But unlike real unicorns, or their blood, this cocktail is the real deal! It’s not mythical, and it may or may not revive the dead, but it also does not curse you for life either. Maybe. Best of all, it’s so easy to make, and most definitely looks beautiful and magical. In the spirit of Halloween, it’s Cocktail Week in The Flavor Bender kitchen. From my popular witch’s heart cocktail, hocus pocus cocktail, flaming dragon’s blood cocktail, and this color changing phoenix cocktail, you’ll be spoiled for choice for cocktail options this Halloween. So channel your inner Lord Voldemort with this uniquely rich and delicious Unicorn Blood Cocktail!
Why you’ll love this Halloween cocktail recipe
Super simple to make. Looks gorgeous, wouldn’t you agree? Tastes absolutely amazing! It’s a combination of herby/botanical flavors (from the gin), a sweet, nutty flavor and a rich mouthfeel (from the almond syrup), and a citrusy tartness (from lemon juice and orange bitters). Together, they make for a uniquely delicious and unforgettable cocktail! This unicorn blood cocktail can also be adapted as a refresher, with the addition of tonic or sparkling water.
I first created this Halloween cocktail recipe back in 2015 because I love the Harry Potter story and the world-building. It’s a fantastic work of fiction. Harry Potter cocktails, like this unicorn blood cocktail, were my way of exploring and sharing that fandom. Although my regard for JK Rowling has taken a 180 degree turn since that time after recent developments, I still love the Harry Potter story, and how much the books meant to me as I read them growing up. In the books, unicorn blood is a silvery, thick liquid. Consumed by those who have nothing to lose. What better description for a Halloween cocktail then? After all, you got nothing to lose if you’re already dead, innit? However, no unicorns were harmed in the making of this delicious Harry Potter cocktail, and anyone (of age) can drink it, I promise. My original unicorn blood cocktail (from 2015) was made with peach and raspberry flavors (see picture of the original drink at the bottom of this post), but I gave it a big, sophisticated makeover here. This Harry Potter unicorn blood cocktail is based on a delicious gin cocktail called Army and Navy. A smooth gin cocktail with creamy, tart, and botanical flavors! The orange bitters add more depth of flavor to this cocktail, while the luster dust and dry ice add that magical, Halloween-worthy, shimmery and smoky effect!
Ingredients to make unicorn blood cocktail
Gin – I use a local, Ontario gin here. You can use any gin that you like to drink. But make sure it’s a clear gin. Not colored, like a yellow colored gin or purple like the empress gin. This will provide a botanical, crisp, and clean flavor to this cocktail. Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a refreshing tartness and a wonderful zesty citrus flavor. Really perks up the vibrant flavor of this cocktail. You can use lime juice if you want to as well, but lemon tastes better in this Harry Potter cocktail recipe. Orgeat syrup – Orgeat syrup is almond syrup. This adds an absolutely amazing nutty, sweet flavor, with a hint of almond. It complements the tartness from the lemon and the herbaceous flavor of the gin. Orange bitters – Just a dash of it adds so much depth of flavor to this cocktail. The gentle bitterness and added citrus aroma make this cocktail even more vibrant. Luster dust – You don’t need luster dust to enjoy this wonderful Harry Potter inspired cocktail. However, as the inventor of homemade shimmery liqueur (aka homemade Viniq), I can’t pass up an opportunity to use luster dust to brilliant effect. And no better chance than a Halloween cocktail. Luster dust adds to the overall magical feel of this cocktail. Silver luster dust adds shimmery silver swirls to enhance the magical visual effect of unicorn blood here. Use a bright silver luster dust to make the drink bright and silvery. Dry ice – Again, an optional ingredient. The smoky effect from dry ice is solely for the visual effect, but one that is well-utilized in a Halloween cocktail. If you’re going to use dry ice there are a few precautions to take.
A note about using dry ice
Dry ice is solid CO2 gas and it goes straight from solid to gas without a liquid phase in the middle. This is called sublimation. The visible smoking from dry ice is actually the CO2 evaporating. When the smoke effect stops, you know the dry ice has completely evaporated. Dry ice does not “melt” into your drink, or leave behind any residue. While it’s not safe to consume pieces of dry ice, it’s completely safe to drink the cocktail AFTER the dry ice has evaporated. Provided, you use food-safe dry ice of course. For cocktails, only use about ½ tsp of crushed dry ice per drink, or a small ½ – 1 cm size nugget, so that it will quickly evaporate. To make crushed dry ice, place the dry ice in an ice bag and crush using a mallet or similar tool. And ALWAYS use gloves when handling dry ice. Never touch it with bare hands. Make sure dry ice is used in a ventilated space. And make sure the cocktails are prepped in an open setting to avoid CO2 build up.
How to make the Unicorn Blood Cocktail
Prepare the glass and garnishes
I use a coupe glass for this recipe, because I likes the shape of the glass. However, you can also use a martini glass, or any cocktail glass with a 4 – 5 oz capacity. You can also use an old-fashioned glass, but if the capacity is larger than 5 oz, make sure to add some ice to the glass when serving the drink. You also have the option of topping up the drink with tonic water or club soda. As a garnish, I use a slice of dried orange. Other garnishing ideas include,
Orange peel twist Lemon peel twist Slice of lemon (fresh or dried) A ghoulish stirrer (or other Halloween themed stirrer or Harry Potter themed stirrer) Edible flowers
Mix the cocktail
In a cocktail shaker, place all the ingredients, including the luster dust. Leave out the dry ice, as this is only for when serving the cocktail. Place a generous amount of regular ice and shake the cocktail to mix and chill the contents.
Strain the cocktail
Place just the smallest piece of dry ice in the cocktail glass. You can also add about ½ tsp of crushed dry ice as well. Strain the cocktail into the glasses and watch as the dry ice create a mystical smoky effect. As the dry ice evaporates, the luster dust will also create wonderful, bright, shimmery swirls.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with a slice of orange or lemon, or an orange or lemon twist and serve. You can add dry ice for additional oomph just before serving, but it’s not necessary. If you do choose to use dry ice, PLEASE be cautious and follow my instructions above. This unicorn blood cocktail is super simple to make, and the flavors and visuals are absolutely stunning! A perfectly balanced cocktail, with citrusy, tart, herbaceous, nutty flavors, with just a touch of bitterness. And just as you’d expect since you’re drinking unicorn blood here, this potion cocktail is beautiful, bright, enchanting, and may or may not endow you with magical powers. Of all the Harry Potter inspired cocktails out there, this unicorn blood cocktail is easily my favorite!
Other Halloween recipes you may enjoy
Bleeding black cupcakes (Halloween cupcakes) Halloween monster cookies Halloween rocky road slices Spooky chorizo hand pies Chocolate skull cake Mini monster cakes
