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Brain hemorrhage cocktail

01.15.2015 (Updated: 10.10.2022) in Cocktail hour

Often served as a scary Halloween drink, brain hemorrhage is a drink that relies on specific gravity to form the distinct layers. The “brain” is the effect of the curdling of the cream component in Bailey’s Irish Cream when it hits the pool of peach schnapps.

Brain hemorrhage cocktail

Okay, so it’s not exactly a summer drink. But here in the tropics where it’s practically summer all year except during the monsoon season, we used to make this when we had guests just to watch their amazement.

So, Bailey’s is simply poured into a glass of peach schnapps and the curdling happens? Yes. But there is a proper technique to achieve the hemorrhage part.

Ideally, pouring the grenadine should be done is a slow circular motion so that the “brain” will appear to be bleeding from every direction. As the grenadine falls to the bottom of the glass (specific gravity), some of the curdled cream will get pulled along making the drink look even more disgusting and fun.

Brain Hemorrhage Halloween Cocktail
Brain hemorrhage cocktail
Connie Veneracion
It is essential that good quality peach schnapps is used, the kind with very high alcohol content, because the curdling won’t happen if the alcohol content is low.
Prep Time 1 minute min
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 1 minute min
Course Drinks
Cuisine International
Servings 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ tablespoons Peach schnapps
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Grenadine

Instructions
 

  • Pour peach schnapps into a shot glass until about half-full.
  • Slowly pour Bailey’s Irish Cream in a thin stream over the peach schnapps.
  • Wait a few seconds for the cream to curdle.
  • Once the cream has curdled and the “brain” has formed, it is time to add some “blood” to make the “brain” hemorrhage.
  • Slowly pour grenadine over the curdled cream.
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, the blog owner earns commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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Connie Veneracion, 2020

Hi, I’m Connie!

Home cook and writer by passion, photographer by necessity, and good food, coffee and wine lover forever. I write recipes, cooking tips and food stories. No AI is used in creating content for this blog.

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