Barsys
Witch’s Blood Sour
About
The Witch’s Blood Sour is a Halloween-ready riff on the whiskey sour, designed to look as striking as it tastes. Bourbon delivers its signature warmth, grenadine adds both sweetness and a deep red glow, and Cointreau brightens it with subtle orange notes. Fresh lemon juice keeps the drink crisp and sharp, balancing all that richness.
Served up in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this cocktail is equal parts eerie and elegant. Think classic sour vibes with a spooky twist that makes it perfect for costume parties, haunted gatherings, or anytime you want your cocktail to look as dramatic as the occasion.
Shaken or Stirred? Stirred. You want everything to blend smoothly without breaking the cream. Shaking might make it frothy or overly airy-stirring gives you that velvety finish this cocktail deserves.
What You'll Need
For one Witch’s Blood Sour:
- 1.75 oz Bourbon
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Cointreau
- 0.5 oz Grenadine
Optional garnish: Maraschino cherry or a blood orange wheel.
Pro tip: Use fresh lemon juice for brightness and natural grenadine for deeper color and flavor.
How to Make It
Prep time: 5 minutes
Skill level: Beginner-friendly
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, Cointreau, and grenadine.
- Shake hard for 10-12 seconds until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass with no ice.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry or blood orange wheel.
Using Barsys?
Barsys Coaster 2.0 takes the guesswork out of pours. Load bourbon and Cointreau, let Barsys handle the precision, then add citrus and grenadine. Shake, strain, and serve a Halloween cocktail that looks as good as it tastes.
For the full recipe, download the Barsys App.
The Barsys Edge
Balance is key - too much grenadine and the drink becomes cloying, too much lemon and it turns sour. Barsys ensures perfect pours so every Witch’s Blood Sour is spooky and smooth in equal measure.
Sip Setting
Perfect for Halloween parties, moody autumn nights, or themed gatherings where a bold red cocktail steals the spotlight.
Garnish Game
Keep it classic with a maraschino cherry, or lean into the spooky vibes with a blood orange wheel that adds drama and citrus aroma.
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FAQs
What is a Witch’s Blood Sour made of?
Bourbon, grenadine, lemon juice, and Cointreau.
Is it sweet or sour?
It’s balanced - tart lemon meets sweet grenadine for a smooth finish.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, batch the base and shake individual servings with ice before pouring.
Can I swap grenadine for pomegranate juice?
Yes, it gives a slightly less sweet, more tart flavor while keeping the red hue.
Can Barsys make it?
Absolutely. Barsys ensures precise bourbon and Cointreau pours, leaving you to shake and garnish like a pro.