Ingredients:

  • 2 oz premium vodka
  • 1 oz unsweetened black cherry juice
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz grenadine or pomegranate molasses
  • 2 oz ginger beer
  • 2 tbsp light corn syrup
  • 4 drops red gel food coloring
  • 2 Luxardo cherries
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the 'blood rim' by mixing light corn syrup and red gel food coloring on a small shallow plate until it reaches a dark mahogany hue. This can be done up to 2 hours in advance.
  2. Dip the rim of a highball or wine glass into the red syrup. Turn the glass upright to allow the mixture to drip slowly down the sides; let set for 2 minutes.
  3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, black cherry juice, lime juice, and grenadine. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until chilled.
  4. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice, taking care not to disturb the syrup rim.
  5. Slowly pour ginger beer over the back of a bar spoon to create a layered effect. Garnish with two cherries on a skewer. Garnish skewers can also be prepared up to 2 hours in advance.