TIP OF THE DAY: Black Cocktails For Black Friday
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It’s Black Friday. When you get back from fighting the crowds, it’s time for a black cocktail.
Trouble is, the well known “black” cocktails, like the Black Russian, actually brown. But there are options, including using the first three ingredients to color any clear spirit (clear liqueurs, gin, tequila, rum, etc.): In some parts of the world, people like black vodka, which is colored with black catechu, an extract made from the bark of a southeast Asian acacia tree. Some are flavored, some aren’t. The problem is, some brands like Blavod are actually dark brown, not black. Problem #2: You can find black vodkas in Europe and Asia, but not readily in the U.S., unless you’re lucky to track down Blavod, produced in the U.K., and add some black food color. We’ve seen a photo of a glass of Eristoff vodka, from Russia, which looks pitch black. We haven’t been able to find a photo of Znaps Black Jack. If you live in a state that is covered by BevMo.com, you can order the Eristoff. The good news is, we’ve found ample supplies of black sambuca in the U.S. Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. The flavor of anise is reminiscent of fennel and licorice. Fans of these flavors have lots of opportunities to make cocktails black with black sambuca. Try a combination of black vodka and black sambuca! The best bet is to color your own vodka black. Before McCormick introduced black food color to consumers in 2007, black was approximated by combining 10 drops each of blue and red food coloring and 8 drops of green food (this is enough to color a 750 ml bottle of clear spirits). The problem with mixing the three colors in a clear liquid, as opposed to anchoring the color in frosting, is that the colors will precipitate out of the spirit, requiring shaking the bottle before pouring a drink. Best bet: McCormick black food color. It’s available in supermarkets nationwide, and online. You can also find professional black gels and pastes at baking supply stores, or online from companies like Wilton. If you have access to a fish market that sells squid ink or sepia ink (the latter from cuttlefish, a different species), you can use it in a Martini or other savory cocktail. Used in moderation, it has a slight salty tasted. Want to try it? Here’s how. According to an About.com reader, you can infuse black rice into a bottle of vodka and achieve a good black color, with no added taste. Infuse it in a cool dark place for three days or until it achieves the desired color, shaking the bottle once a day. Infuse in a large jar and strain the vodka into a clean bottle. In addition to Black Friday, you can have fun with black drinks for for: ________________ |
[1] This cocktail was made with squid ink. Here’s how from Honestly Yum. [2] Black Jack, a “shooter vodka” made by Znaps in Sweden. [3] Eristoff black vodka from Russia (photo courtesy Bev Mo). [4] McCormick black food color (photo courtesy Love From The Oven). [5] You can also use black sugar or black Hawaiian sea salt to make a rim (photo courtesy Martini Drizly). |
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[6] Black sambuca is relatively easy to find (photo courtesy Fine Wine House). [7] Great garnish for a black sambuca cocktail: licorice wheels (photo courtesy Smart Candy Shopper). [8] For a creepy garnish, use black licorice shoestrings (photo courtesy Candy Warehouse) as in this cocktail from Freutcake. |
RECIPE #1: BLACK MARTINI Use black vodka in your favorite Martini recipe. Unflavored brands include Blavod, from the U.K., Fruko-Schulz from Czechoslovakia. If you have a flavored vodka, like Znaps Black Jack, you get a licorice Martini. Ingredients Per Drink ________________ †You don’t need to salt the entire rim. The fashion these days is covering only half the rim with the rimmer. RECIPE #2: COFFEE MILKSHAKE You can make any this and other recipes as a shot. Proportions provided are for a three-ounce cocktail. Ingredients Per Drink 1. SHAKE or stir the vodka and liqueur and pour into a rocks glass over ice. Top with whipped cream and other garnishes as desired. Ingredients Per Drink 1. STIR the vodka and liqueur and pour into a rocks glass over ice. Top with whipped cream and other garnishes as desired. Ingredients Per Drink |
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Preparation 1. CREATE a sugar rim on a Martini glass. 2. COMBINE the alcohols in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into the glass.
RECIPE #5: CHERRY MARTINI Ingredients Per Drink 1. COMBINE the vodka and juice in a mixing glass with ice. Stir with ice and strain into the glass. 2. GARNISH and serve. Ingredients Per Drink 1. COMBINE the alcohol in a mixing glass with ice. Stir with ice and strain into the glass. 2. GARNISH and serve. |
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GREEN SCREWDRIVER When you mix black vodka with orange juice, the drink turns green. Consider it for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day or the first day of spring. Clever mixologogists layer black vodka with colored mixers for groovy effects. Try it!
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