The Pairing
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
The Reasoning
I had several ideas for possible Witcher cocktails… thankfully there are several books, so I’m sure I’ll eventually get to try them all out. First up, having read the novels about a decade ago (or rather, the books and fan translations that were available at the time) and played the games, I have always been very firmly on Team Yen. As fans will know, Yennefer’s scent is always described as lilac and gooseberries, and I wanted a drink that captured those flavors. Unfortunately lilac flavoring/syrup isn’t very easy to obtain, but its flavor profile is similar to rose and vanilla, so that’s what I’ve gone with here. Work with what you got, I say! 😀
The Recipe
You will need:
- Margarita or Coupe Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Ice
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 tbsp Gooseberry Preserves
- 1 tsp Rose Syrup
- 2 Drops Vanilla Extract
- Sparkling White Wine (Dry)
- 1 Sprig Lavender as Garnish (optional)
Take your cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Add Gin, Rose Syrup, Vanilla, and Gooseberry Preserves, and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Strain into your glass. Top off with sparkling wine and add lavender as garnish. Enjoy, and be careful not to fall off your unicorn. 😉
