Redheads are a big thing in comic books. Ashley Schmuecker’s list of her top ten ginger comic book heroines continues to be one of our most popular posts. While we’ve shared some other festive alcoholic creations (Colleen’s Megahex cocktail, Claire’s Ginger Beer, and Ginnis’ mulled wine), we decided to revisit Ashley’s list with some more themed drinks to get you through the holidays and carry you into the new year.
10. Black (Alley) Cat
The Alley Cat cocktail is simultaneously sweet and tart and can be a dangerous one depending on the heavy-handedness of your bartender:
1 Part Gin, I suggest Steinhäger like Garboil would drink
1 Part Passionfruit Liqueur
1 Part Sweet Vermouth
A splash of Violet Liqueur
Shake with ice like the Black Cat shaking down crime, and then strain out the sweet juice of justice into a cocktail glass. Sassy and glamorous like Linda Turner, I suggest adding a black cherry.
–Al Rosenberg
9. Woman in Red
While not quite red, the Paloma is a classic suitable for the first masked female crimefighter.
— Ginnis Tonik
8. Commander Winter
Since Commander Winter is a countess, I picture her drinking a really good red wine. I recommend indulging in a glass of one of my favorite wines, Brazin’s Old Vine Zinfandel. Red and rich as the blood she sheds. Maybe do it whilst wearing an eye-patch and steam-punk goggles atop your head.
— Ginnis
7. Poison Ivy’s Solitary Shrub (non-alcoholic)
I have some sort of feeling that Poison Ivy and alcohol don’t mix. I’m not a DC fan so if that’s wrong, just mix up a full-on cocktail with this once it’s done — recipes aplenty, only a search engine away.
A shrub is a sweet-sour fruit liquid; it’s basically equal parts sugar, white vinegar, and fruit, left to dissolve and meld together. I am head over heels for them (I’ve always been a vinegar fan), and they go in mixed drinks with lemonade, soda water, or just plain water for a bracing refreshment. I like to drink them off the spoon, personally, but if that’s too far for you, then a shrub also serves for a painfully delicious salad dressing. Ivy would appreciate the clear flavour of the fruit and the bite of the vinegar, I think. Shrubs are a little old fashioned, coming back into style — they’ve got that wilted 30’s glamour.
My current favourite is raspberry: pick your own favourite fruit when it’s in season and preserve the taste for year-round enjoyment:
- 1/2 cup whole berries or chopped fruit (if your berries are hard, muddle them to break the skins)
- 1/2 cup sugar (white is good with anything, but brown can enhance certain flavours; make up your own mind)
- 1/2 cup vinegar (distilled malt is fine, spiced pickling vinegar is great, cider or white wine vinegar are delightful… maybe balsamic with a dark fruit, etc., etc. Use what you can find!)
- Add herbs or other extra flavours if you fancy it! This recipe suggests thyme, for example.
Place all the ingredients into a suitable container (a sterilised glass jar? a cooking jug? Use what you have). Leave them in a cupboard for at least three days. Strain. Done!
— Claire Napier
6. The Hipster Batgirl
Makes me think of the hipster special in Philly: a tall boy of PBR and a shot of well whiskey.
— Laura Harcourt
5. Tigra
This aptly named Striped Bengal Tiger cocktail could not be more perfect for Tigra:
- 2 oz. vodka
- 5 oz. fresh squeezed orange juice
- black licorice twist
If licorice isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other spins on the Bengal Tiger cocktail here.
— Claire
4. Mystique
There is this recipe for a “Seersucker:”
- 2 oz Flor de Caña white rum Flor de Caña Gold 4
- 1/2 oz cinnamon bark syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice
I think that it could be an excellent Mystique cuz it LOOKS fruity. But, it is spicy!
— Lela Gwenn
3. Batwoman
What’s more perfect for Batwoman than a cocktail named The Red and the Black? It’s strawberries and tequila with black pepper. This may help you handle DCS’s continued craptastic handling of one the most awesome queer superheroes out there.
— Ginnis
2. Red Sonja’s Red Splash
We all know the Red Devil loves her wine, but after a hard quest, I think the innkeeper who includes a kick of tequila might win the lady’s heart:
- 1½ oz.tequila, preferably silver grade
- 1½ oz. pinot noir
- ½ lime juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- 2 oz. grapefruit soda
Combine ingredients and shake. Serve in a non-breakable goblet over ice. Hey, you never know when a bar fight might break out and Red Sonya is no shrinking violet.
— Brenda Noiseaux
1. Dark Phoenix
Dark Phoenix makes me think of a Dark & Stormy, but finished with a touch of grenadine for color:
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- dash of grenadine
— Lela
