Vampire

The Vampire is a blood-red shot that is about as easy to make as it is to drink. Vodka, raspberry liqueur and cranberry juice are shaken cold and strained into a shot glass, where the drink turns a deep, glossy crimson that looks exactly right on a Halloween night.

It tastes like a tart, berry-forward version of a Cosmopolitan in shot form. The raspberry liqueur brings sweetness and a rich berry flavor, the cranberry keeps it tart, and the vodka stays in the background. It is a crowd-pleaser that works just as well at a holiday party in December.

Glass: Shot glass | Strength: Medium | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 2 minutes

Bartenders tip: Chambord is the classic raspberry liqueur and gives the richest color. For a party, shake a big batch in a pitcher with ice, strain it into a bottle and keep it in the fridge so you can pour a tray of shots in seconds.