Meet the Let’s Turn on the Juice, a Beetlejuice-inspired Halloween cocktail from Scottish mixologist Adrian Gomes, and I am completely smitten with it! It starts with a jet black licorice vodka you infuse yourself, then gets stirred with coffee liqueur and blackcurrant cordial and topped with a soft layer of lightly whipped cream.
What Is the Let’s Turn on the Juice Cocktail?
Adrian Gomes created this drink for Sobieski vodka, taking his cue from the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The name winks at the film’s famous “turn on the juice” line, and the glass is every bit as dramatic as you would hope. Black licorice vodka gives it that inky color, coffee liqueur adds richness, and blackcurrant cordial brings a bright berry note.
Good to Know Before You Mix
- Start the black vodka a day or two before your party so it has time to infuse.
- Double cream is called heavy cream in the US. Whip it only lightly so it floats on top instead of holding stiff peaks.
- Kahlúa, Tia Maria, or Mr. Black all work as the coffee liqueur.
More Halloween Sips
Adrian Gomes created a second Sobieski serve to go with this one, the beetroot-red Bloody Murder, and the two look gorgeous side by side on a party table. For another seasonal favorite, try the Cempasúchil (Marigold) Cocktail, and you can find more ideas in my vodka cocktail recipes.
Let’s Turn on the Juice Cocktail FAQ
- What is in the Let’s Turn on the Juice cocktail? Black licorice-infused vodka, coffee liqueur, blackcurrant cordial, and lightly whipped double cream, finished with cinnamon.
- Is it a Beetlejuice cocktail? Yes! Adrian Gomes created it for Sobieski vodka, inspired by Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
- Do I have to make the black vodka myself? Yes, and it is the fun part. Start it a day or two before your party.
Why Lush Life Loves It
It looks like a showstopper and takes almost no effort on party night! The vodka infusesahead of time, so when your guests arrive you simply stir, pour, and layer. It reminds me of a White Russian dressed up for a costume party: creamy, coffee-rich, and wonderfully mysterious. Everything is easy to find at UK supermarkets, and the drama comes from that dark glass topped with pale cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Here is the recipe
Let’s Turn on the Juice
Ingredients
- 35 ml Black Liquorice-infused Sobieski Vodka (made with soft liquorice sweets such as Henry Goode’s)
- 30 ml Coffee Liqueur
- 10 ml Blackcurrant Cordial
- 50 ml Double Cream
- Cinnamon to garnish
Instructions
- Firstly make your black vodka: Infuse vodka with black licorice sweets for a day or two before your party, mixing from time to time..
- Add one serve of vodka to a tumbler, stir in the coffee liqueur and blackcurrant cordial and mix well.
- Carefully layer over lightly whipped double cream and sprinkle with cinnamon