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until chilled.
Serve:
Fill the prepared glass with ice.
Strain the cocktail into the glass over the ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge or a skewered blackberry.
Serve immediately, letting the blood-red hue and black rim set the gothic mood.
Health Warning:
Black Lava Salt: If using a charcoal-salt mix, the same activated charcoal precautions apply. Use sparingly and avoid if taking medication within 4 hours.
Serving Tips:
Serve with gothic flair, like a blood-stained napkin or a red candle dripping wax, to enhance the diary’s macabre storytelling.
For a non-alcoholic version, replace tequila and Cointreau with orange juice and sparkling water, keeping the blackberry syrup for color.
Source: Adapted from “Bloody Margarita with Black Lava Salt Rim” by Azlin Bloor at LinsFood (October 14, 2017). Blackberry syrup preparation and serving suggestions refined using techniques from The Flavor Bender (for syrup consistency) and GoodtoKnow (for blood-red cocktail aesthetics, September 26, 2023).
Additional Notes
Activated Charcoal Sourcing: Purchase food-grade activated charcoal powder or capsules at health food stores (e.g., Holland & Barrett) or online (e.g., Amazon). Ensure no added ingredients (like ginger) that could alter taste.
Safety Reminder: Always inform guests about activated charcoal’s potential to interact with medications, and use it in small quantities (e.g., ¼ tsp per drink).
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