Smoky Sanderson Sisters’ Smash – my go-to quick and cozy autumn bourbon smash. It’s frightastically magical. Think cinnamon-spiced cider syrup, smoked cinnamon, and sage, all muddled with blackberries, bitters, and smooth bourbon. The perfect Halloween cocktail to toast the season. Top it off with fresh sage and a smoking cinnamon stick for that extra Sanderson Sisters enchantment.
And we’re back! Cocktail Saturday is officially here for the season. That means three solid months of holiday drinks—spooky for October, rich and elegant for Thanksgiving in November, and full-on festive for December.
I’m so excited! These recipes, photos, and videos are hands-down some of my favorites to make. I get to go all out with creativity for every new drink—it’s a blast!
Today, we’re kicking off Halloween with our first eerie cocktail. It’s totally inspired by Hocus Pocus 2 (which just dropped yesterday). Asher and I love the original—we’ve watched it together every single year since she was little.
We’ve been hyped for the sequel and can’t wait to see it this weekend. So, a “black magic”-style drink felt like the perfect fit.
The Spooky Details
The base? A mix of reduced cinnamon-spiced apple cider syrup, fresh sage, blackberries, lemon bitters, and bourbon.
The drink itself is a deep blood-red, super warming, with a kick of cinnamon spice and a sweet berry finish.
First, simmer apple cider with a cinnamon stick to make the syrup.
The rest is easy. Start by smoking the cinnamon stick and sage—sounds fancy, but just light them with a kitchen torch, then trap the smoke in your glass.
This gives the glass a smoky cinnamon-sage flavor. So fun and deliciously different.
Now, muddle the berries with fresh sage, add lemon juice, bitters, and bourbon. Pour over ice. I like to char another cinnamon stick and toss in extra sage for garnish.
It’s a little extra, but so worth the magic.
