If Cruella de Vil had a signature cocktail, it would be this – effortlessly chic, slightly dangerous, and designed to steal the spotlight. Inspired by the fashion-forward villain herself, the Cruella reimagines a classic White Russian. Layers of silky coconut cream and dark rum swirl together in perfect villain style – indulgent, dramatic and unapologetically bold.
Lou’s tasting notes
TASTE: Smooth, creamy and just a little wicked
SERVE IN: Coupe or rocks glass
GARNISH: Cherry on the side & grenadine drops
MOOD: Glamourous chaos – part luxury, part danger
Glamour, chaos and the perfect pour
When I started dreaming up my Once Up a Cocktail: The Villains’ Pour project, I knew Cruella had to come first. She’s that one villain who comes to mind that’s full of contrast – the black and white, good taste and completely bad intentions, the elegant couture and utter chaos. And this cocktail captures exactly that.
This project was partly about exploring my new love of cocktail creation, but also the pure theatre that I live for as a photographer. The way the light hits the glass, soft but dramatic, turned my little kitchen into a fashion-editorial set. Clean lines, deep shadows, glossy textures. Cruella might be wicked, but she’s got impeccable taste.
Why you’ll love the Cruella
If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, then you’ll fall in love with this one. But let me tell you why it’s the perfect addition to your villain cocktail repertoire…
- Pure theatre in a glass – The black and white is Cruella and Dalmatians, and it’s the kind of drink that gets everyone asking what it is.
- Flavour that delivers: It’s not just a pretty face. The smooth coconut layer with the rich dark chocolate and rum is luxurious without being heavy.
- Accessible indulgence: Don’t let the layering intimidate you; this is surprisingly simple to make, and the magic of the pour makes it feel far more complicated than it actually is.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this black and white beauty. You might most of these already, but if you don’t, they’re worth keeping on hand for future villain cocktails…
- Dark Rum: A rich, spiced dark rum anchors the cocktail with depth and warmth – this is your wicked element.
- Chocolate Liqueur: Sweet, indulgent and unapologetically luxe. I used Crème de Cacao, but a quality chocolate liqueur or even coffee liqueur works beautifully.
- Black Cocoa Powder: Optional but dramatic – mix with a little hot water to deepen the colour. Regular cocoa works too.
- White Rum: The base of the cream layer. Go for something clean and smooth, like Two Drifters.
- Double Cream or Heavy Cream: For that satin finish. Single cream works too, but double gives the richest texture.
- Coconut Syrup: Adds a subtle tropical sweetness, but don’t be tempted by coconut cream; the syrup keeps it silky.
Recommended ingredients
Why the Cruella works
This series was about more than creating cocktails; it’s about embodying each villain through taste and tone. And with Cruella, that black and white contrast says it all.
The first sip is deceptive – soft, creamy, indulgent — then the darker notes of rum and chocolate hit, adding richness and edge. It’s duality in a glass: elegance with bite.
FAQs about the Cruella
Yes, and this is where the magic happens. Mix each layer separately and keep them chilled in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, just pour the black layer into the glass first, then gently float the cream layer on top, and serve.
Absolutely. Swap it for regular cocoa powder and add a small drop of black food colouring or cold espresso to get that deep colour. It won’t be quite as dramatic, but it’ll still look stunning.
For the white layer, I use a white rum – something smooth and neutral as it lets the coconut shine. For the dark layer, a spiced or aged dark rum is ideal, but honestly, use what you’ve got; this is all about experimenting.
A simple coupe or rocks glass works well. Cruella loves a clean silhouette, think high fashion, so nothing fussy, or anything competes with her. The glass should be elegant and let the drink take centre stage.
For sure, there are lots of different options for low or 0% alcohol options that you can swap in. To make it lower alcohol, swap some of the alcohol for more cream and coconut syrup, but honestly, the alcohol helps with the layering effect and the overall balance. This one’s best left as is.
Temperature is key. Make sure your black layer is properly chilled before you add the white layer, and pour the white layer slowly over the back of a spoon. If they’re mixing more than you’d like, try chilling the glass itself before pouring.
More Halloween recipes to try
If you liked this Cruella de Vil cocktail recipe for Halloween here are some others that I think you’d enjoy…
The Maleficent
Ingredients
- 40 ml Spiced Rum or Barrel-aged Golden Rum
- 20 ml Damson Liqueur or Sloe Gin
- 15 ml Cherry Syrup
- 20 ml Lemon Juice fresh
- 10 ml Brown Sugar Syrup
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the rum, damson liqueur, cherry syrup, lemon juice and brown sugar syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well until everything is properly chilled and combined – you want this cold and silky.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to catch any ice shards or pulp.
- Garnish with a star anise pod on the rim – simple and elegant.
- If using smoke: follow your smoker instructions and either trap in a cloche over the cocktail or let it drift over the top and around the glass.
- Sip slowly and enjoy feeling like you could cast a spell at any moment.
Notes
- Damson Liqueur Substitute: Sloe gin or plum brandy work beautifully if you can’t find damson. For a softer profile, try blackberry liqueur and reduce the cherry syrup slightly.
- No brown sugar syrup? Use simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water) or honey syrup for extra depth.
- Make it a mocktail: Swap the rum for a dark non-alcoholic spirit and the liqueur for plum or blackberry juice.
- Batch tip: Mix everything except the lemon juice ahead of time and chill. Add fresh lemon just before shaking and serving.
Nutrition
DISCLAIMER
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
