Cassandra Reeder - The Geeky Chef Drinks: Unofficial Cocktail Recipes from Game of Thrones, Legend of Zelda, Star Trek, and More

Unofficial Cocktail Recipes from Game of Thrones, Legend of Zelda, Star Trek, and MoreCassandra Reeder, The Geeky Chef Since, well, birth, but more publicly since I started The Geeky Chef in 2008, my passion project has been making recipes for fictional or unusual foods from books, TV, movies, and games. I dont know if its the tendency of us writers to, well, lets say, have a disposition towards alcoholism, but a whole lot of these foods tend to be alcoholic beverages. Enough to fill a whole book of their own. This book, actually. The bad news is: Im not a mixologist. Im not Guinan or Quark.

Im definitely not Sam Malone. Im not even Tom Cruise, though I am his height and much less likely to sue you. That being said, I have had some practice at drink-making over the years as The Geeky Chef. I actually learned a lot just making this book. So, the good news is: If I can learn to make a decent cocktail, you absolutely can, too! These are cocktails for geeky laymen by a geeky lay man.

I will try to keep things as simple as possible, but I do recommend these five things: 1 Get a cocktail shaker. I cannot stress this one enough: The use of a cocktail shaker can improve a cocktail by approximately 1,000 percent! Mixing glasses can be sort of improvised, but the mystical effects of a cocktail shaker cant be understated. I will try to keep things as simple as possible, but I do recommend these five things: 1 Get a cocktail shaker. I cannot stress this one enough: The use of a cocktail shaker can improve a cocktail by approximately 1,000 percent! Mixing glasses can be sort of improvised, but the mystical effects of a cocktail shaker cant be understated.

Theres a reason James Bond likes his martinis shaken 2 Embrace the bitters. Outside of the bartending world, unsavvy folks like you and me may not understand the power and appeal of bitters. Im here to tell you, they are like the seasoning of drinks, the final incantation that makes the potion fully effective. Dont be afraid of the bitter in the name; most of them arent even particularly bitter. Theyre called bitters because the essence of their flavor is distilled from their ingredients, sort of like The Force being distilled into a sprinkle-ready bottle. 3 Use simple syrups. This is the best way to sweeten a cocktail, period. 4 Adjust ratios to your liking! If you like a stiff drink, bump up the alcohol or reduce the mixers. 4 Adjust ratios to your liking! If you like a stiff drink, bump up the alcohol or reduce the mixers.

If you like a mellower drink, lower the alcohol amounts and/or increase the non-alcoholic ingredients. If you like a sweeter drink, just increase the amount of syrup, soda, or juice. Despite what some may have you believe, crafting cocktails is not an objective science. You wont have Professor Snape slapping your hand if you dont add exactly three drops of dragon blood while stirring counterclockwise for five and a half turns, I promise. 5 Buy like the smarty-pants nerd you are. Unlike my previous books, I couldnt completely avoid expensive or unusual ingredients. Alcohol is just not cheap.

I did avoid naming specific brands whenever possible, but sometimes I had to cite specific products for their unique color, flavor, or effects. My advice is, buy the stuff you like in bulk at warehouse clubs, and if youre not sure youre going to like it, buy the little mini bottles. Those little guys usually run to $1 to $4 for about 50 ml of liquidand they make great potion bottles later!

Its all in the name. Simple syrups are just that: simple. Simple to make, simple to use, and once you get the hang of them you can easily make your own magical concoctions. STERILIZING TIP Its best to store simple syrups in airtight, sterilized storage containers (a thick glass bottle or jar with a lid works best). STERILIZING TIP Its best to store simple syrups in airtight, sterilized storage containers (a thick glass bottle or jar with a lid works best).

The easiest way to do this is to use the dishwashers high temperature setting. No dishwasher? Here are some instructions on how to sterilize heat-resistant glassware: Place the glass container(s) right side up in a canner or a deep pot with a rack at the bottom. Fill the canner or pot with water until it is 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the container(s). Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and continue to boil for approximately 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and keep the container(s) in the hot water until youre ready to fill with syrup.

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar1 cup (235 ml) water In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar1 cup (235 ml) water In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water.

Bring to a boil and cook over a medium heat, stirring regularly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight storage container.

There are basically two ways to make fruit syrups: you can begin with either fresh fruit or fruit juice. You can substitute different kinds of fruit in the blueberry syrup for a different flavor, although berries work best. I like raspberries and strawberries myself.