Black Widow Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/16/21
Black widow recipe

The Spruce 

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving

The black widow is Blavod Vodka's answer to a Cape Codder. It's a straightforward vodka-cranberry drink that simply opts for a cool visual effect that can only come from black vodka. This easy and eerie drink is perfect for Halloween parties and it mixes up in quickly so you can get back to your guests.

There are also two ways to construct this drink. One is to float the vodka on top of the cranberry, which may not always work if you go with a vodka other than Blavod. The second method is to create a swirling cloud of black vodka by drizzling it into the juice. With either option, the effect will be lost once the drink is stirred, but it is a fun look for a few minutes.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces black vodka

  • 3 ounces cranberry juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Gather the ingredients
    The Spruce 

  2. Pour the cranberry juice into a highball glass filled with ice.

    Add cranberry juice
    The Spruce 

  3. Float the vodka on top by pouring it over the back of a bar spoon to disrupt the flow. Or you can slowly drizzle the vodka onto the cranberry juice for a swirling effect. Serve and enjoy.

    Float or drizzle
    The Spruce 

Tips

  • If Blavod is not your vodka of choice or you can't find it, you can always make your own black vodka using whichever brand you prefer. The trick is as simple as using a certain combination of food coloring.
  • No matter what vodka you use, it may not create a perfect layer on top of the cranberry. the black will immediately take over some of the red juice and the two will slowly become one as the drink settles.

Recipe Variations

  • Pour this drink as a layered shot if you like. Simply fill a shot glass almost half way with cranberry juice then top it with the black vodka.
  • Topping this drink off with a light soda (e.g., lemon-lime or ginger ale) can create a momentary bubbling cauldron effect.
  • Have fun creating creepy garnishes for this drink. Adding a lychee eyeball on top of the glass could really freak out your guests if you don't cover it completely with the vodka. Another easy option is to get Halloween-themed iced cube trays.
  • You can use this recipe with other fruit juices as the base. For instance, Blavod floats perfectly on top of orange juice, creating drink called the October screwdriver. That would be a fun drink to top with a "pumpkin" orange garnish, though you'll have to drink it with a straw.

How Strong Is a Black Widow?

When a little dilution is factored in for the ice, the black widow is not a very potent cocktail. In fact, its alcohol content is just 14 percent ABV (28 proof), which is typical of highball mixed drinks. It's similar to drinking a glass of wine, but wine can't touch the visual appeal of this drink.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
169 Calories
0g Fat
10g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 169
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 28mg 141%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 69mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)