Hocus Pocus Drink - The Black Flame Candle

This Hocus Pocus-inspired drink, The Black Flame candle, is the perfect Halloween cocktail to celebrate the spooky season! It's made with blackberries, spices, Mezcal, and sparking water for a smokey, sweet, and spicey crowd-pleasing cocktail that the Sanderson Sisters would love!

Mezcal is tequila's smokey cousin and is the perfect spirit for a cocktail that tastes like a bewitched candle! Blackberries and activated charcoal are what give this drink its spooky black color!

Why this recipe works:

I love Halloween and Halloween-themed cocktails; just check out my Practical Magic Midnight Margaritas! This one is based on the Black Flame Candle in the Disney classic Hocus Pocus, which is the candle that brings the sister witches back from the dead. This cocktail was made to be a delicious iteration of that, and because it is black and bubbly, it perfect for any Halloween party!

Jump to:

• Why this recipe works:
• Key Ingredients:
• How to make this recipe:
• Substitutions:
• Equipment:
• Activated Charcoal Note
• Looking for more Cocktails?! Check these out!
• Hocus Pocus Drink - The Black Flame Candle

Key Ingredients:

Mezcal: Mezcal is a spirit similar to tequila. It is also made from agave, but it is cooked in pits in the ground, which gives it its signature smokey flavor. For this recipe, I used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal which is known for its smokey flavor and for being pretty decently priced. 

Activated Charcoal: this is what turns the cocktail really black. It is a tasteless supplement that some use as a detoxifier. Just a little is added to this cocktail to turn it black, but if you can't find any, this can easily be skipped. You can buy it in powder or capsule form, and I used this version from Spiceology. 

Blackberries: ripe blackberries are muddled so that they infuse with the Mezcal. You can use frozen blackberries; just thaw them so they are easily smashed.

Agave Nectar: this cocktail has just a bit of sweetener to perfectly balance and complement the blackberries and Mezcal. You can use agave, simple syrup, or even honey, whatever you have on hand. 

Spices: Allspice and cinnamon are added to the blackberries to give the drink a little warm spice.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make this recipe:

Substitutions:

This recipe is completely delicious, but there are a few things that could be switched out based on taste and availability.

• Mezcal can easily be switched out for tequila.
• Activated charcoal can also be omitted; the color will just be lighter and more purple from the blackberries. 
• Agave can be switched out for simple syrup or honey, whatever you prefer or have on hand.

Equipment:

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger
• Muddler (the end of a wooden spoon can be used in a pinch)
• Spooky cocktail glasses (the ones pictured are from Pottery Barn)

Activated Charcoal Note

Activated charcoal is made from activated carbon or coconut ash and is safe to consume in small quantities. It is often used as a detoxifier and remedy for ingesting poison and for hangovers. However, since it absorbs everything, it can neutralize the effects of some medication and birth control if ingested close to taking said medication. For more information, click here: Should you be eating activated charcoal?

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