Coming this week is 4th May or, in America, May 4th (as in “May the 4th Be With You”), which makes it Star Wars Day. As such, I am creating some companion cocktails for each of the seven films. Today, we’re watching/drinking to Episode III.
EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
Things go from bad to worse for Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi, and Democracy in the Galaxy…
The Wookiee
In Episode III, we are taken to the Wookiees’ homeworld of Kashyyyk. This cocktail was inspired by the mighty, feisty, and loyal Wookiees and their forest-covered planet.
Recipe
50ml Oat-infused Brandy*, 120ml Cloudy Apple Juice
Add to ingredients to an ice filled glass and stir. Garnish with three fanned slices of ginger root.
*Infuse 50ml of brandy with 1 tsp of oats and 1/2 tsp of grated ginger root for 5 mins. Strain before using.
Dry ginger on the nose, then a delicious, smooth, lightweight fruitiness: it has an almost tropical, but not too sweet flavour, reminiscent of coconut water. This fades to a more creamy, tart flavour of cloudy apple juice and a softness from the oats. The warmth of ginger and woody cinnamon increase on the finish, leaving me craving apple crumble.
The Emperor Palpatine
From Senator to Supreme Chancellor to Emperor, Palpatine is the Francis Urquhart/Underwood of the Galaxy. This drink is a variation on the Emperor Cocktail (with Unicum) from the excellent Kindred Cocktails.
Recipe
30ml Campari, 20ml Red Vermouth, 5ml Orange Curacao
Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
From the moment you bring the glass towards you, there is a strong nose of orange and sweet red fruit. The initial taste has a smooth, regal nature to it, full of silky flavours from the red vermouth, but the palate is quickly absorbed by a rich bitterness from the Campari, highlighted by hints of bitter orange. A perfect fit for this cocktail’s namesake.
The Mustafar
For the final cocktail of Episode III, we take some inspiration from the fiery, Outer Rim planet of Mustafar.
Recipe
30ml Chilli Vodka (I think the St. George Spirits’ Green Chile Vodka is the best that money can buy), 10ml Smoked Vodka (optional), 60ml Carrot & Orange Juice
Add to an iced glass and gently stir. Garnish with chilli flakes and a small red chilli.
Rich, warm, genuine notes of chilli, swiftly followed by creamy, savoury notes of carrot and then the fresher, brighter notes of orange juice; neither of the latter are too strong, though, so it stays both savoury (and slightly reminiscent of soup) and refreshing. The chilli returns on the finish, along with a hint of charred smokiness. A delicious twist on a Bloody Mary that works extremely – if surprisingly – well.
Summer Fruit Cup 