This recipe hails from the world of Prythian, in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorn and Roses (ACOTAR). I first read the series several years ago, but have been enjoying her other novels over the past year. And given that the third book in her Crescent City series drops later this month, I knew I had to revisit Prythian, from the creativity of my own kitchen.
There isn’t a great deal of food actually described in Maas’s book. So I started where I always like to: desserts and drinks. And what better way to explore the latter than with some themed drinks? For a cocktail representing the darkly mysterious and seductive Night Court, I wanted to start with some dark fruits, like blackcurrants, and I always like the idea of a little absinthe, too. Maybe it’s a little punny, but I felt like leaning into the addition of a green fairy to a drink representing the fictional fae.
When I searched the local liquor store for Cassis, the only one in stock was unexpectedly a local one, from Putney Mountain Winery. I couldn’t be happier-It’s made with blackcurrant, blueberry, and raspberry, and so delicious that I occasionally have a little glass of it as a nightcap. And it was a perfect starting point from which to build a cocktail recipe worthy of the Court of Dreams.
I asked my good friend Chris (who has a prodigious knowledge of some truly inspired mixology stored in his head) for suggestions on what could be done with both cassis and absinthe. He suggested making a riff on a Cazador, which is usually made with rum. I subbed in some brandy in place of the rum, since the bat boys are always quaffing whiskey and the like.
The finished drink is smooth, decadent, fruity, and subtle. I can vouch that it’s entirely too easy to drink, and believe me when I tell you that several servings went missing throughout the course of trying to get a great photo. It’s one of my new favorite mixes, and one that I expect will definitely contribute to my efforts to make it through this winter.
I’m hoping this can be the first in a series of ACOTAR (and other Sarah J Maas) cocktails, so keep an eye out for those over on Patreon a bit early, and then here!
In the meantime, I’ll raise a glass to you all: “To the stars who listen, and the dreams that are answered…”
Recipe for Night Court Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. brandy
- 1 oz. cassis
- 1/2 oz. maple syrup
- dash of absinthe
- dash of lime juice
- edible star glitter (I used this) for the rim of the glass
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with a few ice cubes and give a few good shakes to combine. Pour into a highball or other decorative glass, and enjoy.
For an added dash of pizazz, drop a small chunk of dry ice into the glass before serving. Be sure to let the dry ice melt completely before enjoying the cocktail. I always want to do this, but haven’t yet sourced any here.
Mocktail Variant: Use a fruit juice, like apple or grape, in place of the brandy a blackcurrant syrup like Ribena in place of the cassis, and the tiniest portion of a licorice flavoring. You may also wish to decrease the amount of maple syrup, to taste.
Not sure where you live but if one is anywhere near Cincinnati, Ohio, one can find every kind of liquor and beer at the store called Jungle Jim’s. Sadly they do not ship. I got cassis there in their liquor section. And when it comes to exotice ingredients of all sorts you are in luck. Meats, cheeses, candies, seafood, you name it. They actually do, or at least did, have real wild boar in the frozen meats.