Season 6 of the HBO hit series Game of Thrones kicks off tonight at 9 p.m. EST, and I, for one, am looking for a lot of answers. (Say it isn’t so, Jon Snow!) Whether you are gathering friends around the TV for a viewing party or if you just need a little liquid courage to make it through the potential lost of your favorite face, I’ve got some character-inspired craft cocktails created for the occasion.
“The Crows’ Old-Fashioned”
by Tad Carducci, bartender, mixologist and co-founder of Tippling Bros.
Highlighting a rustic, old-world brandy from Chateau du Tariquet, the Crows’ Old Fashioned is rich, warming, dark and brooding. Just what one needs before going North of the Wall.
Ingredients:
•1.5 oz. Tariquet VSOP Armagnac
•1 oz. Amaro Lucano
•2 dashes Green Chartreuse
•.5 oz. simple syrup
•star anise
•orange peel
Directions:
Stir all ingredients with ice and serve in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with star anise and orange peel.
“The Targaryen”
by Ryan Judson, Brand Ambassador, Usquaebach Blended Scotch Whisky
With a base of Usquaebach whisky, the name of which translates to “the water of life,” this satisfying mixture of ‘blonde’ ingredients reflects the Targaryen prosperous bloodline.
Ingredients:
•2 oz Usquaebach Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
•5 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
•5 oz black tea – honey syrup (1 part raw honey, 1 part black tea)
•1 Dash aromatic bitters
•Lemon peel
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and stir with ice. Strain into rocks glass over large ice cube. Garnish with lemon peel.
Not a cocktail lover? Check out Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Game of Thrones-inspired wine pairing.
“The White Walker”
Ice cold and eerily foggy, the haunting cocktail’s blue tint from the London No. 1 gin channels the piercing eyes of the creatures beyond the wall.
Ingredients:
•2 oz London No. 1 Gin
•.5 oz Triple Sec
•.5 oz Fresh lemon juice
•1 egg white
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
“Blood of the Dragon”
by Emmanuel Pena, Domaine Select Wine & Spirits
Sweet, yet herbal, this warming punch recipe for 20 thirsty Thrones fans is sure to get the watch party off on the right foot. Like Daenerys, it’s seductive yet dangerous; a few too many glasses and you may just find yourself attempting to bond with mythical creatures.
Ingredients:
•1 750mL bottle Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva rum
•15 oz of lemon Juice
•10 oz rosemary & thyme simple syrup (Combine 2 parts white sugar, 1 part water, 1 sprig of thyme, 1 sprig of rosemary in large bot and bring to a boil. Let stand until cool)
•5 oz of honey
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl with ice. Ladle into punch glasses. Garnish each glass with sprigs of rosemary and thyme.
Prefer beer? Check out Ommegang’s Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Ale.
“Pay Your Debts”
Elegant and sophisticated, yet surprising stout (this cocktail is made entirely of boozy ingredients), this is a drink well suited for a Lannister, and Lannister always pays his debts.
Ingredients:
•1.5 oz. G’Vine Floraison gin
•1 oz. Vermouth Royal Rouge
•3 dashes Fernet Branca
•orange twist
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and stir with ice. Strain into a classic martini glass. Garnish with orange twist.
“The Red Comet”
Fizzy and light red in color, “The Red Comet” channels its namesake in appearance and in theme. With a base of the “legendary biru”, this cocktail, much like the Red Comet of the show, is a sign of epic things to come (though admittedly, a high-octane night with friends is a much more favorable prophecy than the impending danger of dragons)Â
Ingredients:
• 1 bottle Sapporo light beer
•.5 oz. Vodka
•.5 oz Campari
•Orange slice
Directions:
Pour vodka and Campari in glass over ice. Top off glass with Sapporo light. Garnish with an orange slice.
