The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy

The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy was recently published in September 2017. This book by author Andy Heidel, owner of The Way Station in Brooklyn, New York, is a combination of cocktail recipes, tidbits of cocktail information, anecdotes and humor.

The volume contains more than 100 cocktail recipes and Heidel relates all of the recipes to a variety of movies and TV shows. Movies mentioned in the cocktail guide include: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Back to the Future, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Dune, The Hunger Games, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, The Matrix, Planet of the Apes, The Walking Dead, Star Wars and many more. Television shows include the likes of Doctor Who, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , Star Trek, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Fans of Game of Thrones will want to try either The Blood of My Enemies or the George R. R. Martini cocktails. Lord of the Rings enthusiasts will surely want to give My Precious, Gandalf the Greylock or Gimli cocktails a try. For those who remember the many Star Trek shows, Heidel offers many recipes.

In addition to the numerous easy-to-make cocktail recipes, Heidel offers a few pages of introduction to the world of cocktails. He adds information on making these cocktails at home with your own everyday items. Basically, the reader does not feel the need to shop for special bar equipment to make these cocktails. The author offers helpful tidbits such as “one part” is the same as 1 1/2 ounces.

Sample recipe from The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy

The book contains so many recipes with references to numerous films and TV shows. As a fan of the old TV Star Trek series, I decided to share this recipe from The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy. The recipe was named for the well-known Captain Kirk. Notice how easy the recipe is to make. Author Andy Heidel begins the cocktail with this comment, “None of us can be as cool as Captain Kirk, but sipping this drink will make you think you are.”

The Jameson T. Kirk Cocktail

1/2 part Jameson whiskey
1/2 part mezcal
1/4 part Cointreau
Ginger beer

Pour the whiskey, mezcal, and Cointreau into a small glass full of ice. Top with Ginger beer.

Throughout the volume, Heidel offers a variety of hints. For example, be sure to eat before drinking. Heidel explains that this slows down the absorption rate of the alcohol. Another suggestion is to drink a glass of water between each drink.

If you enjoy an occasional cocktail and a variety of science fiction shows, you are likely to enjoy The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy. It is available as a hardcover and Kindle through Amazon.

Cheers!
Kathy