Black Opal Drink

The Black Opal Drink is a liquor-heavy cocktail that is fruity and fun! This striking and potent drink is a unique and complex cocktail known for its dark, opalescent color and layers of flavors. Many describe the Black Opal as a darker, fruitier version of the well-loved Long Island Iced Tea as they both perfectly mix the robustness of various spirits with a collection of mixers.

This cocktail's name is inspired by the gemstone, black opal. Two of the drink's main ingredients include deep red blackberry liqueur and bright Blue Curacao. These ingredients give the black opal cocktail its fruity sweetness and bring the intriguing colors of black opal to life.

Ingredient Notes

There are many Black Opal recipe variations available. We have decided to make the most popular version that uses ingredients that are easy to find and that create a well-balanced, tasty end result.

The ingredients you will need to make a Black Opal Drink are listed below, and you can find a full detailed recipe card at the end of this post.

• Vodka. Any plain, unflavored vodka will work well for this recipe. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol and is neutral in flavor. Therefore, you can use any vodka you like to make this recipe.
• Gin. Use any gin that you like! The gin adds an element of botanical complexity to this drink so choose one that you enjoy the flavor profile of.
• Rum. You can use any rum for this recipe, but we recommend using a lighter variety. The rum adds a hint of molasses sweetness. 
• Triple sec. This orange liqueur provides some delicious citrus brightness to this drink.
• Blackberry liqueur. Chambord is a luxurious black raspberry liqueur that is a must for this recipe. It is known for its velvety richness and depth and it is what helps to create the signature dark color of the Black Opal Drink.
• Blue Curacao.   This is an orange-flavored liqueur that is dyed blue. This is a must-have ingredient to get the iconic deep hue of this drink. I recommend going for a mid to high-end Blue Curacao, like Giffard or Drillaud, for a more authentic orange peel flavor.
• Lemon-lime soda. Any lemon-lime soda will work for this recipe, such as Sprite or 7-UP. You could also use any other sparkling lemonade you prefer . You could also make your own by combining lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water!
• Sweet and sour mix. Use my homemade sweet and sour cocktail mix or buy it at the store.

How to Make a Black Opal Drink

This Black Opal Drink only takes a few minutes to create and you don't need any fancy bar equipment to mix one up. The drink is assembled in the serving glass so it is quick and easy to mix one up.

• STEP ONE: Fill a rocks serving glass ¾ full with ice cubes or crushed ice.
• STEP TWO: Add all the cocktail ingredients except for the lemon-lime soda. Gently stir to mix.
• STEP THREE: Top the drink with lemon-lime soda and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• This cocktail is best enjoyed as soon as it is made as it will lose some of its carbonation over time.
• You can serve a Black Opal Drink with crushed ice or whole ice. Just keep in mind that as the ice melts it will start to slightly dilute the drink.
• Use a jigger or a measuring cup to measure your ingredients accurately. A precise measurement can make a big difference in the balance, strength, and flavor of your cocktail.
• If you would like to add a garnish to your drink, we recommend a lemon or lime wheel for a pop of color and flavor.
• This drink contains a high volume and mix of spirits so please drink responsibly.

If you have tried this recipe, we would love it if you leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and comment below!