Skull Candy Recipe

Inspired by Tattu Birmingham

Time20m

Serves1

This infamous serve has been our largest selling cocktail since our inception in 2015. Ciroc is combined with a homemade bubble-gum syrup to create a drink that emulates liquid candy.

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

2 oz Cîroc (or other premium vodka)

1 oz Bubble-gum syrup (see recipe)

1/2 oz Fresh lemon juice

1/4 oz Blue curaçao (optional for color)

1 1/2 oz Club soda (to top)

1 cup Ice

1 to taste Garnish: cotton candy or sour candy rope

Bubble-gum syrup (makes ~12 oz)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup Water

1 tbs Bubble-gum flavored lip-smacking candy or bubble-gum base (sugar-free pieces removed) OR bubble-gum syrup concentrate

1/2 tsp Watkins vanilla extract

1/8 tsp Almond extract (optional, to round gum flavor)

1 drop Blue or pink food coloring (optional)

Method

Bubble-gum syrup (make ahead)

Combine sugar and water

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar is fully dissolved and mixture just reaches a gentle simmer.

Infuse bubble-gum flavor

Lower heat to medium-low. Add 1 tablespoon bubble-gum flavoring or a splash of commercial bubble-gum concentrate. Stir to combine. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to marry flavors. Do not boil vigorously.

Add extracts and color

Remove pan from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional). Add 1–2 drops of pink or blue food coloring until desired candy color is reached.

Cool and store

Allow syrup to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a clean bottle or jar. Refrigerate. Syrup keeps 2–3 weeks refrigerated. Yields about 12 ounces; use 1 ounce per cocktail.

Cocktail assembly

Chill glass

If desired, place a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill with ice to chill while preparing the cocktail.

Measure and combine

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour 2 oz Cîroc vodka, 1 oz bubble-gum syrup, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice and 1/4 oz blue curaçao (if using for color).

Shake

Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch and the mixture is well combined and slightly frothy.

Strain and top

Fill the chilled glass with fresh ice. Strain the shaken cocktail into the glass. Top gently with 1.5 oz club soda to give a light effervescence. Stir once gently to combine.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a small tuft of cotton candy perched on the rim (if using, remove before drinking or let it dissolve into the drink) or thread a sour candy rope along the rim for a nostalgic candy presentation. Serve immediately.