Skip to Content

Poison Blackberry Martini - Halloween Cocktail

Poison Blackberry Martini is a Halloween-inspired classic martini. The purple tones of the blackberry and gel color really give this an eerie and dark look. It can be done in less than 5 minutes, and in 10 minutes if you make the blackberry syrup now.

 

Black martini Halloween cocktail with dark skull candle and orange candles in the background.

 

It’s an elegant, dark martini for your elegant Halloween party. This Poison Blackberry Martini can easily be multiplied and you can continue the party until dawn - when you need to go back to your cave, coffin, or dungeon.

 

If this sounds like your thing, I can also recommend this Black Swan's Cranberry Sangria or Halloween margarita. If you came here for the blackberry, and not necessarily for Halloween, I can also redirect you to my new favorite - the blackberry bourbon smash.

 

Why you’ll love this recipe

 

You will love this recipe if you love elegant Halloween parties and cocktails. You will also love it if you love berry cocktails, it is not necessarily just a Halloween cocktail.

 

It is an easy drink to make with minimal ingredients - but fresh ingredients, so it has a more vibrant color and more pungent, yes, fresh flavors. Definitely my kind of martini!

 

A blackberry martini seen from above.

 

Ingredients

 

The ingredients in a classic martini include

 

  • Gin
  • Dry vermouth

 

That's it! Sounds a bit boring, right? Well, I agree.

 

To make it more interesting, we can build on these ingredients with my homemade blackberry syrup. This blackberry syrup includes only fresh (or frozen) blackberries, water, sugar, and some lemon juice. Truly easy peasy. 

 

This will make a bright, bright red cocktail. Which is completely fine most of the time. If you want a darker, more eerie cocktail for Halloween (or just because) - activated charcoal or black gel food coloring is the way to go. 

 

Poison Blackberry Martini

 

Step-by-step instructions

 

If you haven’t made your blackberry syrup yet, follow this super easy 5 minute recipe. Add gin, vermouth, and blackberry syrup to a mixing glass, add ice cubes and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

 

Strain it through a fine mesh strainer into a martini glass. If you want that extra Halloween flare, add a tiny bit of black food color, stir and then serve.

 

Poison Blackberry Martini

 

The black color will sink to the bottom eventually, so you may need to stir it again. 

 

Update 2022: I have since tried this cocktail with activated charcoal as well. The color gets much blacker, and it doesn't affect the flavor at all. However, it can be a little gritty, so it depends on what you prefer.

 

Anyway, I really like both the effect of the food coloring and from the activated charcoal, so don't feel the need to get one of them in particular. Either one is fine. 

 

A completely black martini, white background.

 

Storage

 

You don't store a cocktail. But you can store the blackberry syrup for at least 1 week in the refrigerator, and then it'll take you less than 5 minutes to make the cocktail.

 

Recipe FAQs

Should a martini be stirred or shaken?

A rule of thumb when it comes to stirring or shaking a cocktail is that if it contains only alcohol - we stir it. So normally, a martini should be stirred. But in real James Bond fashion, adding blackberry syrup - we shake our Poison Blackberry Martini. 

 

Poison Blackberry Martini

 

Expert tips

Variations

No one says blackberries are the only way to make a delicious berry martini. Literally, all kinds of berries can be used in the syrup, although I think a tart berry is best.

 

You can go for raspberries, gooseberries - or a combination of a sweet and a tart berry, for example, red currants and blueberries. 

 

Oh, and if you think a passion fruit martini sounds delicious, please make sure to check out my 99 Summer Drinks too. Soo good. 

 

Poison Blackberry Martini

 

More blackberry recipes

I have been known to create all the berry recipes, including a ton of delicious blackberry recipes. Including: 

 

If you want more ideas not just for blackberries, I'd check this 24 summer berry recipes round-up out. 

 

Did you like this recipe? Here are more cocktail recipes I think you’d love:

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. 

 

As thanks, you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year. 

 

 

To keep the blog up and running this post may contain affiliate links, it will be at no extra cost to you, please read the disclosure for more information.

 

This recipe was originally published on Oct 16th, 2018, but updated on Oct 23rd, 2022 for better photos and content.

📖 Recipe

Black martini Halloween cocktail with dark skull candle and orange candles in the background.

Poison Blackberry Martini

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Poison Blackberry Martini is a Halloween-inspired classic martini. It’s an elegant, dark martini for your elegant Halloween party.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ ounces gin (5 tablespoons. May sub for vodka)
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth (1 tablespoon)
  • ½-1 ounce blackberry syrup*, (1-2 tablespoons, to taste)
  • Ice cubes
  • Black food color or activated charcoal** (optional)

Instructions

  1. If you haven’t made your blackberry syrup yet, follow the blackberry syrup recipe. And place a martini glass in the freezer for a minute or fill it with ice (to discard before adding the cocktail).
  2. Add gin, vermouth and blackberry syrup to a cocktail shaker, add ice cubes and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain it through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled martini glass.
  3. If you want that extra Halloween flare, add a tiny bit of black food color, stir and then serve.** You could also add activated charcoal when you are shaking the other ingredients.

Notes

* Recipe for 1 cup Blackberry Syrup: 50 g sugar, ½ lemon, 125 ml water, and 150 g fresh or frozen blackberries. Add sugar, lemon juice, and water into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend in a blender along with berries. For a more thorough explanation, see the blackberry syrup blog post.

** If using black gel color, it will sink to the bottom eventually, so just stir it again. Drops of food color make a longer-lasting color, but not as dark. Activated charcoal gives a nice black color all the way through, but will make some residue on the glass when you drink - could look even more Halloweeny!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 drink
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 7.2gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6.2gProtein: 0.1g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate, estimate for informational purposes only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

April

Saturday 27th of October 2018

I have started collecting holiday drinks not so long ago because each of them has a destinctive theme and is super different from what our eye is used to. This poison blackberry martini is incredible and will take a special place in my collection! :-)

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 29th of October 2018

That collection must be fantastic! I love Holiday drinks. Thank you so very much, April!

Stephanie Simmons

Wednesday 24th of October 2018

This looks incredible! I love blackberries - and this is such a fun drink to serve for Halloween!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 29th of October 2018

Thank you so much!

Mirlene

Wednesday 24th of October 2018

You had me at martini!!! This is such a pretty drink. Very interested in trying it.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 29th of October 2018

You are going to love this if you like martinis! Thank you so much!

Chef Mireille

Monday 22nd of October 2018

what a fabulous holiday drink - and love the vibrant color of it - perfect for any holiday!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 23rd of October 2018

Thank you so much!

Adriana Lopez Martin

Monday 22nd of October 2018

How refreshing and yummy is this cocktail perfect for the ghoulish parties happening this Halloween. Your photos are amazing. And using fresh fruit that is in season makes the difference in flavor.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 23rd of October 2018

Thank you so much, dear Adriana! Love using the best fresh fruit.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe