Vampire Blood Cranberry Orange Martini

Vampire Blood Martinis use a gin base and are the perfect combination of sweet, bitter and tangy thanks to cranberry juice, orange liquor, Aperol for a bite and lime juice. Plus, they can be made in 5 minutes or less!

Spooky cocktails are basically the best part of Halloween as an adult. And while obviously, the goal is to have something delicious to drink, it’s important to have a beverage that’s easy to prep – because we’re definitely having more than one. Cheesy fake vampire teeth and candy blood are optional, but this drink is a must-have. Here are some reasons why:

• Perfectly balanced – These martinis have a multidimensional flavor profile thanks to the sweetness of cranberry juice and orange liquor, mixed with the bitterness of Aperol and the tartness from a splash of lime juice.
• Fun festive color – that will look perfectly on-theme for your Halloween party table
• Quick prep time – prep these in 5 minutes or less

Hosting a Halloween get together? Check out our pumpkin pie spiced popcorn, Pumpkin ice cream pie, and herbed mulled cider.

Ingredients

• Ice
• Gin (or vodka)
• Cranberry juice
• Orange liquor
• Aperol
• Lime juice (fresh is best, but “store bought is fine” – IYKYK)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

1. Juice lime and set juice aside.
2. In a martini shaker, add about ½ cup of ice.
3. Pour cranberry juice, orange triple-sec, gin, Aperol and pour lime juice over ice.
4. Close and shake cocktail shaker vigorously for approximately 30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker has frosted (if using a classic metal shaker).
5. Pour into martini glasses, or glasses of your choice and enjoy 

Equipment

Using a medium to large sized cocktail shaker (versus a small cocktail shaker) will allow for ample room to shake the cocktail, making for a cooler cocktail and a chance for the ice to break into smaller chips.

Substitutions

Don’t like gin? Swap it out for vodka instead, though this is one of those recipes where gin is so well incorporated that you won’t get a ton of the pure gin flavor, if it’s not your thing.

Storage

This martini can be made ahead of time, once martini ingredients are shaken, drain immediately and store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 days ahead of time (so that the ingredients and flavors stay relatively fresh). For easier assembly, you can also choose to assemble everything in an airtight container (without ice) and shake with the lid on, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator.

Top Tip

Shake cocktail shaker as vigorously as possible (while ensuring lid stays secure – use two hands if you need to – no one needs their kitchen or bar covered in sticky cocktail), allowing smaller ice crystals to form.