ON THE GRAPEVINE
If you’ve got a taste for the darker side of life, new book Spirits Of The Otherworld: A Grimoire Of Occult Cocktails & Drinking Rituals, is all about the spiritual arts in a glass. We’ve spirited three of its enchanting recipes away for you to try...
Major Arcana - Grand Etteilla: Tarot and Cartomancy
Imbibe this liquid tribute to the tarot’s early northern Italian roots and divine your future.
INGREDIENTS: 30ml sweet vermouth: Carpano Antica Formula, 15ml Italicus Bergamot, 15ml Campari, 45ml prosecco, lemon twist Stir all ingredients - except prosecco - with cubed ice in a mixing tin for 15 seconds. Julep-strain into a flute glass, top with prosecco and garnish.
Hunting the Lyon Greene - George Ripley and the Elixir of Life
Developed based on a secret manuscript from 1605, this ‘elixir for long life’ calls upon the hidden properties of an additional 130 natural botanicals.
INGREDIENTS: 45ml dry gin: Masons of Yorkshire, 15ml gentian liqueur: Chartreuse La Gentiane Aperitif Des Peres Chartreux, 5 dashes Chartreuse Elixir Vegetal, 2 dashes absinthe: Devil’s Botany, 20ml lime juice. Shake all ingredients with cubed ice. Double-strain into a glass.
The Last Druid - Merlin: The Highland Seer of Scotland
The story of Merlin is said to have been inspired by a ‘wild man’ who lived in the forests of Scotland during the sixth century - the last Druid. By the late Middle Ages, malted barley was being distilled by monks into an early form of whisky. Thus, for the great Highland Seer, a true Highland whisky is vital.
INGREDIENTS: 45ml Highland single malt Scotch whisky: Glengoyne 12-Year-Old, 15ml sweet vermouth: Antica Formula Carpano, 15ml wild elderberry liqueur: Aelder Elixir, 2 dashes absinthe: Loch Ness Spirits, 1 maraschino cherry to garnish.
Stir all ingredients with cubed ice in a mixing tin for 60 seconds. Julep-strain into a coupe glass and garnish.
Extracted from Spirits Of The Otherworld: A Grimoire Of Occult Cocktails & Drinking Rituals by Allison Crawbuck and Rhys Everett, published by Prestel, £14.99. Available now