BlackjacksCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Blackjacks is a bold, two-ingredient shot that sits firmly in the “quick hit” family of modern bar mixes, built for impact rather than ceremony. You won’t find a widely agreed origin story for it, but its appeal is easy to place: it leans into the long-running popularity of anise-led liqueurs in nightlife, paired with whiskey for extra depth and bite. It’s the kind of name that signals something dark, punchy, and unapologetically direct.
On the palate, black sambuca leads with intense anise sweetness and a deep, inky liquorice character. The whiskey comes in underneath, adding warmth and a grainy, oaky edge that reins in the liqueur’s sugar and gives the finish a firmer, more spirit-forward snap. Expect a short, aromatic burst up front, followed by a lingering liquorice note with a whiskey glow.
Serve it when you want something fast, assertive, and a little polarising—in a good way. It suits late-night rounds, after-dinner moments, or anyone who already loves liquorice and anise flavours. If you’re usually a whiskey drinker, you’ll find it an easy detour into sweeter territory without losing that familiar heat.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
.svg){kind=icon}
Cocktail Colin says:
Whiskey brings a sharp, oaky bite up front, quickly swallowed by black sambuca’s dense, inky sweetness and licorice punch that lingers on the palate. The combo works by letting the sambuca’s syrupy anise smooth the whiskey’s edge while the whiskey keeps the sweetness from feeling flat; it’s best for licorice lovers who want a fast, assertive shot.
Method
How to make a Blackjacks
- Whiskey 10ml, Sambuca (black) 30ml
-
- Pour the sambuca into a shot glass, then use a teaspoon to layer of Jack Daniel's on top and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Blackjacks with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Layer ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What type of whiskey is recommended for Blackjacks?
For Blackjacks, a smooth and mild whiskey is recommended to complement the strong flavor of the black Sambuca. A blended whiskey or a lighter single malt Scotch could work well in this cocktail.
Is there a specific way to layer the ingredients in a Blackjacks cocktail?
Yes, there is a technique to achieve the layered look often desired in a Blackjacks cocktail. Pour the Sambuca first into the shot glass, and then gently pour the whiskey over the back of a spoon placed just above the surface of the Sambuca. This helps the whiskey to float on top of the Sambuca, creating a layered effect.
How does the alcohol content of Blackjacks compare to other common cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 38.5%, Blackjacks have a higher alcohol concentration than many other cocktails, particularly those that include mixers or are served in larger volumes. This high alcohol content is due to the exclusive use of spirits (whiskey and Sambuca) without any dilution from non-alcoholic ingredients.
What occasions are best suited for serving Blackjacks?
Blackjacks, with their strong and potent flavor profile, are well-suited for late-night gatherings, Halloween parties, or as a bold beginning to a night out. Their distinct appearance and taste make them a memorable choice for adult celebrations.
Can I modify the cocktail to make it less strong?
Yes, to make a less potent version of Blackjacks, consider adding a splash of water or a few ice cubes to dilute the alcohol strength. Alternatively, you can increase the proportion of Sambuca to whiskey, as Sambuca typically has a slightly lower alcohol content than most whiskeys.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this perfect Scotch and soda balance.
Scotch Whisky Highball
Whiskey, Soda water
Relish the scrumptiously sweet blend of whisky and berries.
Blackberry Bramble
Whiskey, Lime, Sugar, Blackberries
Dive into this robust mix of whiskey and cola.
Jack's Godfather Highball
Whiskey, Amaretto, Cola
Try this vibrant vodka and whiskey concoction
Venom
Vodka, Whiskey, Orange, WKD blue
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments