If you’re seeking a black cocktail for your Halloween bash, how about giving your guests a Dead Man's Kiss, a spooky black cocktail recipe!

This eerie Halloween cocktail involves making black vodka from scratch.

No worries! Once you learn how simple and fun it is to do, you’ll use it to make all sorts of black vodka drinks.

Why you should make your own black vodka

I read that Blavod, the only commercially made black vodka, is hard to find these days. And if you can find it, it's expensive.

Instead, you have two ways to make black vodka for black alcoholic drinks.

The simplest way is to use black food coloring to dye vodka black.

However, dyes tend to separate and sink to the bottom of a cocktail glass or the bottle you’re storing your black vodka in.

Or the black dye may make your Halloween cocktail recipes taste kind of funky. If you’ve ever eaten black cake frosting, you may know what I mean. Blech!

Instead, to make black vodka cocktails like this Dead Man’s Kiss Cocktail, all you need to do is buy some black rice to make black vodka.

No worry, these days you can find black rice at most grocery stores.

It’s just that easy!

How to make black vodka

Black rice: Have you tried cooking with black rice? It’s delicious and makes such a beautiful presentation next to a piece of grilled fish or chicken.

I’ve purchased black rice at both Costco and at my grocery store. However, if you can’t find it where you live, you can purchase black rice online.

Vodka: To make black vodka for a Dead Man’s Kiss cocktail and other scary black vodka recipes, I used marshmallow vodka since it’s sweet.

Or you can use a flavored vodka such as vanilla vodka, since it’s a sweet and a neutral flavor that would work in a variety of black vodka cocktail drinks.

You can also use plain vodka and sweeten it with simple syrup, if needed.

1. To make black rice, place one cup of black rice in a clean quart sized Ball jar.

2. Fill the rest of the Ball jar with marshmallow vodka.

3. Store for 24 hours in a cool, shady area. Shake occasionally.

4. Drain contents of Ball jar over a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher or large quart measuring cup with a pouring spout. Toss the rice.

5. Wash out the Ball jar and pour black vodka back into jar. Label jar and cap with a pouring spout.

You can leave the rice sitting in the vodka for a week or longer. However, a day is sufficient as the rice gives up most of its color after 24 hours.

I felt a bit guilty throwing the rice away. I did taste a few kernels, and they were soft and flavorful.

At the time I was leaving town for a business trip and didn’t have time to use them.

If I was home, I would have saved the infused black rice leftovers, and tried to make an adult rice pudding dessert. Maybe next time!

How to make a Dead Man’s Kiss Cocktail

Since the black vodka is actually a very, very dark purple, I didn’t want to lighten the liquid up by using cream or even a golden liqueur. Instead, I wanted to combine it with amber and dark colored libations.

I went to my local, well stocked liquor store for inspiration and settled on Sabroso Licor de Café, a Mexican coffee liqueur.

You could use another coffee liquer like Kahlua.

Then I thought I’d add a touch of Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur that I had at home. (If you are allergic to nuts, leave the Frangelico out or substitute it with a chocolate liqueur.)

But what to call this delightfully sweet fun Halloween cocktail recipe?

As a tribute to one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead, the name Dead Man’s Kiss seemed appropriate for this spooky Halloween drink recipe – a bit dark, sweetly scary, and oh so enjoyable!

Looking for more Halloween party ideas?

● Serve up this pumpkin shaped Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe.

● Make Dairy Free Pumpkin Fudge  and Keto Pumpkin Mousse for your vegan guests.

● Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili can be made ahead of time and kept warm in the crock-pot.

● Try this Halloween Martini: Eyeball Highball Cocktail. 

● A Pumpkin Smoothie is an enticing alternative for those who don’t want to imbibe.

Originally published on October 19, 2015 and October 4, 2016. Updated with new pictures and information.