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Cocktail History
The Vampiro is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created by fruit stand vendor Oscar Hernández in San Luis Soyatlán, Mexico. Similar to a Bloody Mary, the drink is also made with tomato juice, but it calls for aged tequila in place of the vodka and mixes it with citrus, pomegranate syrup, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with blue agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged from two to twelve months. We used Arette Tequila Reposado because it has a light and peppery flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Ritual Zero-Proof Tequila Alternative in place of the tequila.
Tomato Juice: This is the liquid juice of a tomato. We used Clamato Tomato Juice.
Orange Juice: This is the liquid juice of an orange. We used freshly squeezed orange juice.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Hot Sauce: This is a condiment made from peppers, spices, and vinegar. We used El Yucateco Chile Habanero Hot Sauce because it lends heat and pepper flavor to the drink without too much burn.
Salt: This is a mineral. We used Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.
Black Pepper: This is a seasoning. We used Simply Organic Ground Black Pepper.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Vampiro begins with citrus and slight pepper aromas before leading into the savory, spicy taste of the tomato, which is then backed by sweetness and citrus to balance it out followed by the noticeable flavors of tequila and orange in the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both thought this cocktail was incredibly unique considering the only other tomato-based recipe we’ve tried is a Bloody Mary. It’s certainly similar to one of those, but it’s also different enough to cause its own cravings. If you want something in the realm of a Bloody Mary but with a bit more complexity, the Vampiro is worth trying.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I consider this drink is a unique combination of a Bloody Mary and a Margarita because it uses tomato juice (or in our case Bloody Mary mix) and other seasonings along with tequila and citrus. The result is a drink that is savory and spicy on the lips and tongue but has a definite sour note to balance it back out. And it has the taste of tequila throughout. As far as tomato-based cocktails go, it’s the most fascinating one I’ve ever had; I’m not sure I’d turn to it over a standard Bloody Mary, but it is definitely a great way to mix it up and experience some regional flair.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I have to admit, I think I liked this tomato-based drink more than a traditional Bloody Mary. Usually when I drink those, I feel as if I’m just sipping soup, but the citrus was a welcome addition. This is much more complex than a Bloody Mary, and it has a hint of heat which I really liked. I’d make the Vampiro again if I was in the mood for a Bloody Mary but wanted something slightly different.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail: 80 Cheerful Tipples to Warm Up Winter by Emma Stokes.
Add tequila, tomato juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cracked ice.
Garnish with lime slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Add tequila, tomato juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cracked ice.
Garnish with lime slice.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Ritual Zero-Proof Tequila Alternative in place of the tequila to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Halloween Cocktails
If you like this Halloween-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Empress Corpse Reviver No. 2: A purple gin cocktail made with triple sec, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, absinthe, and an orange twist
Dr. Jekyll’s Monster Margarita: A tequila cocktail made with triple sec, black raspberry liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup, and black salt
Poison Apple: A rye whiskey cocktail made with cinnamon syrup, cranberry juice, apple cider, lemon juice, and apple slices
Witch’s Brew Lemonade: A gin cocktail made with lemonade, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and a rosemary sprig
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