Black Eyed Susan Cocktail: A Fruity, Festive Drink in Minutes
If you’re after a drink that’s both fruity and refreshing, with a touch of uniqueness, then the Black-eyed Susan cocktail is a great choice. This drink mixes vodka, spiced rum, peach schnapps, and fresh citrus juices into a smooth, tropical cocktail. It was first made as the official drink of the Preakness Stakes and is full of bright flavors with a nice kick, making it perfect for anything from outdoor BBQs and having friends over to quiet evenings at home.
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!) Believe me, after the first sip, this cocktail recipe will be your favorite choice for any event.
Black Eyed Susan Cocktail
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
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. I mix it, top it off with ginger ale, and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry—simple yet incredibly tasty!
If you love rum-based drinks, you might also enjoy the Strawberry Pineapple Rum Cocktail for a refreshing twist on a classic cocktail.
I’m confident you’ll find it just as delicious.
Key Ingredients and Tools
You’ll need some specific ingredients and tools to whip up this cocktail. Some might already be in your kitchen, while others might be new. Keep these in mind:
- 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.
Paying attention to these ingredients will help you make a great drink. Feel free to tweak or swap things out based on what you like or have.
Troubleshooting and Help
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. If you substitute, the drink will taste slightly different but still good!
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.
A highball or rocks glass is perfect for this cocktail. Just make sure it’s filled with ice, and you’re good to go!
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!
Absolutely! You can mix everything except the ginger ale ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pour the chilled mix over ice and add a splash of ginger ale to each glass. For more easy cocktails with fresh juices, check out the Spiced Rum and Pineapple Juice Cocktail for another vibrant option.
It’s super easy! Just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and mix everything in a pitcher. Add the ginger ale right before serving so it keeps its fizz.
The cocktail is a tasty and refreshing drink that’s great for any occasion, from hanging out with friends to celebrating something special. It’s easy to whip up with just a few basic ingredients, and you can quickly make a popular drink that everyone will love. Whether entertaining guests or relaxing at home, this recipe is a perfect choice. It mixes rum, vodka, and fresh juices for a tropical taste that’s fun but not too complicated. Try making it, play around with the tastes, and enjoy a simple and delicious drink. You’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time after time!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.