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This black magic rum Halloween cocktail is a bold and eye-catching drink that adds instant spookiness to any October party. The shimmering purple base turns jet black with a pour of activated charcoal-infused rum. It’s not just about the look either. With the fruity flavors of grape, cranberry and strawberry, it’s as tasty as it is dramatic. Add edible glitter or pearl dust if you want extra shimmer. It’s fun, flavorful and absolutely unforgettable.
The unusual combination of sour grape schnapps and strawberry rum, fruit juice and even activated charcoal results in a devilishly delicious Halloween drink.
More Halloween treats to consider include ice cream floats, this lunar elixir haunted cocktail or what about Halloween mummy hot dogs?
Why You’ll Love It
Visually stunning: This cocktail actually changes color with a spooky black swirl.
Halloween perfect: It’s tailor-made for themed parties or adult trick-or-treat fun.
Fruity and flavorful: Grape, cranberry and strawberry make a bold combo.
Make ahead friendly: Mix the components ahead and chill until party time.
Customizable: Add shimmer or edible glitter to suit your style.
Black Magic Cocktail Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Juice: White cranberry-strawberry juice adds a lightly tart fruitiness and pale base.
Grape schnapps: A deep purple schnapps brings sweetness and vivid color.
Pearl dust: This optional shimmer makes your drink glow under lights.
Strawberry rum: Sweet and fruity with a hint of tropical flavor.
Activated charcoal: This is what gives the “black magic” swirl when poured in (find activated charcoal here).
Edible glitter: For a magical finishing touch that fits the Halloween theme.
Optional garnishes: Pearl dust decorating powder and star-shaped glitter make the cocktails so pretty.
How to Make Black Magic Cocktails
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Chill the base: Shake the juice and schnapps with ice, then strain into a martini glass.
Mix the black potion: Stir together rum and activated charcoal in a small pourable container.
Assemble the drink: Pour the black rum into a test tubes and place it in the glass.
Finish and serve: Let your guests pour in the black potion, then add glitter if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Juice swap: Use white cranberry or pink cranberry if white cranberry-strawberry is unavailable.
Schnapps swap: You must use purple-colored grape schnapps or the cocktail won’t look right.
Charcoal-free option: Skip the capsule if you prefer, or use black food-grade poppy seeds for a milder effect.
Gluten free: All ingredients are naturally gluten free, but double check labels if needed.
Serving Suggestions
With appetizers: Enjoy skull potatoes and antipasto eyeballs with your black magic rum Halloween cocktail.
With sweet treats: Pair them with leftover candy brownies, candy apples, candy corn peanut butter cookies, and pots de creme.
How to Store Black Magic Rum Halloween Cocktails
Store: Leftovers will keep for a few days. To make ahead of time, prepare purple and black portions separately (without ice) and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to shake each before serving as both the pearl dust and the activated charcoal will settle.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this cocktail.
Top Tips
Use food grade charcoal: Make sure the charcoal is edible and safe for food use.
Make it sparkle: Stir in pearl dust just before serving for maximum shimmer.
Serve with style: Use test tubes for a fun potion-style presentation.
Pre-chill everything: A cold glass keeps the layers crisp and vibrant.
Rum Halloween Cocktail FAQs
This ingredient is optional but it looks so pretty in the rum Halloween cocktail! Offering a shimmery, pearlescent look, edible pearl dust, also known as luster dust, comes in various colours and can be used to decorate drinks or brush over food. Added to this sour grape schnapps and strawberry rum, it turns an otherwise simple drink into a mystical looking potion! Make sure you’re using clear martini glasses, so the shimmer is clearly visible. Ingredients vary by brand but iron oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, and carmine feature in some. In small amounts, these ingredients are perfectly safe.
Not really. It adds visual drama but has a very mild or neutral flavor.
Yes, as long as it is labeled food safe or edible. Avoid craft glitter.
Black Magic Rum Halloween Cocktail Recipe
Black Magic Rum Halloween Cocktail
Equipment
- 2 Test Tubes
- Strainer
- Cocktail Spoon
- Cocktail Shaker Optional
Ingredients
- 9 Ounces white cranberry-strawberry juice, such as Ocean Spray White Cran-Strawberry
- 4 Ounces purple grape schnapps, such as DeKuyper Grape Pucker
- 4 Ounces strawberry rum, such as Malibu Strawberry Rum
- 1 activated charcoal capsule, 260mg
- ice, as needed
Optional Garnishes
- edible glitter, star-shaped
- pearl dust decorating powder,
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail mixing glass (or shaker) about halfway with ice. Add white cranberry-strawberry juice and grape schnapps. Stir or shake until chilled, 15 to 20 seconds.
- Strain into martini glass.
- Stir in a sprinkle of edible pearl dust, if desired. Use a little or a lot, depending on how much shimmer you want.
- In a small container with a pour spout, mix together strawberry-flavored rum and the contents of one activated charcoal capsule. Carefully divide the black rum between two test tubes. Insert test tube into filled martini glass and serve.
- To turn the cocktail black, just pour in the contents of the test tube. Add edible star glitter for an extra magical touch, if you’d like.
Notes
Make it sparkle: Stir in pearl dust just before serving for maximum shimmer.
Serve with style: Use test tubes for a fun potion-style presentation.
Pre-chill everything: A cold glass keeps the layers crisp and vibrant.
Nutrition
If you want a show-stopping party drink, this black magic rum Halloween cocktail is the way to go. From the shimmer of the purple base to the dramatic swirl of black rum, it’s a drink made to turn heads. Add your personal flair with edible glitter or extra shimmer, and get ready for guests to ask how you made it. With a balance of fruit flavor and Halloween flair, these black Halloween rum drinks are something you’ll want to bring back every year.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I love love LOVE the test tube serving idea and couldn’t wait to make these. The color was soooo pretty and I’d never had grape schnapps before but I think it’s my new favorite drink! You have to try this recipe, folks, it’s so easy to drink (oh, and to make!)
Pinning this for my Halloween party this year!