Frightening Fizz: A Glow-in-the-Dark Gin Potion

The Frightening Fizz: Spooky Glow-In-The-Dark Cocktail 18+

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. 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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Why this cocktail slaps on spooky nights

Meet the Frightening Fizz: a crisp, floral gin fizz that glows under black light thanks to the quinine in tonic water. It tastes refreshing (juniper + citrus + elderflower) and looks like a tiny science experiment in a glass. Perfect for Halloween, glow parties, or any time you want a drink that gets people talking.

The secret to the glow

Tonic water contains quinine, which fluoresces blue under UV/black light. It’s perfectly safe at normal tonic levels; the glow only shows under UV, not in the dark on its own. For best results, use a clear glass and keep the bar lights low with a UV strip nearby.

The Frightening Fizz (AU measures)

Glass: Highball or Collins
Ice: Cubes (pack the glass)

Ingredients (1 serve):

50 ml gin (London Dry or a citrus-forward gin)
25 ml fresh lemon juice
20 ml elderflower liqueur (e.g., St-Germain)
100–120 ml chilled tonic water (for the glow)
Ice cubes
Garnish: Lemon twist (or a rosemary “witchy claw” sprig)

Method:

Shake gin, lemon, elderflower hard with ice (10–15 sec).
Strain into an ice-filled highball.
Top with tonic (tilt the glass and pour gently to keep fizz).
Garnish and place near a black light for the glow.

RSA notes (Australia)

50 ml gin @ 40% ABV ≈ 1.6 standard drinks
20 ml elderflower liqueur @ ~20% ABV ≈ ~0.17 standard drinks
Total per serve ≈ ~1.8 standard drinks.

Lighter serve option: 30 ml gin + 15 ml elderflower (top with extra tonic) ≈ ~1.1–1.2 SD.
Always measure with a jigger and label batched serves with SD per glass.

Ingredient breakdown (quick and helpful)

Gin: London Dry gives structure; citrus/floral styles will lean more perfumed (great with elderflower).
Lemon juice: Fresh only—bottled throws the balance.
Elderflower liqueur: Adds soft sweetness + floral lift. If your tonic is sweet, you can drop to 15 ml.
Tonic water: Go premium with natural quinine for a cleaner taste and brighter fluoresce. Keep it cold for better bubbles.

Make it perfect (bar-smart tips)

Ice to the top: More ice = colder drink + slower dilution.
Carbonation care: Add tonic last and don’t shake the tonic.
Balance: Too tart? Nudge elderflower to 25 ml. Too sweet? Increase lemon by 5 ml or choose a drier tonic.
Aromatics: Express a lemon peel over the top or use a tiny rosemary sprig for a spooky, piney nose.

Garnishing that sells the story

Lemon twist (classic, clean).
Rosemary sprig (looks like a tiny branch reaching out of the glass).
Gummy worms over the rim (party-friendly).
Eyeball ice (lychee stuffed with blueberry, frozen—edible and eerie).
Black salt rim (half-rim so it doesn’t over-salt).

Using dry ice? Only food-grade pellets, handled with tongs/gloves. Use for fog effect in a secondary vessel or cage. Never let guests ingest pieces; wait until fully dissipated.

Variations (pick your poison)

Vampire Fizz: Swap gin for vodka; add 5–10 ml grenadine for a blood-red bleed through the glow.
Zombie Fizz: Use spiced rum instead of gin and swap elderflower for 30 ml pineapple (tropical, still fizzy).
Witch’s Brew: Use lemon-lime soda instead of tonic + 5 ml blue curaçao for neon colour (note: soda won’t glow like tonic).
Cucumber Fizz: Muddle 3 cucumber slices with the lemon for a fresher, greener profile.
NA Mocktail: 25 ml lemon + 20 ml elderflower cordial (not liqueur) + 120 ml tonic. Still glows, zero alcohol.

Batching for parties

Pre-batch concentrate (8 serves):

400 ml gin
200 ml elderflower liqueur
200 ml fresh lemon juice
Stir and refrigerate. To serve: 60–70 ml concentrate over ice in a highball, top 100–120 ml tonic, garnish, and set near UV.

Add tonic to order to keep the fizz and the glow crisp.

Food pairings (easy wins)

Salty crisps & olives (cuts through the floral sweetness).
Goat’s cheese crostini with lemon zest (echoes citrus).
Tempura or panko prawns with a squeeze of lemon (texture + brightness).
White chocolate bark with freeze-dried raspberries (party dessert, playful colour).

Troubleshooting

No glow? Check your bulb is UV/black light, not just “blue.” Aim it directly at the glass; dim ambient light.
Too sweet? Use a drier tonic or drop elderflower to 15 ml.
Falls flat? Glass/tonic weren’t cold enough or you stirred too aggressively after topping.

Wrap-up

The Frightening Fizz is simple to build, gorgeous under UV, and genuinely delicious—zesty lemon, botanical gin, and a floral kiss from elderflower, lifted by sparkling tonic. Keep it RSA-smart, play with the garnish game, and let the black light do the talking.

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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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you