Black Superman Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

More powerful than a locomotive, the Black Superman cocktail is as strong as its name suggests.

The alien ships had arrived on a random, ho-hum day. It was beautiful out, the kids were done with school, and my barbeque grill was finally going to grill the finest steaks that Omaha could provide. And then the rumbling began. Low at first, but soon the ground beneath the neighborhood’s feet was shaking, sending vibrations up into everyone’s teeth. Shadows fell over us. All eyes were raised toward the heavens, staring in hypnotized, horrifying awe. Human brains could not comprehend the sight. My hot dogs began to burn.

They defied gravity, staying absolutely still, hovering in the air the way my grandfather’s armchair never could. The sight of these extraterrestrial vessels challenged my suburban intellect. When I woke up this morning, my thoughts were preoccupied with what t-shirt I was going to wear and if I had enough of the spicy mustard, or if yellow would suffice, then I decided that yes, yellow mustard was always good. Mustard. My mind was struggling to get square with mustard. And now aliens showed up.

Another silhouette appeared. Was it a bird? A plane?? My heart began to race as I started to make out the almost familiar figure of a fluttering cape attached to a flying… highball glass?

And there it was, a giant purple-looking cocktail filled with ice and topped with a lemon and cherry garnish, a cape waving in the breeze behind it. It had muscular arms and legs, decked out in superhero tights and boots. As it rocketed toward the invading spacecraft, I saw something written on the cape:

BLACK SUPERMAN – Look up my recipe on Twist & Toast for a heroic tipple. Then watch me kick some interdimensional buttocks.

Of course, I sprinted inside to my home bar, looking up the drink and then coming across this story…

I halted in my tracks. Will the author of this tale allow me a drink, tonight’s drink? Or will I forever be stuck in this imaginary hallway, listening to an epic blockbuster battle happening outside while I missed it all?

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Black Superman Cocktail?

Thankfully, the author took mercy on my thirsty, dry throat. I ran into my rumpus room—which was nice of the storyteller to give me, by the way—and began to gather every spirit I would need to make a Black Superman. A crisp, organic rye vodka and a balanced London Dry gin were required, so I grabbed my Chopin and Tanqueray. I also needed orange liqueur and blue curaçao, so I searched my shelf for the Grand Marnier and DeKuyper, respectively. And with some Bacardi Silver for the rum and Chambord for the raspberry drizzle, I soon had a tall, ice-cold midnight-looking powerful punchy potion, that was tart, tangy and finished with a lot of bite. It tasted so good that I spent the entirety of the enormous battle outside drinking in my kitchen. Missed the whole spectacle. And I’m the narrator. This either speaks to the weakness of the oddball writer, or the unforgettably strong flavor that the Black Superman has.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Make sure you have a tall highball glass filled with ice and garnished with a maraschino cherry and a juicy, plump lemon wedge to enjoy this muscular tipple.

WHY IS THIS DRINK CALLED A BLACK SUPERMAN?

Probably due to the dark, purple hue that this cocktail has when mixed, and not a reference to Kryptonian Kal-El, aka Calvin Ellis of Earth-23 in DC Comics.

Similar Drinks To The Black Superman Cocktail

A tall glass, filled with ice, awaiting a long pour of a colorful libation… Sounds like a pretty decent way to start the weekend, right? You want a robust sip, filled with flavor and maybe a little fizz. Look no further. The cocktails below will satisfy those cravings, dressed up in all the colors of the rainbow. Almost.

• Blue Long Island – A little ginger ale tops this turquoise-colored beverage.
• LA Water – Some West Coast vibes accompany this green concoction.
• Long Beach Iced Tea – A full-bodied red cocktail, courtesy of cranberry juice.
• Alabama Slammer – This orange-looking sipper has a lot of fruity, boozy charm.