Black Vodka Recipe

Course: Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

Cooling Time: 1

Total Time: 1 40

Servings: ounces

Calories: 131kcal

Author: Emily

Make homemade black vodka for all of your spooky and unique cocktail needs!

Pour the vodka into a sealable bottle or jar. Add 10 drops of red food coloring, 10 drops of blue food coloring, and 8 drops of green food coloring to the bottle.
Secure the lid on the bottle and shake to combine the colors. Store sealed in a cool dark place until you are ready to use.

This color is more of a super dark greenish purple than true black, but it works perfectly for Halloween and mixed drinks
You can make this ahead of time. Store the vodka in a sealable container in a cool, dark place until ready to use
You can color any clear spirit black, not just vodka. Gin, tequila, or even flavored alcohol will all work the same way
I used Tito's Vodka for this recipe, but any clear vodka you like will work
The food coloring doesn't significantly change the flavor of the vodka, though it may add a very slight taste that's usually masked once mixed into a cocktail
Black vodka has a shelf life similar to regular vodka, essentially indefinite if kept sealed and stored in a cool, dark place
If you'd rather use black food coloring directly, use a gel food coloring and add it a little at a time, too much can cause it to separate
Activated charcoal is another popular way to darken vodka, but it tends to settle at the bottom over time, giving a grayer, less consistent result, and it can carry health considerations for people on certain medications
Squid ink and black catechu are two other methods used to darken spirits, but food coloring remains the easiest and most neutral-tasting option for a homemade version
Once mixed into other ingredients, be careful, adding colored syrups or liquors can shift the final color of your cocktail away from black.

Serving: 2ounces | Calories: 131kcal | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg