Winter is coming to Westeros and with that, there’s a mad scramble for the Iron Throne. With the untimely (but much deserved) death of King Joffrey last season, there’s a war brewing for the throne with every one of the houses vying for a piece.
Who really deserves to rule Westeros? Will “The Mother of Dragons” finally make her way across the Narrow Sea? Will the Oberyn’s Dorne allies avenge his death? Will Tyrion Lannister ever feel safe again? Will Hodor say anything besides “Hodor”?
The best way to enjoy the new season is with Game of Thrones inspired beers and cocktails. Brewery Ommegang, Svedka and One Hope Wines have summoned forth their mystical brewers and mixologists to created myriad libations to celebrate the return of the Khaleesi.
Brewery Ommegang
Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnered together to launch a series of beers inspired by the dram. The beers include Irone Throne (Blonde Ale), Fire and Blood (Red Ale brewed with Ancho chilies and rye), Take the Black Stout, Valar Morghulis (Dubbel Ale) and Three Eyed Raven (Dark Saison ale).
Sand Snake’s Revenge
Last season, Oberyn the “Red Viper” of Dorne met his untimely demise at the hands of the Mountain, breaking hearts across Westeros and beyond. This season, the daughters of Oberyn, known as the “Sand Snakes” will look to exact their revenge. It’s assumed that they won’t be as well-behaved as their father. This spicy cocktail is the perfect drink for fans of the venomous, Dorne contingent.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts SVEDKA Grapefruit Jalapeño
- 4 parts grapefruit juice
- 1 slice jalapeño
Directions:
Pour SVEDKA Grapefruit Jalapeño into a salt-rimmed rocks glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruit juice and stir. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño
Besos from Braavos
Braavos is a free city located on Essos, across the Narrow Sea from Westeros. It is arguably, the richest, most powerful of the free cities. This cocktail is like a kiss (I’m not sure if it’s a kiss of love or death) from the biggest city that has no allegiance to the crown. Like Arya Stark, this is the drink that you never saw coming. It was perfected in the House of Black and White and will most likely be served at Arya’s 21st birthday (if she manages to survive that long).
Ingredients:
- ONEHOPE Sparkling Brut
- 1 cup chilled vodka
- 1/2 cup Triple Sec
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 4 tbs fresh pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/4 cup fresh blackberries
Directions:
Combine chilled vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well and pour into chilled glasses. Garish with fresh pomegranate seeds and berries and top with ONEHOPE Sparkling Brut.
The Golden Twins
Cersei and Jaime Lannister are the “Golden Twins” of Westeros. Daughter and son of Tywin Lannister, the twins have a very, very close relationship and don’t really care for any of the other families of Westeros (especially the Starks). This drink will make the Lions of Lannister roar with the kind of pride not seen since before Aegon the Conqueror united the Seven Kingdoms. This bubbly cocktail presently reigns supreme on the Iron Throne.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces dark rum
- 3 ounces lemon juice
- 4 ounces thyme simple syrup (recipe below)
- 12 ounces apple cider
- 1 bottle (750ml) ONEHOPE Sparkling Wine
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Springs of thyme for garnish
Ingredients for Thyme Simple Syrup:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 10 sprigs thyme
Directions:
Combine sugar, water and 10 sprigs of thyme in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely (about 5 minutes).
Remove from heat and place the syrup in the refrigerator to cool (about 90 minutes).
Place all ingredients (except Sparkling wine) in a large pitcher or carafe.
Fill your glasses with crushed ice and fill 1/2 with mixture.
Top with Sparkling wine and serve with a few sprigs of thyme for garnish.
