Vampire Bite Halloween Cocktail

Halloween is nigh and that is the night when spirits roam! Here is a Halloween inspired libation for the adult Halloween parties that you are hosting or attending. You can take the recipe and the ingredients as a hostess gift.

VAMPIRE BITE COCKTAIL

This recipe calls for homemade grenadine, which resembles blood in this vampire-inspired cocktail. Don’t be tempted to use purchased grenadine, as it is too sweet, too thin and will change the flavor of the drink.

If you have trouble finding tamarind soda (check the grocer’s ethnic aisle), tamarind juice can be blended with seltzer water.

For the grenadine “blood”:

1/2 cup pomegranate juice

1/2 cup sugar

Several drops orange flower water

For the cocktail:

Ice

1 1/2 ounces silver tequila

1/2 ounce Campari

1 ounce blood orange juice

2 ounces tamarind soda

1/2 ounce grenadine “blood”

1 slice blood orange (optional)

To make the grenadine “blood,” in a small saucepan over high heat, combine the pomegranate juice and sugar. Bring to a boil and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add the orange flower water, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until chilled.

In a highball glass filled with ice, combine the tequila, Campari, blood orange juice and soda. Lightly stir, then top with grenadine “blood.” Garnish with a slice of blood orange.

— Recipe adapted from Jonathan Pogash of Bookmarks Lounge in New York.