The Howler | Harry Potter Inspired Cocktails
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What’s Up, Hungry People
RONALD WEASLEY. HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR!
I can’t believe this is my FIFTH year doing a Harry Potter-themed week here on my blog. There are many more magical recipes to come, so be sure to check back every day between now and July 31st as I post new delicious concoctions. This year, everyone at Hogwarts NEEDS a stiff drink.
We continue our magical foodie journey through the halls of Hogwarts by meeting up with Ron and Harry, shortly after the owl post has arrived during their second year of school.
Unfortunately for Ron, a little red envelope has caught the attention of the entire Great Hall…
Ron and Harry were certainly derserving of several Howlers throughout their years at Hogwarts – I’m honestly surprised this was the only one (that we saw, at least).
In the books, Ron recieves a Howler from his mother after he and Harry drove Arthur Weasley’s flying car into the Whomping Willow at Hogwarts when the magical portal between Platform 9 3/4 and the Hogwarts Expressed was closed (by Dobby, though Harry doesn’t know this at the time).
Howlers are magical, enchanted envelopes that contain the voice of the sender magnified at a high volume. If left unopened for too long, they’ll eventually explode.
Like a Howler, the cocktail version is just as loud and packs quite a punch. It’s sweet and tangy, like Molly Weasley herself.
Sometimes I wish we could send Howlers in real life – though I suppose if you have enough of the cocktail version for Muggles, you might turn into a Howler yourself.
My Muggle-friendly cocktail version is very sour with some help from limoncello, lemon vodka, and lemonade. The bright red color comes from sweet cranberry juice – a splash is enough! Then the whole thing is topped off with tonic water until it is gently sparkling.
I’d like to imagine that Molly Weasley would concoct one or two of these for herself and Arthur Weasley on a quiet night after the war was over and all the kids had moved on from the Burrow. Even though the inspiration for these drinks is based on something loud, the drink itself is perfect for sipping on while reminiscing on the past.
I’ve definitely wanted to send out a few Howlers myself – that’s why I needed a few good Harry Potter-themed recipes to help me forget the woes of the Muggle world.
Here’s What You Need:
- Cranberry juice: Adds a sweet and tart flavor with a vibrant red color.
- Limoncello: Provides a strong lemon flavor with a touch of sweetness.
- Lemon vodka: Enhances the citrusy profile with a kick.
- Lemonade: Balances the sour elements with a refreshing sweetness.
- Tonic water: Adds a bubbly, slightly bitter finish.
Let’s Make Some Magic
In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake together the cranberry juice, limoncello, and lemon vodka until the mixture is bright red and thoroughly chilled.
This step is key to blending the flavors smoothly and ensuring a vibrant color.
Pour and Top Off
Next, pour the contents of the cocktail shaker into two glasses. To get that perfect balance, make sure each glass gets an equal share of the mixture.
Once poured, top each glass off with chilled lemonade and tonic water. The lemonade adds a sweet, citrusy touch while the tonic water gives it a gentle sparkle.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Chilling the Lemonade and Tonic Water: Make sure both are well-chilled before adding to the cocktail to maintain the drink’s refreshing coolness.
- Balancing Sweetness and Tartness: If you find the drink too tart, add a bit more lemonade. If it’s too sweet, a splash more tonic water will do the trick.
- Serving Glasses: Use clear glasses to showcase the bright red color of the cocktail, making it visually appealing.
- Making Ahead: You can prepare the cranberry, limoncello, and lemon vodka mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Add the lemonade and tonic water just before serving.
- Alcohol-Free Version: For a non-alcoholic option, substitute the limoncello and lemon vodka with lemon-flavored soda or lemon syrup.
- Add Dry Ice: Add some ‘explosive’ elements and drop in a cube of dry ice to really get the red drink ‘smoking’!
This vibrant, tangy drink is sure to bring a bit of Hogwarts magic to your Muggle gatherings. Whether you’re reminiscing about your favorite Harry Potter moments or just need a fun drink to lighten the mood, this cocktail has got you covered.
It’s been a blast sharing another magical recipe with you, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Got any requests for future Harry Potter-themed drinks? Drop them in the comments below. Cheers to another year of enchanting concoctions and magical adventures, Hungry People!
The Howler | Harry Potter Inspired Cocktails
Ingredients
- 6 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz limoncello
- 1 oz lemon vodka
- 4 oz lemonade chilled
- 4 oz tonic water chilled
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake together the cranberry juice, limoncello, and lemon vodka until the mixture is bright red and chilled.
- Pour the contents of the cocktail shaker into two glasses and top each glass off with the chilled lemonade and tonic water. Enjoy!
