As our popular book ‘Remarkable Inns & Their Drinks’ notes, “Taverns offer comforting drinks and food to soothe battle pains and escape the drudgery of a hard day’s work. But a tavern isn’t just about a mug of grog.
If your adventuring party is going on a pub crawl or kipping down after a tough fight, you’ll want to make sure the drink menu suits the scene well. Here’s a selection of drinks pulled from the pages of “Remarkable Inns” – complete with homespun recipes (or create your own!) in case you fancy bringing a realistic touch to the gaming table!
Source: Absolut
Nighttime Breeze (1sp)
A mix of black currants and honey that keeps this dark drink a tavern classic
Line the bottom of a rocks glass with muddled black currants and add crushed ice. Add ½ part black currant liqueur with 1 part white wine, ½ part aguardenteor or caninha and 1 teaspoon honey. Raspberry and/or mint leaves to garnish.
Non-alcoholic option: Replace wine and liqueur with a mixture of concord and white grape juice; omit bitters.
Traveler’s Bliss (3sp)
This hoppy, yet flavorsome drink soothes the sore throat you didn’t know you had, making the world a little brighter.
Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add 2 oz. bourbon, 2 dashes each of Angostura and orange bitters. Top with your favorite hard cider. Lemon to garnish. Mix if desired.
Non-alcoholic option: Mix ginger ale and apple cider, garnish with lemon and crystallized ginger.
Source: McCormick
Guava Ale (3sp/cup)
This light brew appears pink when poured and has a sweet, tangy aftertaste. It is brewed with a native root said to impart the icy chill of the northern lands. Refreshing on a hot day in the jungle, this is the drink of choice for locals.
Fill an ale glass 2/3 full with a fruit cider of your choice, and add ¼ cup of guava nectar.
Non-alcoholic option: Replace fruit cider with fizzy lemonade or apple soda.
Jazun Blue (3sp/bottle)
Cool and invigorating, this water tastes fresh and slightly minty. In darkness it reveals an enchanting blue glow.
Take a 12-20 oz. bottle of your favorite lemon-lime soda, chilled, and remove ¼ cup of the liquid, replacing it with ¼ cup blue curacao. Serve in the bottle or divide into rocks glasses filled with ice.
Non-alcoholic option: replace blue curaçao with blue raspberry soda or juice drink.
Bonus: Wild Mage
This drink isn’t featured in the book, but it’s my favorite go-to cocktail on game night.
Apply Ray of Frost to a tall glass (or, if you lack that ability, chill a tall glass in the freezer for at least 2 hours). Add equal parts lemon-lime or ginger ale soda and rum and at least ½ part blue curacao. Mix well. Garnish with orange slice and/or cherry if desired.