For a special extended episode, we’re sharing three usually Patreon-exclusive recipes from the full Unofficial Witcher Cocktail Book: Swallow, Cat and Tawny Owl.
“Within these pages, I have noted my observations on the invention, creation and consumption of Witcher potions, as well as some notes direct from the source of much of this knowledge, Witcher Alfabus himself. His insights were invaluable in understanding this rough-and-tumble style of alchemy.
Considering I am unable to consume his potions myself for fear of horrid death, his explanations on their effects and flavours are, to my knowledge, unique to the descriptions laid out in this short guide.”
– Master Alchemist Dyran Vardenvert, The Unofficial Witcher Cocktail Book
With the Witcher universe now boasting books, games and a highly successful TV show, people from all over are wondering what exactly it is in those little bottles Geralt is chugging – and where can they get some?!
Wonder no more. In this extended episode/article, we’re taking 3 recipes from our dedicated (though unofficial) Witcher cocktail book and showing you how to convert these usually toxic beverages into tasty, real-life, definitely-not-deadly cocktails.
Swallow Recipe
Swallow is the “healing potion” of the Witcher universe – though it’s effects are more regenerative than restorative. For an instant hit of health, you have to make White Raffard’s Decoction (a version I’ve made in the full recipe book).
The original recipe has drowner brains as a key ingredient, which we call to with the admittedly strange addition of fish sauce. Its brinyness pairs beautifully with what is a grenadine-infused margarita variation.
Ingredients
- 2oz (60ml) tequila blanco
- 0.5oz (15ml) Cointreau
- 0.25oz (10ml) grenadine
- 0.5oz (15ml) lime juice
- 1 dash fish sauce
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake briskly to chill. Strain into your chosen vessel. Garnish with a lemon or orange peel. Serve!
Cat Recipe
Cat allows Witchers to hunt, track and fight in the dark as though it were full daylight. The original recipe from The Witcher 3 includes berbercane fruit, very similar to berberis vulgaris, a real-life fruit also known as barberry.
Unfortunately, it’s not the most pleasant addition to a cocktail, so I substituted it for another red fruit: cherry, in the form of maraschino liqueur. This has the added benefit of not spoiling the gorgeous green colour from the Midori.
Ingredients
- 0.75oz (20ml) gin
- 0.75oz (20ml) lime juice
- 0.75oz (20ml) maraschino liqueur
- 0.75oz (20ml) Midori
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly to chill. Strain into your vessel. Garnish with a lime peel. Serve!
Tawny Owl Recipe
Tawny Owl is the stamina-enhancing potion for Witchers – no, not that kind of stamina. It gives them more use of their signs and more uses of their advanced sword abilities as well.
The in-game recipe calls for verbena, a white flower with purple edges – likely the reason for its purple colour. We use creme de violette to provide the expected florality as well as the hue.
Ingredients
- 1oz (30ml) gin
- 0.75oz (20ml) creme de violette
- Lemonade to top
Add all ingredients to your vessel, filled with ice. Stir lightly to combine. Garnish with an edible flower. Add a straw. Serve!
If you want to keep seeing video-game-inspired cocktails and get a hold of some exclusive recipes, head on over to Experience Bar’s Patreon page and consider slinging me a credit or two. You help keep this blog going!
