The Black Widow Smash. The “spookiest” of Halloween cocktails, but also one of the simplest. Fresh blackberries muddled with rosemary, lemon, a couple dashes of orange bitters, tequila, and topped off with sparkling water, for a little bit of fizz. It’s both eerie and warming, perfect for the cool nights ahead.

front on photo of The Black Widow Smash with bird and candles in background

Back with another cocktail Saturday post. One that I’ve been waiting to share with you all since this time last year. Yes, I first made this “spooky” cocktail last year. But I never got around to sharing it in time for Halloween. So I put the recipe in my back pocket and saved it for a year.

It’s been a favorite ever since the day I made it. So I was happy to have an excuse to remake it come October. This drink is perfect because it’s so easy to mix up, I already have everything on hand. I just returned home from LA last night and have a busy weekend of catching up before heading out again on Monday. This time to NYC. However, I’ve set it as my goal to take tonight off, and enjoy some down time. This fun cocktail will be the perfect 5 minute drink to sip on…hopefully while watching Hocus Pocus, because I’m dying to watch that movie sometime this October.

mezcal bottle

I made this smash using my favorite ingredients…tequila, blackberries, and some sparkles.

Here’s how you make it. Smash up some fresh blackberries, along with a pinch of rosemary, some lemon, tequila (or mezcal, which is a nice smoky option), and a dash of orange bitters. Add sparkling water (ginger beer would be delicious here too) and done.

Could not be easier, and trust me, it’s so GOOD!

You can use either tequila or Mezcal, but I love using Mezcal for autumn drinks. Its natural smokiness always reminds me of a crisp October night. It makes for the perfect warming drink for all the chilly fall evenings ahead.

To give this drink the ultimate spook factor, try torching a sprig of rosemary just before serving. This adds a nice eerie, smoky final touch, which you all know I love. This drink will quickly become your Halloween go-to cocktail. It can even double as an elegant Thanksgiving drink, or simply be sipped on a chilly night at home. Whichever way you choose, this is one of those drinks that will be on repeat weekend after weekend.

ENJOY! See you all tomorrow for another installment in our Anthropologie collaboration. I’ll be talking all things Friendsgiving!

The Black Widow Smash gif

If you make this fun cocktail please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

The Black Widow Smash | halfbakedharvest.com #halloween #cocktails #fall #autumn
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Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

The Black Widow Smash

The "spookiest" of Halloween cocktails, but also one of the simplest. Fresh blackberries muddled with rosemary, lemon, a couple dashes of orange bitters, tequila, and topped off with sparkling water, for a little bit of fizz. Perfect for the cool nights ahead.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 makes drink
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 fresh blackberries, plus more for topping
  • 1-2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, plus a sprig for serving
  • Juice from half of a lemon
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 - 2 ounces tequila or Mezcal
  • a couple dashes of orange bitters
  • sparkling water, for topping

Instructions

  1. 1. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add blackberries, rosemary, lemon juice and honey. Muddle all of the ingredients together, squishing everything to release the juices. Add the tequila and orange bitters. 

    2. Add ice to your glass and strain the drink over the ice. Top the glass with a little more ice, pour the sparkling water over, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with fresh rosemary. DRINK!

The Black Widow Smash horizontal photo