The Battle for Azeroth is in full swing, so I’ve put together this light, refreshing champagne cocktail designed with the latest addition to the Wrynn family line of Stormwind royalty in mind: Anduin Wrynn.
You’ll need:
- 3 oz sparkling white wine
- 1/2 oz cognac
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
- Blueberries (optional)
Method
- Add the cognac, lemon juice and elderflower liqueur to a cocktail shaker without ice.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour into a champagne flute.
- Top with chilled sparkling white wine.
- Garnish with blueberries (optional).
- Serve!
“Sometimes, even the most skilled peacemakers require some assistance from the best vintages of Suramar to lubricate diplomatic relations.” — Anduin Wrynn, King of Stormwind
Slightly sweet, aromatic and refreshing, the Anduin Wrynn is perfect for a celebration, an after-dinner conversation or a brunch out in the sun.
Looking for more World of Warcraft cocktails? Try a drink inspired by Thrall, the Bronzebeards or the Tauren—or one of the Anduin Wrynn variations below!
Variations
Blueblood
Replace the elderflower liqueur with blue curacao
Wrynfall
Replace the brandy with whisky
Childking
Replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower cordial, remove the brandy and replace the sparkling wine with sparkling grape juice.
Why these ingredients?
Anduin might be the youngest of the faction leaders at a mere 19 years old—but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t like a drink now and then… even if he is technically a priest.
Hell, you try leading an entire faction of pissed off humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, werewolves, the occasional panda-man (and the whole cavalcade of other insane creatures now joining in the Battle for Azeroth) without a stiff beverage now and then.
And while he might be young, Anduin has already shown to have the makings of a great king, preferring diplomacy where possible, but more than capable of holding his own in a fight when necessary.
Combine this personality with his royal heritage, and it seems obvious that any drink that bears his name should have wide appeal, a decent level of potency and an air of sophistication that would make it suitable for even the most discerning of royals to sip after a long day.
Sparkling white wine
What better way to represent royal blood than with the fanciest drink in the world, champagne?
If at all possible, try to use a real genuine champagne, brut in style—this will ensure the cocktail doesn’t dip too far into the sweet end after the addition of the elderflower liqueur.
However, if that’s too much of a pain to get or too damaging to your bank balance, sparkling white wine will also work.
Cognac
Anduin might be new to the throne, but he doesn’t lack potency, leading the Alliance both in negotiations and in the battlefield.
While you don’t have to add the cognac to this drink for it to be extremely sippable, the added spice and alcohol kick of the brandy helps to drive home that this isn’t just a one-and-done, short-lived cocktail experience; it’s got more than enough depth to stay interesting after the first try; hopefully much like Anduin himself.
Elderflower liqueur and lemon juice
I’ve heard elderflower liqueur being referred to as “bartender’s ketchup”: you can add it to pretty much anything and it’ll still taste good.
It might just be my love of St. Germain talking, but I agree with that sentiment. But elderflower liqueur has a lot more to offer than just general flavoursomeness: it helps to accentuate the natural aromatic nature of the champagne, bringing that crisp brightness closer to the surface.
Ease the sweetness back and accentuate the bright acidic notes even further with the addition of lemon juice, and you’ve got a well-balanced cocktail.
I hope you enjoy sipping on the Anduin Wrynn during your next raid on the Horde capital! For more video game cocktails, check out the rest of my recent recipes here.