If the Bloody Martini just isn’t hitting the spot for you this Halloween, let me introduce you to the Blood Beetroot Cocktail. This deep, rich cocktail not only packs a punch with its earthy beetroot flavor but also adds a dramatic flair with its vibrant, blood-red color.
Contents
Blood beetroot cocktail recipe
The Blood Beetroot cocktail is perfect for spooky season gatherings. The sweetness of beetroot pairs surprisingly well with the tang of citrus and the bite of vodka or gin, creating a balance that’s as hauntingly delicious as it is eye-catching. It’s a unique twist on your typical Halloween drinks.

Vodka is an ideal foundation for this cocktail. Its neutral profile allows the earthy sweetness of beetroot to take center stage. Here’s how to make the Blood Beetroot cocktail:

Blood Beetroot cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka or gin, if preferred
- 1 oz beetroot juice fresh or store-bought
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup adjust to taste
- Ice cubes
- Beet slices or rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour in the vodka (or gin), beetroot juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well for about 15-20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into chilled martini glasses.
- Add a slice of beet or a sprig of rosemary for a spooky, earthy touch.
Nutrition
Besides vodka, you can use other spirit options like:
- Gin brings a complex botanical dimension to blood beetroot cocktails. The juniper and herbal notes can enhance the vegetal qualities of beetroot while adding depth.
- Tequila offers a natural affinity with beetroot’s terroir-driven flavors. The agave spirit’s inherent earthiness can amplify the beetroot’s robustness while contributing a subtle sweetness.
- Rum adds tropical sweetness, complements beetroot’s earthiness
- Whiskey introduces oaky depth and creates a more complex flavor profile
- Mezcal enhances smokiness, intensifies the earthy notes
- Pisco brings grape-based fruitiness, lightens the overall character
- Aquavit adds caraway and dill notes, creating a Scandinavian twist
Variations
1. Spicy Beetroot Margarita marries the earthy sweetness of beets with the vibrant kick of tequila and chili. My recipe for this fiery concoction:
- Rim a rocks glass with chili salt
- In a shaker, combine:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh beetroot juice
- 0.75 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz agave syrup
- A slice of jalapeño adjust to taste
- Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice
- Garnish with a lime wheel and a slice of jalapeño
This cocktail delivers a perfect balance of heat, sweet, and tang.
2. Beetroot Garden Fizz brings a refreshing effervescence to the earthy beetroot profile. This fizz offers a light, herbaceous take on blood beetroot cocktails.
- In a shaker, muddle:
- 3 cucumber slices
- 5 mint leaves
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Add:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz beetroot juice
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass filled with ice
- Top with soda water
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig
3. Mocktail version: For those abstaining from alcohol, blood beetroot mocktails provide a sophisticated and flavorful alternative. Here’s a list of non-alcoholic options that I’ve developed:
- Beetroot Ginger Zinger: Beetroot juice, ginger beer, lime juice, and a dash of cayenne
- Beet-Apple Refresher: Beetroot juice, apple cider, cinnamon syrup, and sparkling water
- Crimson Garden Spritz: Beetroot juice, cucumber water, rose water, and tonic
- Beet-Pomegranate Punch: Beetroot juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine
These mocktails ensure that all guests can enjoy the vibrant allure of blood beetroot drinks.
How to pair
1. Appetizers
When selecting appetizers to accompany blood beetroot cocktails, consider dishes that echo the drink’s earthy notes.
- Goat cheese crostini with honey and thyme
- Walnut-crusted baked brie
- Arugula salad or beet and feta salad
- Smoked salmon blinis with dill crème fraîche
- Roasted beet and feta tartlets
- Wild mushroom and truffle arancini
These appetizers create a harmonious interplay between food and drink.
2. Main courses
For main courses, blood beetroot cocktails can stand up to robust flavors and textures:
- Herb-crusted rack of lamb with roasted root vegetables
- Seared duck breast with cherry reduction
- Grilled portobello steaks with balsamic glaze
- Pan-seared scallops with beetroot puree
- Quinoa and roasted vegetable salad with tahini dressing
3. Desserts
- Chocolate treats: chocolate truffles or chocolate cakes
- Fruit-based desserts: berry tart or citrus sorbet