Author: Louisa Demmitt

There’s much to be said about spirits when fall comes around. The ghostly kind are on everyone’s mind as Halloween approaches, and a good (spirit filled) libation with friends is always a good idea as days get shorter and nights get colder. One of the most appropriate liquors for this time of year is black vodka, which sounds and looks deliciously mysterious and kind of spooky.

The cocktails made from CopperMuse’s Vicieux black vodka are memorable and unique. I didn’t know about black vodka before I started spending time at CopperMuse, but I’ve become a true fan. Being a black vodka newbie, I started off asking the superb bartenders which drinks they would recommend. I began my education with the delicious Black Betty, which includes tart cherry juice, lemon juice, basil, and simple syrup along with black vodka. (I challenge you not to say “bam-ba-lam” in your head after ordering one!)

Black Betty 1.jpeg — Black Betty

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-Lam)

I then tried the Tchaikovsky, whose combination of coffee and ginger flavors meld beautifully with black vodka. The Caraway With Me features caraway-dill infused black vodka with lime and cranberry, and fantastically manages to taste like sweet toasted pumpernickel bread with a fruity twist.

I finally settled on the White Island as my go-to CopperMuse drink; its coconut, coffee, and cream elements are topped with black vodka for a dramatic effect and comforting flavor. (The vodka floating on top gives the White Island its name.) All of these drinks, as well as the other black vodka creations on the menu, have balanced flavor profiles as well as strong visual impact. These are drinks to be savored with both your eyes and your taste buds.

White Island.jpg — White Island

Our unique take on a White Russian

Unlike many flavored vodkas which can come across way too strong, black vodka makes a statement without drowning other flavors. It’s incredibly versatile, pairing well with a myriad of ingredients and flavors. It makes fruit filled red drinks have deeper and more vibrant color; floating it on creamy drinks creates a unique visual; and as Kristie (bartender extraordinaire) likes to say, “it makes a dirty martini look dirty.”

There really is nothing like a well made drink in good company as summer has given way to autumn and we settle in for winter. Stop by CopperMuse to try one of these cocktails for yourself, or to buy a bottle or two for mixing drinks at home. There’s always something creative and seasonal to try, and if you’ve never had black vodka before, you’re in for a definite treat.