I swear, September is holding on for as long as it can. I’m already talking about trying to get through October, and my boyfriend helpfully reminded me that October hasn’t even started.
So in short, I’d like a drink, please.
And I’m so excited to talk to you about the book we’re featuring this month: The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy by Andy Heidel.
Some background: Heidel is the owner of The Way Station, a steampunk, all-nerds-welcome bar in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve never been, but I immediately added it to my New York travel list. I have lists for all sorts of places and to be honest, they’re mostly food establishments.
The book is organized by scifi/fantasy fandom. Some sections have only one themed drink, while others have enough to throw a theme party with plenty of libations. My boyfriend is a huge Star Wars fan and he went nuts over the Star Wars section. Plus, the book features artwork throughout in shades of pink, gray, red, and black. I highly recommend taking a look at the table of contents!
The drink I selected (and it was a tough choice) was the Divinian, the only drink inspired by The Fifth Element.
Now, The Fifth Element ( A ) is one of my favorite movies, if not THE favorite. I own it on DVD and I’ll always watch it when it’s on TV. My dream one day is to be comfortable enough in my own skin to wear Leelo’s half shirt, khaki pants, and orange rubber suspenders.
I was hesitant about the drink because I hate olives and it contains olive brine, but with a mix of other flavors, the brine adds an interesting saltiness to the bite of gin, the sweetness from the St-Germain, and the tart citrus of the lime. The description in the book describes the flavor profile as umami and I’d agree. It’s unlike any cocktail I’ve had before!
As a bonus, St. Martin’s Griffin has proved a copy for us to giveaway!
Shopping list:
Gin
Elderflower liqueur
Jar of olives in brine
Lime
Proportions:
1 part gin
1 teaspoon of St-Germain or other elderflower liqueur
1 teaspoon of olive brine (from your jar of queen stuffed olives)
1 teaspoon of lime juice
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a glass with ice.
- Stir! No shaking in this one!
- Strain into a glass of your choice. The fancier the better!
Modifications and notes:
- Heidel recommends using Comb 9 gin, but I couldn’t find it in a smaller sized bottle. Sorry, Andy! I went with the gin I’ve used previously for my gin & tonics.
- Olives are optional for garnish! Mainly I’m saying this because I hate them. I will not subject you to olives if you’re like me.
- Just an additional note that this book is incredibly fun and it was really tough to choose what to make. My backup choice was Degoba Swamp Juice, which is a cocktail that makes use of one of my favorite liqueurs: Midori.
As a bonus, we also have the illustration featured on the Divinian’s recipe page! Check that out – how cool is that glass?
Credit for the illustration goes to Elizabeth Daggar.
Now on to the giveaway! As I stated earlier, we have one (1) copy to giveaway. To enter, let me know which science fiction or fantasy fandom you think deserves a custom cocktail.
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18. Please show us your multi-pass to confirm. It’s not necessary to have a crush on Bruce Willis, but I know I sure do. I recommend pouring one out for Gary Oldman’s awful haircut as well. Comments will close Sunday October 1, 2017 around noon EDT, and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
Good luck to everyone!
Winner Update: Congratulations to Granea! Please check your email shortly!
A big thank you to all the participants and, if you’re interested in the book, many of the fandoms you’ve mentioned are featured!
Star trek! Wait, Firefly. Or Battle star Galactica. Oh, Dr. Who! Siigh, ok, all of them do…
Is there a fandom for Tank Girl? Cuz that is totally my cocktail.
My first inclination was a Harry Potter themed drink, but I know there are lots of those out there, so instead I’ll go with an Outlander themed drink. Bring on the whiskey.
Something spoilery from the end of the latest Game of Thrones season would make a fun cocktail… (think blue)
Farscape!
How about Red Dwarf?
Labryinth, because you know THAT cocktail would be amazing af and probably glittery to boot.
The wait has paid off! I am no longer pregnant and have all ingredients at home so I can try that thing. Now to pick a time between nursing sessions and I’ll make a micro version of the cocktail.
I didn’t see the giveaway: I’d love to see some recipes for drinks inspired by McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series.
Oooo, awesome! I think cocktails for Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series would be great.
Star Wars, and more specifically a Princess Leia drink.
I’ve been reading Sarah Beth Durst’s Queens of Renthia series, but I would be scared to drink anything with all the poison floating around!
Two choices: Kate Daniels Magic Bites et al,or Rebecca Zanetti The Scorpius Syndrome Series or (uh oh – three choices) Realm Enforcers.
For Kate, something foraged/infused; for Scorpius, it must be neon green or blue, maybe with a glow stick stirrer; and for realm, a bit witchy, apple jack, Irish, etc.
I just saw the Queen of Outer Space (1958) with Zsa Zsa Gabor – bonkers and sexist, but so perfect for a weird Man Men in space type cocktail 🙂
Primeval and Stargate SG1
Saga for sure.
A small but select fandom for the Hinky Chicago fantasy series has acclaimed this already-debuted cocktail.
THE SMOKING PIGEON
2 parts vodka
1 part blue curacao
5 drops absinthe
small chunk dry ice
candy cigarette
Make and serve at the table. All the fun is in the assmebly.
Pour the vodka into a chilled martini glass. Pour the curacao after it, carefully–the blue will sink to the bottom, below the vodka.
Add 5 drops of absinthe, which turns green and swirls down through the vodka to the blue layer.
Insert candy cigarette.
Add a chunk of dry ice small enough to fit on a teaspoon. This immediately causes the drink to boil, mixing the ingredients, and creating a cold “smoke” that spills over the edge of the glass.
Drink carefully. Don’t eat the dry ice.
Labyrinth or Firefly!
I’d love a cocktail in honor of Anne McCaffery’s Dragonriders of Pern. But I bet all the pages of this book are fun.
When my kids were younger we acquired a cookbook of Star Wars themed recipes. I’ve always loved the recipe for Yoda Soda. A great name and a pretty good virgin cocktail, if recall correctly.
Dr. Who! I want to drink a timey-wimey inspired cocktail.
Something klah based from the Dragonriders of Pern series. It would be cinnamony & vaguely coffeeish. The only universal in Anne McCaffrey’s ouvre is that coffee only grows on Earth. It’s impossible to cultivate any where else in the universe.
Firefly, 100%.
Bujold’s Vorkosigan series instantly sprang to mind
Oooh, Firefly for sure!!! I bet there’s already a few out there, but what about a pair? One with whisky for the rough and tumble colonies, and one with vodka for the “civilized” inner worlds?
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, and it should have watermelon involved somehow, even if just as a garnish.
My favorite Sci-fi series is the Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. I’d imagine a frosty blue drink that’s strong and sweet would go great with these wonderful books!!
The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, so many options from sparklewine to potent cider to combine into a delicious cocktail. Fantasy choice would be Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, something glowy.
Buffy, because I have to believe in 2017 that the Bronze would be serving cocktails by now….
Kushiel’s Dart for sure! They already have joie an elder flower booze… but so many possibilities!
The Soulless series by Gail Carriger! Maybe that bar in Brooklyn will think of something 🙂
Stardust by Neil Gaiman/the movie version! What do they drink in Faerie?
I am not the first person to say Buffy, but I would definitely like to know what high-octane-yet-pink-and-girlie cocktail Miss Buffy Summers would be a fan of. Also, something herbal for Willow. Cheers!
Babylon 5 in a series, Mercedes Thompson of Moon Called in books, maybe something reminiscent of chocolate chips since she baked cookies when stressed.
Anne Bishop’s Dark Jewel series – something magical and maybe bloody? Or dark and smooth with a bite like the men?
Not SciFi but I want some Discworld Cocktails! The Von Lipwig, The Lady Ramkin, Comander Vimes (Non alcoholic of course), Dark Clerk, A’Tuin, I could go on. Now I need to go stare at my bar and come up with some.
SciFi, ThuderBirds, I want a fluffy pink cocktail called the Lady Penelope
I’m with firefly too!
We once had a Mars party and made up Mars themed cocktails, with names like the Red Planet. This book sounds like it would inspire some fun parties. I’ll take the Star Wars and Doctor Who recipes please!
I would like one based on the Black Widow and one on Hawkeye. I like Ellen’s suggestions. Black Dagger Brotherhood and Midnight Breed would be good. A Charley Davidson based drink or drinks, since you would need one for Reyes. Oooh! Sherrilyn Kenyon books. Drinks for Acheron and Styxx and some of The League guys.
Aidee Ladnier’s (excellent) THE KLOCKWERK KRAKEN actually has bespoke drink recipes available, since T’eo is a bartender. Anyway, my mind immediately went to the Sesame Street Martians. Not sure what would be in the drink, but the straw would have Ping-Pong eyes on it and the glass would be covered in velour.
How about some drinks from Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz’s Harmony/Curtain World? Wonder what that green wine would taste like…