I hit up Caputo’s the other day and to my surprise, what did I find?
No, not an amazing array of healthy veggies that will spoil in my fridge (although they are my favorite, by far)….
No, not the best rice pudding around (although I can’t leave there without some)….
Black Vodka!
More specifically, Blavod: the world’s only premium black vodka on the market today. With Halloween coming up, I thought I would give it a spin at a party I am going to this Friday night (that’s right ladies…I am bring this bottle to the CL-MNI!)
How in the heck do they get that color? Nope, not good ol’ food coloring (can you imagine what your teeth would look like after downing a few black martinis?). The color comes from catechu, a herb found in southern Asia and central and east Africa. Rich in tannin, catechu has no effect on vodka’s flavor. However, apparently it makes the vodka a little smoother.
Enough talk, let’s get our mix on!
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| Photo: divinedinnerparty.com |
Black Widow
Equal parts Blavod and cranberry juice.
Fill glass with ice, pour cranberry juice 1/2 way and top off carefully with Blavod.
Spooky Screwdriver:
Equal parts Blavod and orange juice. Fill glass with ice, pour orange juice 1/2 way and top off carefully with Blavod.
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| Photo: Ready2Spark.com |
Black Ghost Martini
1 part Blavod
1 part Chambord
1 part cranberry juice
Izzie Sparkling Blackberry Soda to top off
Add Blavod, Chambord and cranberry juice to shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Top with soda, garnish with a blackberry. If you want to add dry ice, make sure to warn your guests NOT to ingest it!! This would make for a very um…scary drink for sure.
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| Photo: allhallowsdesign.blogspot.com |
Vampy Cosmo
1½ oz Blavod black vodka½ oz CointreauJuice of ¼ fresh lime2 oz cranberry juice
Pour contents in shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into “blood-rimmed” martini glass. Yours will turn out much darker than the photo above.
Rim: You can use raspberry syrup OR go the crazy involved route and make red liquid candy and coat the glass. For this, head over to my new fave blog, Hostess With The Mostest, for step by step instructions.
