Red Death Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Despite the scary name, the Red Death cocktail is a tall, strong and sweet drink that you don’t have to fear.

The stone steps wound down, down, down into the subterranean deep that waited for me. Everything about this felt off… A cryptic note with a mysterious invitation… A silent car ride, chauffeured by a driver that looked like Rondo Hatton… My insatiable curiosity… all of these led me to this dark and gothic estate in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of nothing. No lights, no one to greet me. And yet, I knew where to go.

Finding a side stairwell, I felt down was where my destination was. The strange note I had been given, written in gold script, had dared me to brave these shadowy halls to receive the Red Death. The Red Death, I thought to myself. It doesn’t sound inviting, or safe. And yet, here I am.

And then I entered into a cavernous room, decorated in chandeliers, ornate candelabras and stained glass windows that looked out to nothing, as no light, not even moonlight, shone through. The strange and monstrous images that adorned them were hard to see… I began to worry that this Red Death I was invited to encounter might just be that… a messy end.

And then I began to notice the patrons of this candlelit and atmospheric gathering, for that’s where I was, a party of some sort. Well-dressed in top hats, corsets and Victorian-era garb, the other folk I had joined were jovial, if not a tad spooky. For the late hour, they all seemed very lively and energetic. And then I saw the bar, and behind it a gaunt, tall figure that beckoned me to come closer. Next to them, an imposing, alien-looking glass. In it, a bright red elixir over ice. The cold made the odd receptacle sweat, which in turn made my thirst erupt out of nowhere. I calmly walked over, nodding to the barkeep. I took a sip.

A powerful array of sweet, sour and citrusy flavors, swimming in balanced unison with a potent mix of tequila, gin, vodka, rum, triple sec and amaretto. The Red Death was of a crimson variety, to be sure, and could possibly be daunting to some. But a life-ending threat?

Well. If one were to drink irresponsibly, maybe. But I enjoy my imbibing, so I play it safe. Even amongst those that could very well be nosferatu.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Red Death Cocktail?

There’s a lot of alcohol that’s mixed into this recipe, so when choosing what you’ll need, go for the more well-known brands. Silver tequila and white rum are the best varieties of those two particular spirits, as the clear color will blend with the other liquors used, and will also offer a neutral color base. The amaretto, orange juice and grenadine will then be able to give this concoction its lush, red look.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

You can use either a highball or a hurricane glass for the Red Death cocktail. Fill it to the top with ice, and once your drink is ready, garnish with an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry.

Similar Cocktails To The Red Death

There’s a good amount of potent and full-bodied drinks that are close to the Red Death. A veritable cornucopia of spirits, dashed with a little citrus or soda here and there, is part of what makes these versatile potions popular. If you’d like to try a few of them out, follow these simple and easy-to-make recipes right here at Twist & Toast.

• Long Beach Iced Tea – The tart taste of cranberry adds a little color to this West Coast inspired drink.
• Grateful Dead – Better red and Dead with this powerful and punchy beverage.
• Blue Motorcycle – This revved-up cocktail has a little bit of everything.
• LA Water – Green, murky and delicious.