A Hauntingly Delicious Cocktail : The Bloody Vampire Martini

Welcome to Shake, Sip, Serve, your one-stop shop for all things bartending.

I’m your host, KAD, and I’ve been slinging drinks and navigating the world of hospitality for over two decades.
The past 15 years, I’ve perfected my bartending skills, experimented with countless flavor combinations, and learning a thing or two about how to keep the party going behind the bar.

Whether you’re a seasoned bartender like me just looking for some fresh inspiration or a complete beginner who is eager to whip up impressive cocktails at home, Shake, Sip, Serve is here to be your guide.

In the below blog, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience on everything from classic cocktails and innovative new creations to essential bartending techniques and industry secrets. I’ll also be offering tips on stocking your home bar, mastering the art of presentation, and creating a memorable experience for your guests.

So, grab your shaker, dust off your favorite glassware, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey into the world of bartending!
Let’s Shake, Sip, and Serve up something amazing together.

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The Bloody Vampire Martini (Aussie Measurements)

Bold, blood-red, and beautifully balanced, the Bloody Vampire Martini is a showstopper for Halloween, vampire-themed nights, or any time you want theatrics without sacrificing flavour. Think bright raspberry, crisp cranberry, and fresh lime over a silky vodka backbone—finished with a dramatic “dripping blood” effect.

Why it works

Vodka is a neutral canvas that lets berry and citrus shine.
Raspberry liqueur brings colour and ripe fruit intensity.
Cranberry + lime add tart structure so the drink isn’t cloying.
Garnish delivers aroma, theatre, and texture without fuss.

Recipe Card

Glass: Chilled martini or coupe
Method: Shake
Standard drinks (approx.): 1.4–1.6 per serve (RSA: enjoy responsibly)

Ingredients (per serve)

50 ml quality vodka
25 ml raspberry liqueur (e.g., Chambord/Framboise)
15 ml cranberry juice (preferably 100% or low-sugar)
10 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
Ice
3–4 fresh raspberries, to garnish
1–2 tsp raspberry syrup, optional (for “blood” drips)

Method

Chill: Pop your martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Shake: Add vodka, raspberry liqueur, cranberry, lime, and ice to a shaker. Shake hard 15–20 seconds.
Dress the glass (optional): Drizzle raspberry syrup inside the chilled glass so it slowly “bleeds.”
Strain: Double strain into the glass for a glossy, seed-free finish.
Garnish: Skewer raspberries or float them. Serve immediately.

Pro tip: If your cranberry juice is sweetened, reduce or skip the syrup to keep the martini sharp and grown-up.

Make-Ahead Raspberry Syrup (for perfect drips)

125 g raspberries (fresh or frozen)
100 g caster sugar
120 ml water

Simmer 8–10 minutes, mash, then fine-strain. Chill. Keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.

Presentation Tricks (spooky but chic)

Black sugar rim: Mix 2 tsp caster sugar with a scant pinch of black gel food colour. Rim with lime, dip, set.
“Sealed bite” rim: Brush a few short streaks of syrup on the outside lip so they set like fangs.
Frozen berry “ice”: Freeze raspberries and use them as garnish that chills without dilution.
Smoke moment: Express a thin orange peel over the glass and discard—adds a whisper of “ancient crypt” citrus without turning it into a Cosmo.

Dial it In (Bartender notes)

Want drier? Use unsweetened cranberry, bump lime to 12.5 ml.
Want softer/fruitier? Add 10 ml simple syrup or use a berry-forward liqueur.
Want boozier? Increase vodka to 60 ml and raspberry liqueur to 30 ml, keep citrus the same.

Variations

1) Black Widow Martini

Swap raspberry liqueur for blackberry liqueur, garnish with blackberries, rim with black sugar. Moodier, darker fruit.

2) Bloody Sangria-tini

Add 10–15 ml dry red wine before shaking (Tempranillo or Shiraz). Garnish with a thin blood-orange wheel. Richer, vinous depth.

3) Vampire’s Kiss (dessert riff)

Lightly drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of the glass before the “blood” syrup. Raspberry-choc works a treat.

4) Sparkling Vamp

Shake as usual, strain into a coupe, then top with 30 ml dry sparkling (Aussie fizz is perfect). Festive and lighter on the palate.

Zero-Proof “Bloody Virgin” (Mocktail)

Ingredients

60 ml raspberry purée (blend fresh/frozen raspberries, fine-strain)
45 ml unsweetened cranberry juice
15 ml fresh lime juice
10–15 ml simple syrup (to taste)
Soda water to top (optional)
Raspberry syrup & raspberries to garnish

Method Shake purée, cranberry, lime, and syrup with ice; strain into a chilled coupe. Optional splash of soda for lift. Garnish with “blood” syrup and berries.

Food Pairings

Salty & savoury: Prosciutto crisps, marinated olives, manchego, blue cheese.
Spicy bites: Harissa prawns, jalapeño poppers—sweet berry smooths the spice.
Chocolate & berry desserts: Flourless chocolate cake, dark choc truffles, berry pavlova shards.

Batch for a Party (8 serves)

400 ml vodka
200 ml raspberry liqueur
120 ml cranberry juice
80–100 ml fresh lime juice (taste for brightness)

Chill in a jug 2–4 hours. To serve, stir with ice in a mixing glass and strain per drink. Add “blood” syrup and garnish to order.

Troubleshooting

Too sweet: Add 5 ml more lime per serve or switch to 100% cranberry.
Too tart: Add 5–10 ml simple syrup or use a sweeter liqueur.
Too pale: Your liqueur might be lighter—add 5–10 ml raspberry syrup or use a darker berry liqueur.

When to Serve

Halloween & vampire nights (obviously).
Horror movie marathons (pair with Dracula or What We Do in the Shadows).
Date night—dim lights, dark chocolate, dramatic glassware.

Thanks for joining us behind the bar!
The bartending community is a vibrant and supportive one, and I’m excited to build that community here on Shake, Sip, Serve. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below. What are you shaking up these days? What topics would you like to see covered in future posts? Let’s connect and continue the conversation!

Liquor & Gaming NSW: This website provides information on liquor licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, and regulations for serving alcohol in NSW. It’s essential for anyone working in the hospitality industry in NSW. You can find it here: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/

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