“Mirror, mirror on the wall… who is the fairest one of all?” Beautiful, deceptive and surprisingly innocent – the Evil Queen is a ruby-red mocktail made with zero-proof bourbon for body and warmth without the bite, and apple juice and summer berries for that jewelled glow. Sweet, balanced and non-alcoholic – it looks dangerously indulgent but tastes of pure autumn magic.
Lou’s tasting notes
TASTE: Orchard-bright and vanilla-oak warmth
SERVE IN: Coupe glass
GARNISH: Crystallised apple slice dusted with cinnamon sugar
MOOD: Enchanted forest at dusk – dangerous beauty turned innocent
The Queen’s reckoning
So after Cruella’s couture drama, Maleficent’s gothic magic, and Ursula’s underwater seduction, I knew the Evil Queen had to close my Once Upon a Cocktail series with something completely unexpected. After all, she’s calculated, regal and the original ‘beauty is only skin deep’ cautionary tale!
My breakthrough moment was realising – what if the poisoned apple wasn’t poisoned and it was the exact opposite? Beautiful and dangerous-looking, but actually completely innocent? The irony felt the perfect series finale.
I really wanted this one to feel different, it needed to be warmer with that woodland fairytale energy that only Snow White evokes. Because as the OG Disney Villain, the Evil Queen isn’t cool and sophisticated like Cruella, or dark and mystical like Maleficent, or even theatrical like Ursula. She’s earthy autumn magic, forest floor, dappled light through trees.
The key to the Evil Queen was Lyres 0% bourbon – it brings genuine body, vanilla-oak depth and a slightly earthy quality that makes this feel like a proper cocktail. I paired it with fresh apple juice and a homemade summer berry compete for that ruby colour, and a touch of mulling syrup for warmth. It’s autumn in a glass and completely alcohol-free!
Why you’ll love the Evil Queen cocktail
If you’re looking for a mocktail that actually feels special, then this one’s for you. Here’s why it works:
- It’s balanced and elegant – The 0% bourbon has warmth and vanilla notes that make it taste grown-up and complex; bringing real presence without the alcohol.
- It looks like a high-end cocktail – That ruby-red and silky foam is beautiful to look at; it makes people ask… is that really alcohol-free?
- It’s flexible for everyone – Just one quick swap for real bourbon and you’ve got a spirited option, perfect for serving to both drinkers and non-drinkers without anyone feeling left out.
Ingredients
- 0% American Malt Bourbon – I used Lyre’s American Malt which has vanilla, toasted nuts honey, and oak notes, bringing that ‘whiskey warmth’ without alcohol. If you can’t find it, any quality non-alcoholic bourbon alternative works – go for something with vanilla and oak character rather than something neutral.
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup – If you don’t have a syrup, you can use a cinnamon simple syrup (brown sugar and cinnamon) or even a good quality chai syrup instead. I used Fortnum & Mason Clementine-Juniper Mulling Syrup for a similar flavour.
- Apple Juice – Ideally you want to go for a cloudy juice, rather than clear. This is your core apple flavour – the star of the show.
- Berry Compote – I included my homemade compote (mixed berries cooked down), but you could swap for a dark berry jam or even pomegranate juice to give you that jewel-toned colour naturally – no artificial colouring needed.
- Egg White – This creates that gorgeous foam. Some people are nervous about egg white in cocktails, but it’s completely safe when shaken properly, and the texture it creates is just magical.
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Angostura Bitters
Recommended ingredients
Why the Evil Queen works
This cocktail captures everything I love about the Evil Queen’s story – especially the deception and the fact that things aren’t always what they seem. eautiful and tempting on the surface with darker complexity underneath all wrapped in elegant presentation. But this poison apple that won’t hurt you.
That first sip is all charm – apple brightness and berry tartness; then you get the complexity: vanilla-oak from the 0% bourbon and gentle warmth, as it glides down the back of your throat. It’s layered, sophisticated and alcohol-free – that’s its beautiful secret.
FAQs about the Evil Queen mocktail
For sure! You can use 45ml aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) as a vegan alternative – just shake even longer to build the foam. Or use pasteurised egg whites from a carton if you prefer (about 30ml). The alcohol and acidity in cocktails make raw eggs safe, but totally understand the concern!
Absolutely! Swap the Lyre’s for 40ml of good bourbon (I’d recommend something smooth like Woodford Reserve). You might want to reduce the apple juice slightly to 15ml to keep the balance, as real bourbon is stronger.
Don’t panic, you can easily make a quick cinnamon brown sugar syrup: equal parts brown sugar and water with a cinnamon stick, simmer until the sugar has dissolved, then leave to cool. Alternatively, you can use chai syrup, apple pie spice syrup or even maple syrup with a pinch of cinnamon.
Yes, I used the compote as I had it to hand and it’s a great colour! But instead you can use 15-20ml pomegranate juice, and it will give you that colour and the tart fruit flavor. It’ll be clearer than using compote, which is actually lovely.
Shake for longer! The dry shake (without ice) is crucial, so really go for it for 15-20 seconds. Also fresh eggs work better than older ones for foam structure, and make sure you’re straining gently; if you pour too aggressively, you’ll deflate the foam.
Yes it makes a great party cocktail. Mix everything except the egg white and chill for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add egg white to individual portions and shake each one fresh. The foam needs to be made right before serving as it deflates within 10-15 minutes.
More villain cocktail recipes to try
If you liked this Evil Queen cocktail recipe here are the others in the series, that I think you’d enjoy…
The Evil Queen
Ingredients
For the mocktail:
- 40 ml 0% Bourbon Lyre’s American Malt
- 20 ml Apple Juice
- 15 ml Berry Compote or Pomegranate Juice
- 20 ml Cinnamon Simple Syrup or Chai Syrup
- 10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 4-5 dashes Angostura Bitters optional
For the garnish (optional):
- 1 Egg White
- Dehydrated Apple Slice
- Honey
- Cinnamon Sugar
Instructions
Prepare your garnish first:
- Brush your dehydrated apple slice with honey on both sides, and dust with cinnamon sugar until it sparkles.
- Set aside to dry – this is your ‘crystallised poison’ moment.
Make the cocktail:
- Add 0% bourbon, apple juice, berry compote, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice and bitters (if using) to your cocktail shaker
- Add the egg white.
- Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 15-20 seconds – this builds that gorgeous foam structure.
- Add a generous amount of ice and shake hard for another 12-15 seconds until properly chilled.
- Double strain carefully into a chilled coupe glass – take your time for a smooth pour. Allow the silky foam to settle on top.
The finishing touch:
- Place your crystallised apple slice gently on the foam.
- Sip slowly and remember: sometimes the most innocent things look deadly, and sometimes the deadliest things look sweet. That’s the magic of a good story… and a great cocktail 🍎
Notes
-
- Want to make it alcoholic? Swap the 0% bourbon for 40ml real bourbon. Reduce apple juice to 15ml to keep the balance.
- Nervous about raw egg? Use pasteurised egg whites from a carton (about 30ml) or try aquafaba (chickpea liquid, about 45ml) as a vegan alternative – just shake longer to build the foam.
- No syrup? Make quick cinnamon brown sugar syrup: equal parts brown sugar and water with ½ tsp ground cinnamon, simmer until dissolved, cool. Keeps 2 weeks chilled. Chai syrup or maple syrup with a pinch of cinnamon also work.
- No compote? Use 15-20ml pomegranate juice for that ruby colour and tart fruit flavour. Cranberry juice also works (slightly drier). The drink will be clearer but equally beautiful.
- Foam not forming? The dry shake is crucial – shake hard for a full 15-20 seconds without ice first. Fresh eggs work better than older ones. Strain gently when pouring to avoid deflating the foam.
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.
