Deathwish Cocktail recipe
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Deathwish is a high-octane, party-style highball that leans into the “kitchen-sink” school of mixed drinks: multiple base spirits, loud liqueurs, and a bright mixer to pull it together. Rather than a storied classic with a fixed origin, you’ll find it sits firmly in modern bar-shot culture, built for impact and spectacle in a tall glass. It reads like a dare, and it drinks like one too—big, bold, and unapologetically sweet.
On the palate, vodka and blanco tequila bring a clean, punchy backbone, while sambuca adds a distinctive anise sweetness that immediately stands out. Cinnamon schnapps layers in hot-spice candy notes, and the blue and red Aftershock amplify that sweet, fiery character with a cooling-then-warming edge. Blue curaçao contributes a vivid orange-citrus sweetness, and the lemonade top-up lifts everything with fizzy, lemony brightness that keeps the heavier liqueurs from feeling too dense.
You’ll reach for this when you want a loud, late-night drink that suits big groups, celebrations, and “one more round” energy. It’s ideal if you like sweet, syrupy flavours with a spicy kick and don’t mind your spirits sharing the spotlight. Serve it when the goal is fun and flavour intensity rather than subtlety.
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Highball glass
Ingredients
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Cocktail Colin says:
Sambuca’s anise leads into vodka’s clean punch, while cinnamon schnapps and red Aftershock bring hot candy spice, blue Aftershock and blue curaçao add electric sweetness, tequila blanco flashes peppery bite, and lemonade lifts everything with fizzy citrus. It works as a chaotic sweet-and-spicy stack where lemonade and citrus temper the syrupy liqueurs; best for party drinkers who like bold, boozy, candy-forward highballs.
Method
How to make a Deathwish
- Sambuca 30ml, Vodka 60ml, Cinnamon shcnapps 30ml, Tequila blanco 30ml, Aftershock (Blue) 30ml, Aftershock (Red) 30ml, Blue curaçao 30ml, Lemonade Top Up
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- Add all the ingredients into a highball glass with ice
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- Stir and serve
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FAQ's
Can I substitute any ingredient if I don't have Aftershock?
Yes, if you don't have Aftershock (blue or red), you can substitute it with other flavored liqueurs that match the color and have a similar spicy or cooling effect. For blue Aftershock, use a mint-flavored liqueur with blue food coloring, and for red Aftershock, a cinnamon-flavored liqueur can be a good substitute.
Why is the Deathwish cocktail stirred and not shaken?
The Deathwish is stirred instead of shaken to gently mix the ingredients without diluting the cocktail too much. Shaking could also lead to overmixing the diverse flavors, making them lose their distinctiveness.
What is the best way to serve the Deathwish cocktail?
The best way to serve the Deathwish cocktail is in a highball glass, chilled but without ice to maintain its strong flavor profile. Optionally, you could add a twist of lemon peel or a few ice cubes if preferred.
How does the alcohol content in Deathwish compare to other classic cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 24.8%, Deathwish has a higher alcohol content compared to many classic cocktails, such as the Margarita (around 13%) or the Cosmopolitan (around 20%). It's designed for those who prefer stronger drinks.
What type of occasion is the Deathwish cocktail best suited for?
Given its strong flavor and high alcohol content, the Deathwish cocktail is best suited for occasions that call for bold, memorable drinks, such as themed parties or special celebrations where it can be appreciated by guests looking for something out of the ordinary.
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