As we eagerly anticipate the release of Suzanne Collins’ latest novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,”, fans of The Hunger Games have a fresh reason to immerse themselves in the world of Panem. This new installment rekindles the fervor that once rivaled, and arguably surpassed, the Twilight phenomenon. To commemorate this literary event, why not indulge in a selection of Panem-inspired cocktails?
These creatively crafted drinks pay homage to the rich tapestry of characters and districts, providing the perfect accompaniment to your reading sessions or book club gatherings. Whether you’re toasting with the effervescent Effie Trinket or savoring the robust District 12 Delight, there’s a libation to suit every fan’s palate.
1. Nightlock’s Nemesis
Inspired by the deadly Nightlock berries, this cocktail offers a tantalizing blend of flavors that are as enticing as they are dangerous. A perfect choice for those who dare to taste the forbidden.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Camarena Silver Tequila
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- ½ oz. agave nectar
- 2 cucumber wheels
- 2 blackberries
- 2 oz. ginger ale
Instructions:
- Muddle cucumber and blackberries in a shaker.
- Add tequila, lemon juice, agave nectar, and ice.
- Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with ginger ale and stir.
- Garnish with a cucumber wheel.
2. Katniss’s Cherry Kiss
Inspired by the fierce spirit of Katniss Everdeen, the Katniss’s Cherry Kiss cocktail offers a bold blend of flavors that mirror the heroine’s fiery determination. This vibrant drink combines tart cherry notes with a hint of sweetness, capturing the essence of the Girl on Fire herself. It’s a perfect choice for fans looking to toast to bravery and resilience.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Purity Vodka
- 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- 4-6 ripe cherries
- Sparkling water
- Garnish: cherry
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients except vodka into a mixing glass and muddle cherries.
- Add vodka and ice.
- Shake, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with sparkling water, and garnish with a whole, stem-on cherry.
3. The Tribute
A salute to the courageous competitors, this drink blends robust ingredients to honor the bravery and resilience of the tributes. Raise your glass to those who fight against all odds.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Alizé COCO
- ⅔ oz. Appleton Estate 21 YO Rum
- 1⅓ oz. pineapple juice
- ½ oz. lime juice
- 4 blackberries
- Splash of simple syrup (1 part hot water, 1 part sugar)
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a glass filled with ice and stir.
4. The Panem-anian Soother
This soothing concoction captures the essence of Panem with a calming blend designed to relax and rejuvenate. Ideal for unwinding after a long day in the arena of life.
Ingredients:
- 1½ c. Ron Abuelo Añejo
- ½ c. orange juice
- 1 oz. agave nectar
- 1 pack of blueberries
- 12 sage leaves
- 2 bottles of diet ginger ale
Instructions:
- In large pitcher, muddle the berries and sage together.
- Add remaining ingredients, add ice, and stir very well.
5. Effie Unfiltered
Reflecting Effie Trinket’s flamboyant style and vibrant personality, this cocktail is as colorful and effervescent as the Capitol’s most fashionable escort. Sip in style and let the bubbles lift your spirits.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Belvedere Unfiltered
- ½ oz. Beefeater 24 Dash Vya vermouth
- Garnish: grapefruit twist
Instructions:
- Pour ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
6. District 12 Decadence
A tribute to Katniss’s home district, this hearty drink combines earthy flavors that reflect the resilience and strength of District 12’s inhabitants. A humble yet satisfying concoction.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Alizé Pomegranate
- ⅔ oz. Vikingfjord Vodka
- 2 oz. ginger ale
- ⅓ oz.
- lemon juice
- Splash of sugar syrup
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a glass, and stir.
7. Rooted in Survival
A hearty concoction that embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of Panem’s districts, combining earthy flavors that reflect the struggle and determination to survive.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Camarena Silver Tequila
- 1 oz. carrot juice
- ½ oz. lemon juice
- ½ oz. agave nectar
- Heavy dash of Peychaud’s Bitters
- Splash of blood orange soda
- Garnish: lemon twist
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a tall Collins glass, stir, add ice, and garnish with a lemon twist.
8. Peeta’s Pear Punch
Drawing inspiration from Peeta Mellark’s nurturing nature, this refreshing punch blends the crisp sweetness of pears with subtle spices, offering a comforting and delightful taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 Numi Honeybush teabag
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 4 oz. pear juice
- Garnish: maraschino cherry
Instructions:
- Infuse tea bag in bourbon for 30 minutes, then remove bag, squeezing out excess liquid.
- Pour ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake, strain into a glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
9. Remembering Rue
A delicate and floral cocktail that pays homage to Rue’s innocence and agility, combining light, fragrant flavors that evoke the essence of blooming meadows.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
- 1 oz. vodka
- ½ oz. lime juice
- Garnish: lime wedges
Instructions:
- Pour vodka and lime juice into a highball glass and top off with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer.
- Garnish with lime wedges.
10. The Primrose
This elegant and gentle drink reflects Primrose Everdeen’s caring spirit, blending soft floral notes with a touch of sweetness, reminiscent of a serene garden in spring.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Alizé Rose
- Splash of ginger ale
- Garnish: strawberry slice
Instructions:
- Pour Alizé Rose into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake, strain into a martini glass, and top with ginger ale.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice.
11. The Girl on Fire
Capturing the fiery essence of Katniss Everdeen, this spicy cinnamon-infused cocktail ignites the senses, embodying her fierce determination and spirit.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Alizé Gold Passion
- ⅔ oz. Appleton Estate Reserve Rum
- 1⅓ oz. clementine juice
- ⅓ oz. honey syrup
- ⅓ oz. lemon juice
- Garnish: chili pepper.
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a glass filled with ice, stir, and garnish with a chili pepper.
12. Belvedere District 12
A sophisticated twist on the traditional flavors of District 12, this cocktail combines premium ingredients to create a drink that’s both refined and robust.
Ingredients:
- 10 Belvedere Pink Grapefruit
- 15 oz. cranberry juice
- 2½ oz. lemon juice
- 3½ oz. Aperol
- 5 oz. orange juice
- Dash of bitters
- Dash of simple syrup
- Garnish: orange and lemon slices
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a pitcher, and garnish with orange and lemon slices.
13. Mockingjay Smash
Symbolizing rebellion and hope, this martini blends sharp and sweet notes, capturing the duality of the Mockingjay’s journey. A drink for those who dare to defy.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Ron Abuelo Añejo
- 2 oz. cranberry juice
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- 10 fresh raspberries
- 5 mint leaves
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
- Ginger ale
- Garnish: raspberry and mint
Instructions:
- Muddle raspberry with the mint in a shaker.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Shake and strain into a highball glass and top with ginger ale.
- Garnish with raspberry and mint.
14. Foxface’s Poison
A cunning concoction inspired by the elusive Foxface, this cocktail combines intriguing flavors that keep you guessing with every sip.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Voli Lyte
- 10 blueberries
- 6 mint leaves
- 3 lime wedges
- ½ oz. agave nectar
- Zico coconut water.
Instructions:
- Muddle lime, mint, and blueberries in a shaker.
- Add agave and Voli.
- Shake and pour all ingredients into a glass.
- Top with coconut water.
15. Red Berry Sling
A refreshing blend of red berries that offers a sweet yet tart flavor, this cocktail is as invigorating as a cool breeze in the arena.
Ingredients:
- 3 large pieces of thinly sliced ginger
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- ½ oz. lime juice
- ¼ oz. raspberry puree
- 1½ oz. Ciroc Red Berry
Instructions:
- Muddle ginger and simple syrup in a shaker, add ingredients and ice, cover and shake well.
- Strain into ice-filled rocks glass,
- top with tonic water and garnish with a lime wheel.
16. The Strawberry Capitol
Embodying the opulence of the Capitol, this luxurious cocktail combines rich strawberry flavors with a sparkling finish, perfect for those who enjoy the finer things.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve
- Strawberries
- ½ oz. lemon juice
- ¾ oz. ginger agave syrup (1 part ginger juice and 1 part sugar)
- Crushed ice
- Garnish: sliced strawberry & ginger candy
Instructions:
- Muddle strawberries in a shaker.
- Add remaining ingredients in a shaker, and add ice.
- Shake, strain and top with crushed ice, and garnish with slice strawberry and ginger candy.
17. Haymitch’s Grassy Knoll
Haymitch’s Grassy Knoll is a cocktail that captures the rugged essence of District 12’s most infamous victor. This invigorating drink combines the unique flavor of bison grass vodka with aromatic lemongrass and spicy ginger, offering a taste that’s both earthy and refreshing. A splash of club soda and a squeeze of lemon add a crisp finish, making it a fitting tribute to Haymitch Abernathy’s complex character.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Zubrawka Vodka
- 5 cubes of lemongrass
- 5 cubes of ginger
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- Squeeze of lemon
- Garnish: 6 inch long piece of lemon grass
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, muddle the lemongrass, ginger and simple syrup.
- Add Zubrawka Vodka and ice.
- Shake and strain over in a rocks glass and top with a splash of club soda and a squeeze of lemon.
- Garnish with a 6 inch long piece of lemon grass.
Hosting a Hunger Games-themed party offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the series’ rich narrative and complex characters. By crafting cocktails that embody the essence of Panem’s heroes and districts, you create an immersive experience that resonates with fellow fans. Complementing these beverages with thoughtfully chosen party supplies, such as themed cutlery and decorations, enhances the ambiance and transports guests straight into the heart of the Capitol or the rugged terrains of the districts.
As you gather to discuss “Sunrise on the Reaping,” these elements come together to foster camaraderie and lively conversation. So, may your drinks be ever flavorful, your decor ever captivating, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
