Cocktails with a Literary Twist Created by The Calm Scribe
What goes well with a good book? A nice cocktail. What's even better? A cocktail inspired by and crafted for that book. The Calm Scribe has taken his bartending, culinary, and literary experience to craft delicious cocktails based on some of your favorite books. Some are based on characters, and some are based on the overall book. If you have a favorite book or character you would like to see turned into a cocktail, send us a message, and we will develop it. Contact us here to make your suggestions.
As always, please enjoy these cocktails responsibly and follow local laws and regulations. Let us know your thoughts when you try them!
As always, please enjoy these cocktails responsibly and follow local laws and regulations. Let us know your thoughts when you try them!
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 1: Rise of the Chroma Conclave
Dragon's Scale
Inspired by the vicious attack by the Chroma Conclave, the Dragon's Scale features Green Dragon Tincture, gold lustre to represent the dragon's horde, and sparkling wine to keep everything stirring. This cocktail is a spin on the Dragon's Mist listed below. Please enjoy responsibly. If you are not experienced with cannabis tincture, please use less or omit it altogether.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Vodka
1.5 oz Crème de Menthe 2.5 ml (or 1/2 barspoon) Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture (Optional) Champagne or Sparkling Wine 1/8 tsp Gold Lustre (Optional) Spritz of Absinthe Caution: This cocktail is extremely potent. Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 2: The Trials of Vasselheim
The Smoking Vassel
This cocktail was inspired by the majesty of Vasselheim. Featuring natural and easily accessible ingredients that seemed most likely available in Vasselheim. Barrel-aged gin makes up the core of this drink. Frangelico is a hazelnut liquor with a bottle designed to look like a Friar, representing natural flavours and religious orders. A splash of water is included to balance the drink and illustrate the wall of water that shows truth. The maple syrup sweetener and orange bitters pay homage to its natural beauty and the order of the Wild Mother. The cherry and orange peel garnish is an easily sourced garnish which ties the drink together. All smoked with pecan wood chips. An easy sipping and multi-layered cocktail. A smoky scotch can be used in place of the gin.
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Ingredients:
3/4 oz Frangelico
2 oz Barrel Aged Gin (or Scotch) 2 dashes Orange Bitters 1/2 tsp Pure Maple Syrup Splash of Water 1 Orange Wedge 1 Ice Cube Cherry and Orange Peel Garnish Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 3: The Sunken Tomb
The Sunken Heart
Taking inspiration from the Sunken Tomb and the end of this episode, The Sunken Heart is a layered cocktail. The layers and complexity of this cocktail tease not only the eye but also the palate. The dark cherry at the bottom is a surprise that represents love and loss as it waits to be found in the dark depths of the drink. Maraschino liqueur and Amaretto add a subtle sweet and nutty note to the cocktail, adding complexity to the dark coffee-infused rum, which calls to wake up even the deepest sleeping being. Topped with club soda, the drink visually gives the impression of a layer of water which deepens to mystery. Finally, the cardamom bitters tie all the flavours together and accents the coffee rum. Each sip offers a refreshing sensation with multiple layers of flavour to tease the tastebuds.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Dark Coffee Rum
0.5 oz Maraschino Liqueur 0.5 oz Amaretto 5 dashes Cardamom Bitters 1 Amarena Cherry (or Maraschino Cherry) Ice Club Soda Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 4: Those Who Walk Away
Second Chances
With a lot of inspiration to draw from, I decided to design a cocktail based on the overall theme with select elements represented. Just like this episode, Second Chances is complex with a slight bitterness. The egg white adds a silky mouth feel and, when combined with the red wine float, represents Yar-Voss. The grapefruit oils muddled into the tequila add a bitter note to match Zara and Kash's betrayal but is countered by the fresh grapefruit juice and the subtle sweetness of the agave syrup. This tequila-forward cocktail is multi-layered with a smooth balance to avoid overpowering. A solid representation of the second chances had by the group, Vex and Vax, and the calming of the bitter tensions with the Slayer's Take.
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Ingredients:
2 oz Tequila
1.5 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice 0.25 oz Agave Syrup 3 dashes Orange Bitters 0.5 oz Red Wine 1 Egg White (or 2 TBSP if using from a carton) Ice 5 Grapefruit Peels Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 5: Pass Through Fire
Trial by Fire
Inspired by Pyrah, home to the Fire Ashari people, Trial by Fire is a cocktail not for the faint of heart. Designed with fire in mind, this spicy cocktail is multi-faceted and can have the level of heat altered by changing the pepper used or how much of the pepper is used. The Mezcal gives a nice smokiness to the drink, with the Cointreau and lime juice adding a citrus twist to accent the combination of flavours. Campari adds a touch of bitterness to tame the sweetness of the mango juice, while the reaper bitters and habanero add a fiery kick. Connect to your inner Keyleth, draw upon your courage, and see if you can pass your own Trial by Fire. Push through the heat and enjoy a smoky adventure.
Note: This cocktail is very hot. If you are uncomfortable with intense heat, consider using a Thai chilli pepper or jalapeño or lessen the amount of habanero used. If you use too much heat, you will not be able to enjoy the complex flavours of this cocktail.
Note: This cocktail is very hot. If you are uncomfortable with intense heat, consider using a Thai chilli pepper or jalapeño or lessen the amount of habanero used. If you use too much heat, you will not be able to enjoy the complex flavours of this cocktail.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Mezcal
0.5 oz Cointreau 0.5 oz Campari 0.5 oz Lime Juice 3 oz Mango Nectar 2 Dash Reaper Bitters 1 Habanero Pepper (or milder pepper if preferred) 1 Mango Slice Ice Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 6: Into Rimecleft
Love & Loss
The first thing I noticed about this episode was a strong colour theme and the visually stunning battle scene with the Sphynx. In designing this cocktail, I wanted to capture the feeling of love and loss and the majesty of the galaxy colours when Vox Machina and the Sphynx face off. This shimmering cocktail has magical colour-changing properties that take you on a voyage deep into the universe of love and loss. The flavour is gentle with a warm embrace and intoxicating floral aroma, with the colours and shimmering swirl leaving you wishing it would last forever. This cocktail has a lingering aftertaste that breaks your heart when it is over. Stir up the magic and float through the cosmos as you watch Episode 6 of The Legend of Vox Machina.
Note: Rose water and pearl lustre are very powerful, use sparingly. The magic ice, vodka, and colour changing effects are created with butterfly pea flower infusions which react to changes in ph.
Note: Rose water and pearl lustre are very powerful, use sparingly. The magic ice, vodka, and colour changing effects are created with butterfly pea flower infusions which react to changes in ph.
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Ingredients:
2 oz Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Vodka (Click here for tips)
0.75 oz Lillet Blanc 0.5 oz St. Germain Elder Flower Liqueur 0.5 oz Lemon Syrup (Click here for tips) 1 Splash Rose Water 1/8 tsp Pearl Lustre Powder Crushed Magic Ice (Click here for tips) King Ice Cube Preparation:
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Classic Literary Cocktails
The Pennywise
Created in 2022, this literary cocktail is inspired by Pennywise from IT (1986) by Stephen King. Crafted with a Soju base, the drink features flavours of lychee, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, and spice. Much like its namesake, Pennywise starts light and fruity and then becomes more sinister as the heat slowly builds.
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Ingredients
1.5 oz Soju
0.5 oz Gin 2 oz Pineapple Juice 2 droppers of Ginger Honey Syrup (Click here for tips) 3 dashes Sweet Reaper Bitters 1 Egg White 2 Thai Chilli Peppers Preparation
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Tropical Fire
Created in 2022, Tropical Fire is a more accessible and lighter variation of the Pennywise. Inspired by Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding, this cocktail is light and fruity, with just a hint of heat. Letting you know that the island paradise you are on is not all that it seems.
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Ingredients
1.5 oz Soju
4 oz Pineapple Juice 2 droppers of Ginger Honey Syrup (Click here for tips) 3 dashes Sweet Reaper Bitters Preparation
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Dragon's Mist (Mist of the Dragon)
Created in 2022, this literary cocktail is inspired by Eyes of the Dragon (1987) by Stephen King. Crafted with a vodka base, the flavor profile of this drink is minty with an earthy and subtle nutty note. Served in a cocktail glass, this drink will take you on a fantastic voyage.
NOTE: Green Dragon Tincture is extremely potent and should be used with caution. Use only where allowed by law.
NOTE: Green Dragon Tincture is extremely potent and should be used with caution. Use only where allowed by law.
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Ingredients
1.5 oz Vodka
1.5 oz Crème de Menthe 2.5 ml (or half a barspoon) of Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture Spritz of Absinthe Preparation
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Sparkling Dragon's Mist
An easy sipping version of Dragon's Mist for those who prefer a lighter cocktail than a martini. Let the bubbles take you away to fantastic lands while you sit back and relax.
NOTE: Green Dragon Tincture is extremely potent and should be used with caution. Use only where allowed by law.
NOTE: Green Dragon Tincture is extremely potent and should be used with caution. Use only where allowed by law.
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Ingredients
1.5 oz Vodka
1.5 oz Crème de Menthe 2.5 ml (or half a barspoon) of Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture 1 splash of Absinthe 4 oz Club Soda Preparation
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The Neglected Coffee
Inspired by Rip Van Winkle (1819) by Washington Irving, this cocktail with a subtle sweetness to it will remind you of an iced coffee. Or perhaps a coffee waiting by your bedside while you sleep the hours away.
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Ingredients
1.5 oz Kraken Black Roast Rum
1 oz Vodka 0.5 oz Bailey's Irish Cream 0.5 oz Frangelico Mini Marshmallows Chocolate Drizzle Preparation
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Soon to be Released!
More Vox Machina cocktails and two gothic inspired cocktails to send chills down your spine.