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Turn heads at your next spooky bash with these halloween glow in the dark shots. They’re crazy fun to make and sure to be the center of attention. This layered drink has schnapps, coconut rum and a surprising ingredient that reacts under blacklight for a glowing effect. Perfect for Halloween parties or haunted house gatherings, these shots are easy to assemble and look impressive with their vibrant glow and colorful layers. Get your party guests talking with this quirky drink idea.
Everyone is going to love this fluorescent neon cocktail. It’s a great-tasting glow in the dark drink to wow your guests. It’s like an extra-special Kryptonite shot!
More Halloween treats to try include witch hat cookies, panna cotta eyeballs, this black Halloween drink and colorful Halloween pancakes.
Why You’ll Love It
Great party drink: These shots are perfect for Halloween parties or spooky gatherings.
Simple ingredients: You only need a few things to pull this off.
Impressive presentation: They glow brightly under blacklight.
Customizable: You can tweak the layers or flavors for different colors and tastes.
Halloween Glow in the Dark Shots Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Schnapps: A splash of DeKuyper Strawberry Pucker gives the base a bold fruity kick.
Coconut rum: Malibu or any brand adds sweetness and tropical flavor while layering the colors.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): This is the glow factor, turning the shots into a blacklight sensation.
How to Make Shots that Glow in the Dark
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Color the schnapps base: Pour schnapps into a graduated cylinder. Leave droplets in the measuring cup.
Create the orange layer: Add half the coconut rum to the measuring cup with schnapps remnants. Sprinkle in a small amount of riboflavin powder and mix.
Layer the orange mixture: Slowly pour this mix down the side of the graduated cylinder to form the first layer.
Create the yellow layer: Add remaining rum to the measuring cup. Sprinkle a little riboflavin and mix.
Add the final layer: Slowly pour the yellow mix into the cylinder over the orange mix.
Substitutions and Variations
Different schnapps flavors: Try apple or peach schnapps for a color or flavor twist.
Rum alternatives: Use white rum or flavored vodka if preferred.
Gluten free option: Ensure the schnapps and rum used are gluten free labeled.
Non-alcoholic version: Use flavored syrups in place of alcohol and still add riboflavin for glow.
Serving Suggestions
With savory Halloween snacks: Enjoy mini charcuterie boards, spider pizza and mummy breakfast rolls.
With sweet treats: Pair them with candy apples, candy corn peanut butter cookies, and boozy dirt cups.
How to Store Glow in the Dark Shots
Store: You can prepare these shots in advance. Just layer them, cover them, and pop them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This helps keep the flavors intact. As for the glow, it sticks around as long as the riboflavin is blended in and a blacklight is nearby. While the effect doesn’t wear off, they’ll look their best when served fresh, with those bright, defined layers still holding strong.
Freeze: Freezing these shots isn’t a great idea. The alcohol content and riboflavin don’t freeze well, and the texture and layered look could get ruined. For the best flavor, glow, and presentation, stick to making them fresh or refrigerating them short term.
Top Tips
Use a blacklight: These shots only glow under blacklight, so make sure you have one ready.
Go light on riboflavin: Too much can affect flavor or create an unappetizing texture.
Pour slowly: Tilt the cylinder and pour gently for clean layered results.
Try different vessels: Test syringes, beakers or tall shot glasses for presentation.
Glow in the Dark Rum Shot FAQs
I found mine in the Halloween goods at Michael’s and they’re also sold abundantly online. The graduated cylinders found at Michael’s are great for drinkware but don’t depend on their measurements. If you can’t find graduated cylinders near you, and would prefer not to shop online, a 3-ounce double shot glass will work, in a pinch. However, the colour gradation will be less noticeable.
Yes! Just one of the Riboflavin capsules will make several of these shots. Because what’s not used by the body is expelled through the urinary tract, Riboflavin is considered safe. Riboflavor is made from Vitamin B2. You need capsules for this black light reactive shooter, not tablets. The body uses riboflavin for various bodily processes like cell growth and brain function. It’s naturally found in eggs, milk, meat, green veggies, and enriched flour.
The small amount of Riboflavin we add to this shot does not affect its flavor. In large amounts, however, it can taste bitter.
This shot will not glow in the dark without a black light. Riboflavin fluoresces, which means that it needs the energy from a UV light/black light in order to get its molecules moving.
Glow in the Dark Coconut Rum Shot Recipe
Halloween Glow in the Dark Shots
Equipment
- Graduated Cylinder
- Vials or Test Tubes with a Stand
Ingredients
- ½ Ounce DeKuyper Strawberry Pucker, or similar schnapps
- 2 Ounces coconut rum, I used Malibu
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B12), you need capsules not tablets
Instructions
- Add half the coconut rum to the measuring cup. When it combines with the remaining strawberry pucker, it will produce a pink-tinted rum.
- Gently open a single Riboflavin capsule. With a light hand, sprinkle a small amount of the yellow powder on top of the tinted rum. A little bit of the powder goes a long way. Mix the powder into the rum. The powder will turn the rum from pink to orange.
- Tip the graduated cylinder slightly at an angle and SLOWLY pour the orange-tinged rum down along its inside wall.
- Add remaining coconut rum to your measuring cup. Again, sprinkle a very small amount of the Riboflavin onto the surface of the rum. Mix in the powder. The Riboflavin will turn the rum yellow.
- Repeating the process in step 3, add the yellow-tinted rum until all of the rum has been transferred to the graduated cylinder.
- Serve in vials or in test tubes with a rack.
Notes
Go light on riboflavin: Too much can affect flavor or create an unappetizing texture.
Pour slowly: Tilt the cylinder and pour gently for clean layered results.
Try different vessels: Test syringes, beakers or tall shot glasses for presentation.
Nutrition
Halloween parties call for something unexpected, and these halloween glow in the dark shots deliver exactly that. The glow under UV light is impressive, and the fruity flavor is just as fun. Whether you’re hosting a costume bash or heading to a themed gathering, this is one drink that will light up the night. Don’t be surprised if people ask for your secret ingredient after the first round.
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.
Although the words delicious and biohazard don’t tend to feature in the same sentence, this cocktail is soooo good. I love the strawberry and coconut flavors – they remind me of the summer. But it’s perfect for Halloween – 10 out of 10 for this one.
How fun! Saving this for Halloween