Vampiro

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The Vampiro is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created by fruit stand vendor Oscar Hernández in San Luis Soyatlán, Mexico. Similar to a Bloody Mary, the drink is also made with tomato juice, but it calls for aged tequila in place of the vodka and mixes it with citrus, pomegranate syrup, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with fermented blue agave and yeast, which are distilled and then briefly aged to develop a balanced, slightly oaky flavor.

Tomato Juice: This is the liquid juice of a tomato. I used Clamato Tomato Juice.

Orange Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe oranges that has a light, sweet citrus flavor and pale orange color.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.

Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a deep, sweet-tart flavor.

Hot Sauce: This is a condiment made with chili peppers, vinegar, salt, and additional spices or fruits, which are blended and cooked into a sauce with a spicy, flavorful heat.

Salt: This is a mineral composed of sodium chloride that has a granulated, crystal texture and savory flavor.

Ground Black Pepper: This is a spice made with dried and ground peppercorns that has a fine texture and sharp, pungent flavor.

Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright orange-red color

• Aroma: Citrus and pepper

• Taste: Savory and spicy tomato flavor backed by sweet and tangy citrus

• Finish: Agave and orange with a spicy hot sauce kick

Kendall’s Take: “I have to admit, I think I liked this tomato-based drink more than a traditional Bloody Mary. Usually when I drink those, I feel as if I’m just sipping on soup, but the citrus was a welcome addition. This is much more complex than a Bloody Mary, and it has a hint of heat which I really liked. I’d make the Vampiro again if I was in the mood for a Bloody Mary but wanted something slightly different.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail: 80 Cheerful Tipples to Warm Up Winter by Emma Stokes.