The Witches' Brew is such a fun and colorful Halloween cocktail! The layered effect of green and purple makes this spooky drink a real showstopper. It's a tasty drink that's easy to make, and perfect for any Halloween party!
Halloween cocktails are always so much fun! If you're looking for more spooky sips, try out this green Hocus Pocus cocktail, or the tasty Vampire's Kiss vodka cocktail. I also love these Glow in the Dark Jello shots for a glow party.
The Black Mimosa is an easy Halloween Champagne cocktail, or the always popular Halloween Margarita, also with a black salt rim!
How the Cocktail Layers Work
I love the bright colors in this drink! The purple on top of the green gives it a really striking look, perfect for Halloween. These two liquids can layer on top of each other because they are two different densities -- basically, the green liquid is heavier than the purple.
The green part of the drink has syrup to make it thicker and heavier, and the Sour Apple pucker doesn't have much alcohol. The purple butterfly pea tequila layer doesn't have added sugar, plus the extra alcohol makes it even lighter, so it will float very easily!
Ingredients
There are only five ingredients in this Halloween drink!
The ingredient that makes the bottom layer green and gives it an apple taste is the Sour Apple Pucker liqueur. This is a schnapps liqueur that tastes like a green apple candy, both sour and sweet.
The green bottom layer also has simple syrup, pineapple juice and lime juice.
For the top purple layer, I used tequila that I had infused with butterfly pea flowers. You can make your own with my Butterfly Pea Tequila recipe. Or, you can use Empress 1908 gin instead, which also uses butterfly pea flowers for a purple color.
I also used black lava salt for an optional garnish around the rim. (Note that black lava salt contains charcoal, so leave it out or use plain salt or black sugar if you can't have that ingredient.)
Substitutions
If you don't have Sour Apple Pucker, you can use Midori liqueur instead. Note that you will need to increase the lime juice since Midori is sweeter.
You can also substitute orange juice for the pineapple juice. If you don't have any simple syrup, you can make your own, or use maple syrup (just keep in mind that the final color may not be as bright of a green when using maple syrup).
Equipment
You'll need some basic bar tools to make this drink. Make sure you have a jigger or small measuring cup, a cocktail shaker and strainer, and a small dish if you are using the black salt.
You'll also need a cocktail serving glass. I used a square wine glass so it was easy to see the layers. I think a Collins glass would also work really well, or a white wine glass.
Instructions
If you are using the black lava salt for the rim, add it to the glass first. Wet the rim using water or a cut lime, and then dip it into a dish of the black salt so it coats it all the way around.
Set the glass aside while you mix the drink.
Add the lime juice and pineapple juice into your cocktail shaker.
Then, add in the simple syrup and the sour apple liqueur.
Fill the shaker with ice, seal it and shake vigorously, about 15-20 times.
Then fill your serving glass with fresh ice (I used nugget ice, but crushed ice or regular ice will also work).
Strain the drink into the glass.
Carefully pour the purple tequila on top, and it should easily float to form a purple layer.
Serve and enjoy!
Hint: If you are having trouble with the float, try using a measuring cup with a spout to pour, and use the back of a bar spoon to direct the flow of the liquid.
Top tip - Nugget Ice
I used a special ice maker to make the little ice cubes for this drink, sometimes called pebble ice, nugget ice or Sonic ice. Mine is this Silonn nugget ice maker, but a more expensive version like the GE Opal nugget ice maker will keep the ice cold for you.
If you don't have a machine or nugget ice trays, you can always use regular ice and crush it up! I love crushing ice with my ice mallet and Lewis bag, or you can use a blender or even a rolling pin to smash it up. (Or, of course, just use regular ice!)
📖 Recipe
Witches' Brew
Equipment
- Small dish
- Cocktail serving glass (I used a tall wine glass with straight sides so it was easy to see the layers)
- Nugget ice maker (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon black lava salt (optional - contains charcoal)
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1½ ounces Sour Apple pucker liqueur (see Notes below if you don't have this)
- ¾ ounce butterfly pea-infused tequila (or use Empress indigo gin)
Instructions
- Add the black lava salt to a small dish.
- Wet the rim of your cocktail glass with water or a cut lime, and dip the rim into the black lava salt. Set the glass aside.
- Add the lime juice, simple syrup, pineapple juice and Sour Apple pucker to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice, seal it up and shake well for about 15-20 hard shakes.
- Fill your serving glass with fresh ice (I used nugget ice).
- Strain the drink into the glass.
- Measure out your butterfly pea tequila and carefully pour it onto the top of the drink. It should float easily, but if you are struggling, use the back of a bar spoon to help guide the liquid.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have Sour Apple Pucker liqueur, you can use Midori melon liqueur instead for a green colored drink. If you do, you will probably need to increase the amount of lime juice, since Midori is sweeter and doesn't have the sour flavor of the Pucker.
- When you stir the liquid together, it will end up a reddish pink color.
Kimberly says
This one tastes as good as it looks! Very apple-y 🙂 Let me know if you have questions about this recipe!