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!
Looking for behind the scenes ingredient recipes and tips?
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Click here!
Inspired by Season 2, Episode 1: A Taste of Solitude
Left Over Lessons
This cocktail was inspired by the scene featuring Egwene gathering table scraps and left over wine and drink from the Sister's quarters. She then takes the liquid down to the kitchens where Alanna Sedai teaches the novices how to clarify the sludge using weaves. The goal in planning this cocktail was to create a drink that looked disgusting but had a wonderful taste. I chose a mix of flavours that did not seem to go together, but actually form a strong flavor profile. I worked to match the brown muddy look of the liquid in the scene and included sparkling water to represent the clear water they novices created. The glasses in the scene were only half full, so a Collin's glass is used to match the effect.
Note: When photographing the drink, lights were used to give the impression of a dirty glass. (Please use a clean glass when serving to guests.)
Note: When photographing the drink, lights were used to give the impression of a dirty glass. (Please use a clean glass when serving to guests.)
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Ingredients:
1 oz Créme de Cacao
1 oz Kahlua 0.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur 0.25 oz Créme de Menthe 2 oz Sparkling Water 1 Amarena Cherry Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 2: Strangers and Friends
Something a Little Stronger
The entire episode inspired elements of this cocktail. The red wine to represent blood and the meeting of Mat and Min, the smoke representing fire and fireside chats, scotch to represent Elayne's homebrew, the bitters representing the bitter truths learned this episode, and finally the cherry on the skull pick to represent the attack at the end. This episode really sees the action starting to ramp up, meaning a nice warming cocktail that embraces you is just the right thing to get through it.
A note on the scotch: Teachers has a nice balance of smoke to it and is reasonably priced. Lagavulin Quarter Cask is very heavy with smoke and peaty notes, with a higher price tag. Choose what your pallet and wallet enjoys.
A note on the scotch: Teachers has a nice balance of smoke to it and is reasonably priced. Lagavulin Quarter Cask is very heavy with smoke and peaty notes, with a higher price tag. Choose what your pallet and wallet enjoys.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Smoky Scotch (Teachers or Lagavulin Quarter Cask)
4 oz Red Wine (18 Crimes, Snoop Cali Red recommended) 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters 1 Amarena Cherry 1 part Cherry Wood Smoke Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 3: What Might Be
Golden Fire
Once again, the entire episode inspired elements of this cocktail. This episode was bitter from start to finish with a lot of emotion tied into it, so I decided to go with a Campari base. The Campari also represents the blood and loss featured in this episode. Blood Monkey Gin (with ten botanicals) was used to as a representation of Nynaeve, the Two Rivers Wisdom who features heavily in this episode and used herbs in her healing work. The red and gold of the drink symbolize Rand's coat, and the habanero represents the fire. Rubbing the pepper around the rim before garnishing creates a spicy lip feel with each sip you take, allowing you to feel a subtler version of the pain you felt while watching this episode. You may need more than one to get through this one.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Gin (Blood Monkey Gin recommended)
1 oz Campari 0.5 oz Triple Sec 5 drops Spicy Bitters (Scorpion Bitters recommended) Gold Flakes 1 Habanero Pepper Preparation:
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Inspired by Season 2, Episode 4: Daughter of the Night
An Elegant Pause
This episode featured fantastic writing and moved the story lines of the show and several characters forward in overt and subtle ways. This cocktail is representative of subtlety and features a base inspired by Moiraine's dealings in Cairhien. Elegantly dressed and with no time for tea with her sister, she moves about her tasks quickly. Vodka symbolizes the drawing of water with Lan and the ginger liqueur represents Elayne's homemade alcohol. Take your time enjoying this cold and refreshing drink as you ponder the many hidden details in this episode.
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Ingredients:
1.5 oz Vodka
1 oz Ginger Liqueur 2 oz Strong Lemon Ginger Tea (Cold) 0.5 oz Lemon Juice 1 Lemon Twist Preparation:
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Click here for past episodes of After the Roll.
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.