Black Eyed Susan Cocktail: Simple + Pretty

This drink mixes vodka, spiced rum, peach schnapps, and fresh citrus juices into a delicious not-too-sweet summertime cocktail. It’s also easy to make. All it takes is a bit of shaking—no need for a blender or cutting. (Well, you might have to squeeze some juice!)

Prep Time:5

Total Time:5

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
strainer
Jigger or measuring tool
Bar spoon

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka
1 ounce spiced rum
1 ounce peach schnapps
2 ounce pineapple juice (bottled or freshly juiced)
2 ounce orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 ounce ginger ale
orange slice and maraschino cherry (for garnish)

Instructions

Shake the ingredients. Add the vodka, rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and freshly squeezed orange juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds or until the mixture is well chilled.
Pour over ice. Strain the shaken mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice, leaving some space for the ginger ale at the top.
Top with ginger ale. Pour a splash of ginger ale on the drink to add a bit of fizz.
Garnish and serve. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a fresh orange slice. You can add a black-eyed Susan flower for an extra festive touch.

Notes

Fresh orange and pineapple juice makes the drink taste better and brighter than juice from a bottle. Bottled juice works if you’re in a hurry, but fresh juice makes the drink special.

Choosing decent vodka and rum is important for this drink because it’s mostly alcohol. You don’t need the most expensive kind, but stay away from the very cheap ones to keep your drink tasting good and well-balanced.

If you don’t like your drink too sweet, play around with how much pineapple and orange juice you use. Since pineapple juice is sweeter, add more orange juice to make it less sweet.

Use less peach schnapps or ginger ale if the drink is too sweet. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more schnapps or juice.

Orange slices and cherries are the usual garnishes, but you can try something new! Maybe add a mint leaf or a pineapple slice to make it look more interesting.

Feel free to change the recipe to what you like! Some people add a bit of lime juice for a tangy taste or use a different liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau for a citrusy kick.

Nutrition

Servings: drink

Calories: 196kcal

Author: Katie

I love making this drink! This tropical mix of vodka, spiced rum, peach schnapps, and fresh citrus juices is always a hit, whether I’m hosting friends or just relaxing at home. Its cute name makes it even more fun, especially when adding a fresh flower as decoration. The best part? It’s super easy to make.

Cocktail Tips

Mixing the ingredients with ice cools them down and mixes them well, making your drink smooth. Shake it hard for about 10-15 seconds to mix it properly.
Once you add the ginger ale, wait a minute before drinking. This lets the flavors mix well with the bubbles, enhancing the taste.
For a colder drink, put your glass in the freezer for a bit (10-15 minutes) before you make your drink.
Using crushed ice instead of whole cubes can make your drink even cooler. It cools the drink quicker and adds a fun, slushy texture, which is great for warm weather.
If you have guests, you can make a big batch in a pitcher. Just remember to add the ginger ale before serving to keep it bubbly. This makes it easier for everyone to get their drinks without waiting.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Peach schnapps: This adds a sweet, fruity flavor to your drink. If you’re not a fan or don’t have any, try using orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Grand Marnier.

Spiced rum: It brings a gentle warmth and goes well with the fruity bits. Look for it in the liquor aisle. If you’ve only got regular rum, that’s fine too—your cocktail will taste a bit softer.

Fresh orange juice: Squeezing your oranges makes the drink fresher and tastier than store-bought juice. Bottled juice is okay if you’re short on time, but fresh juice makes a difference.

Ginger ale: Adding ginger ale gives your drink a bubbly, slightly spicy finish. If you’re not into sweetness or want more of a kick, try club soda or ginger beer instead.

Serving Suggestions

This cocktail is best served with all your favorite pretty appetizers like bruschetta, shrimp cocktail/

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use a different type of rum?

Yes! If you don’t have spiced rum on hand, you can use light or dark rum, but remember that spiced rum adds a warm, slightly sweet flavor.

Can I make this less sweet?

Yes, you can dial back the sweetness by using less peach schnapps or ginger ale. You could use club soda instead of ginger ale for a lighter, less sweet finish.

What’s the best type of glass to serve this in?

A highball or rocks glass is perfect for this cocktail. Just make sure it’s filled with ice, and you’re good to go!

Can I make this drink without alcohol?

Definitely! You can skip the vodka, rum, and schnapps and mix the juices with ginger ale for a refreshing mocktail. It won’t have the same kick, but it’s still delicious!

Storage Instructions

This drink is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well due to the mix of juices and alcohol. If you want to make it ahead of time, you can mix all the ingredients except the ginger ale and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

You’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time after time!

Black Eyed Susan Cocktail: Simple + Pretty