Mixing the Majors
If the Major Arcana are archetypal images from the human community, then it’s not much of a stretch to apply some of their associations to the silver screen, and the many, many drinks held aloft on it.
And who knows, maybe the drink associated with your Personality card will turn out to be your tipple of choice in the future; but if you decide to work your way through the whole selection, pace yourself, as there are no plans for an article on Major Arcana hangover cures!
In this article the choice of which movie goes with which drink come from ‘Hollywood Cocktails‘ by Tobias Steed and Ben Reed. The choice of Tarot cards is down to me, so feel free to dive in and shuffle, shake, and stir your way to some fun Tarot recipes of your own.
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0 The Fool
A Zombie for breakfast? If you’re the youthful Holly Golightly the drink fits the time and the card, or rather the movie. ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961) stars the lovely Audrey Hepburn as the free spirited lead character, whose past is less than happy, but who’s determined to live for the moment, flitting like a brightly coloured butterfly from party to party, man to man, very much footloose and fancy free - for now.
Zombie Ingredients: 20ml light Rum, 20ml Golden Rum, 20ml Jamaican Rum, 20ml over-proof Rum, fresh lime juice, fresh passion-fruit juice, fresh pineapple juice, sugar syrup.
Pour first 3 rums into cocktail shaker, add large dash lime juice, 2 large dashes each of passion-fruit and pineapple juice, dash of sugar, shake quickly, strain into Highball glass full of ice, then float measure of over-proof rum on top and add a garnish if desired.
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Fool:
The Buck, created during prohibition [1½ oz Brandy, 1oz lemon juice, ¾ oz crème de menthe, ginger ale, a few seedless grapes]
Shirley Temple (mocktail - no alcohol) [A dash of grenadine in a large champagne glass full of 7-Up or ginger ale, decorated with cherries.]
Fancy Free [1½ oz of rye, dashes of maraschino, dash of orange bitters, dash of Angostura bitters]
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1 The Magician
The devotion, charisma, resourcefulness and creative mind of the Magician sit well on Cary Grant as C K Dexter Haven in ‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1940), as the ex husband of spoilt socialite Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn), and Dexter skilfully manipulates all and sundry with a charming smile, in his efforts to win back his ex-wife, aided and abetted by his partner in crime, Tracy’s younger sister.
And the movies drink of choice is the Kir Royale definitely sounds as if it fits the top-notch cast, including James Stewart and Elizabeth Imbrie as society reporters intent on dishing the dirt.
Kir Royale Ingredients: 10ml Crème de Cassis, dry Champagne.
Pour crème de cassis into Champagne flute, fill slowly with chilled dry Champagne.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Magician:
Blue Blazer, described as a spectacular and very difficult to serve and drink, a challenge worthy of the Magician? [1 teaspoon or more sugar (or 1 tablespoon honey), 4 oz warmed Scotch, twist of lemon peel or grated nutmeg] - this drink involves lots of boiling and dissolving.
Black Magic [2 oz vodka, 1 oz Tia Maria, dash lemon juice]
Fascinator [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz dry vermouth, 2 dashes pastis, sprig mint]
Pastis - aniseed flavoured French liqueur.
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2 The High Priestess
‘All About Eve’ (1950) encompasses the dark side of the High Priestess, the obsession of Eve, played by Anne Baxter, to become a movie star, her passive aggressive campaign to use and manipulate successful actress Margo Channing, played by the wonderful Bette Davis, and the shallowness of the whole back stabbing Broadway scene as portrayed throughout the film. The whole thing leaves you gasping for that Martini variation the Gibson.
On a side note the Gibson is thought to be named after Charles Dana Gibson who created the first American glamour girl, named strangely enough, the Gibson Girl, and if our High Priestess isn’t a Gibson Girl I don’t know who is.
Gibson Ingredients: 50 ml gin or vodka, dry vermouth, a pearl cocktail onion.
Fill mixing glass with ice, pour in few drops dry vermouth, stir until the ice is coated with vermouth, strain off liquid and top up mixing glass with more ice, add gin, stir until the glass frosts then pour into a Martini glass with or without ice and garnish with the onion.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the High Priestess:
The White Lady, a deceptively virginal cocktail created during Prohibition, it may have originated in Paris [generous 2 oz of gin, ½ to ¼ lemon juice, ¼ oz triple sec, ½ egg white]
Leave it to Me, [1 oz London Dry or Plymouth gin, ½ oz dry vermouth, ½ oz apricot brandy, dash of grenadine, dash of lemon juice]
Shady Lady [3 oz tequila, 1 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz apple brandy, 4 dashes fresh lime juice]
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3 The Empress
David Niven as the main character in ‘My Man Godfrey’ (1957) might seem a bit of a stretch for the Empress card, but when this undercover Austrian Count becomes butler to the Bullock family, he spends most of his time looking after the demanding group, as well as falling in love with one of the daughters, Irene, played by June Allyson.
Nurturing and loyal, with a strong sense of family, and already Godfrey is fitting the bill, put that with the lethargy, abundance and gluttony of the Bullock family, and is it any wonder that the aristocratic butler is helping himself to the odd tray of Vodka Martinis!
Vodka Martini Ingredients: 50ml vodka, dry vermouth, 1 green olive or lemon zest.
Add 2 drops of vermouth into mixing glass full of ice, stir gently, strain excess liquid, add more ice, vodka, stir again, when mixing glass has frosted strain into chilled Martini glass, garnish with strip of lemon zest of green olive.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Empress:
Diana [2 oz white crème de menthe, or peppermint schnapps, 2-3 teaspoons cognac]
Green Lady, [1/2 oz green Chartreuse, ½ yellow Chartreuse, ¼ oz lime juice, 1 ½ oz London Dry gin, sliver of lime] - French
The Shrub, based on an old English idea of soaking fruit [2 quarts Jamaica rum or brandy, 1 pint (or less) lemon juice, grated rind of 2 to 3 lemons, 2 lb (4 cups) sugar]
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4 The Emperor
Anyone for a Dry Martini? The book of ‘Hollywood Cocktails’ links this stylish drink with the movie ‘After Office Hours’ (1935), and with Clarke Gable, the “King of Hollywood”, as it’s star, it seems a fitting match for the Emperor. That and a rather tenuous secondary link with ‘Gone with the Wind’ (See the Tower), scarlet and red are colours associated with the Emperor.
The ram is also associated with the Emperor and is a rather fitting connection to Gable, who was a bit of a hell raiser in his time, though I’m not sure where the stars bad breath comes into the equation. You can’t deny he was a Hollywood powerhouse, with ambition, authority, strength and maybe a dash of ruthlessness thrown in, and many of his screen characters were charming cynics, sound familiar yet?
Dry Martini Ingredients: 50ml Gin; Dry Vermouth; 1 Green Olive or Lemon; Zest.
2 drops vermouth into ice filled mixing glass, stir, strain excess liquid, add more ice, gin, stir again, when glass frosts strain into chilled martini glass, garnish with lemon zest or green olive.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Emperor:
El Presidente [2 oz rum,1 oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz curacao, dash Angostura bitters]
The Kir, a French aperitif, [teaspoon or less of crème de cassis, chilled white burgundy], named after the wartime mayor of Dijon, a left wing politician.
Alexander [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz crème de menthe, 1 oz fresh single cream]
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5 The Hierophant
For a tale of sacrifice, mercy and morality you can’t do much better than the old favourite, ‘Casablanca’ (1942). Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine helps old flame Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Berman), save refugees and the resistance movement from the hypocrisy and rigid conformity of the Nazis, all the while denying the passion and history between them, because Ilsa is now married, and their love must be sacrificed for a higher cause.
Dooley Wilson as Sam provides a backdrop to the Champagne cocktails as Rick and Ilsa share a poignant toast to simpler times.
Champagne Cocktail Ingredients: Dry Champagne, 25ml brandy, 1 white sugar cube, Angostura Bitters.
Liberally douse a sugar cube in Angostura bitters, place in Champagne flute, add brandy, top up slowly with Champagne.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Hierophant are:
The Bishop [1 large orange, 12 cloves, 1 quart inexpensive port, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon allspice (optional), a few dashes of cognac]
Old Fashioned [2 teaspoons sugar syrup, 3 dashes of bitters, 1 ½ oz rye, twist of lemon, slice of orange]
Church Parade [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz orange juice, dash orange bitters]
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
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6 The Lovers
Is a perfect card for the ‘Knickerbocker’, another version of that old Hollywood favourite the Martini. This drink mixes opposites, dry and sweet vermouth and is a favourite tipple of William Powell and Myrna Loy as the married crime-busting duo Nick and Nora, the main characters in ‘The Thin Man’ (1934), who banter their way to solving a murder between drinks.
The Lovers star sign is Gemini, yin and yang, duality, opposites yet one, and the musical note D, underlines the measurements needed to mix the perfect blend.
Knickerbocker Ingredients: 50ml Gin; Large dash of dry vermouth; small dash sweet vermouth.
Add gin and both vermouths to mixing glass full of ice, mix well, strain into frosted Martini glass.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Lovers are:
‘Sex on the Beach’ [2 oz vodka, 1 oz peach schnapps/brandy, 2 oz dash blackberry liqueur (optional), 2 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz pineapple juice]
Sloe Comfortable Screw’ [2oz vodka, ½ oz sloe gin, ½ Southern Comfort, 4 oz orange juice]
‘Grand Passion’ [2 oz gin, 1 oz passion-fruit juice, dashes of Angostura or peach litters]
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7 The Chariot
Claudette Colbert as Ellie Andrews in ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934) epitomises the forward motion, resourcefulness and hasty decision making that can characterise the Chariot. As a spoilt heiress, Colbert manages to escape from the confines of her father’s yacht determined to rush headlong into an unsuitable marriage, but on her trip she samples at least one ‘White Lady’ and meets the dashing and dynamic reporter Peter Warne, played by Clarke Gable, who recognises a great story when he sees one, and tags along for more than just a bus ride.
White Lady Ingredients: 50ml gin, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, egg white (a Pink Lady needs an extra dash of gin and grenadine).
Mix gin with large dash of lemon juice, dash triple sec, and egg white. Shake in cocktail shaker and strain into frosted martini glass.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Chariot are:
Sidecar [2 oz cognac or armagnac, ½ oz lemon juice, ¼ Cointreau, twist of lemon peel]
Golden Cadillac [1 oz Galliano, ½ oz white crème de cacao, 1 oz double (heavy) cream]
Horses Neck [2 ½ oz bourbon or rye, ginger ale, peel of a lemon, cut in a continuous spiral]
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8 Strength
A characteristic of Strength is energy, and there’s plenty of that flying around in ‘To Have and Have Not’ (1944). The attraction between Bogart and Bacall on screen as Harry ‘Steve’ Morgan and Marie ‘Slim’ Browning, (and off screen as their own romance blossomed), the frenetic pace of the French resistance as they embroil the reluctant couple in their plans, and the machinations of the Nazi party as they plot and scheme on the island of Martinique.
Courage, confidence, zeal and the determination to live despite the odds are all characteristics of the film and the card, which means that the Daiquiri is the drink of choice for Strength.
Daiquiri Ingredients: 50 ml light or golden rum, 20ml fresh lime juice, 2½ teaspoons of sugar syrup.
Shake all the ingredients up in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and strain into a frosted Martini glass.
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Strength are:
Grand Slam [2 oz Swedish Punsch, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz sweet vermouth]
Booster [2 oz brandy, 2 dashes curacao, 1 egg white]
Fireman’s Lift [2 oz rum, 1 oz fresh lime, 4 dashes grenadine, sprinkle of sugar]
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9 The Hermit
There’s something about the wisdom, self-control, reliability and discretion of the Hermit that lends itself well to the characteristics of the Hollywood detective, which leaves the field wide open, so with the solitary and inquisitive nature of the Hermit in mind, the detective thriller ‘Laura’ (1944) seemed to fit like a latex glove, well okay, it’s a bit of a stretch. No? You’re a tough room!
Detective McPherson, as played by Dana Andrews, is sent to investigate a murder in a New York apartment. Everyone assumes that the victim is the owner Laura Hunt who is played by Gene Tierney, and McPherson becomes intrigued by the woman and her life. Only Laura turns up alive and well, and with Vincent Price lurking around as one of the murder suspects, you just know that our Hermit has his work cut out, especially when his curiosity turns to love.
One of this cards animal associations is the dog, so perhaps at this stage we should be looking for a hangover cure rather than a stiff ‘Gin and It’, but our hero’s going to need something to keep him going if he’s to work out who the murdered woman is, and if Laura is as wonderful as she seems.
Gin and It Ingredients: 30 ml gin, 30 ml sweet red vermouth.
Use an ice filled mixing glass to stir gin and vermouth together and strain into frosted Martini glass.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Hermit are:
Whisper [1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1 oz whisky]
Inca [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz dry sherry, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz sweet vermouth, dash Orgeat syrup, dash orange bitters]
Self Starter [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz Lillet, teaspoon apricot brandy, dash pastis]
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10 Wheel of Fortune
When I read the plot to the film ‘Remember?’ (1939), in the book of ‘Hollywood Cocktails’ it fitted in well with the cycles of the Wheel of Fortune, and so the movies cocktail of choice, the ‘Imperial’, is the drink for this card.
A chemist introduces his fiancée to a friend and inevitably, they fall in love; have a stormy marriage, and then divorce. In the meantime, the chemist who’s still in love with Greer Garson’s character Linda Bronson, decides to give the couple a drug that causes amnesia, in the hope that once they forget the painful past, Linda will turn to him instead. Only of course, it doesn’t work out that way. The cycle starts again and the couple seem doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
There can be an element of manipulation to the Wheel of Fortune as there is to the plot of this movie.
The ‘Imperial’ cocktail also has a bit of history behind it, apparently William of Orange (1689-1702) made the drink popular, and the medieval image for the Wheel of Fortune used to include 4 kings to illustrate the cycles of life.
Gin itself was supposedly developed for medicinal purposes in the late 1600, but we’ve all heard that one before!
Imperial Ingredients: 30ml Gin, 30ml dry Vermouth, Dash of Angostura Bitters, dash of Maraschino juice, and 1 green olive.
Add all ingredients to mixing glass with lots of ice, mix, strain into frosted Martini glass, garnish with cocktail olive.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Wheel of Fortune are:
Good Fortune [2.96 cl Irish Cream Liqueur, 2.96 cl Ginger liqueur]
http://www.bolscocktails.com
Nevada [3 oz Bacardi rum, 2 oz grapefruit juice, 1 oz fresh lime juice, dash Angostura bitters]
Which Way [1 oz pastis, 1 oz Anisette, 1 oz brandy]
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11 Justice
A Bourbon Highball is a straightforward drink for a straightforward card, but then again, this is Tarot and there’s often a twist in the tale, and in this cards chosen movie, ‘DOA’ (Dead On Arrival) (1949), the twist starts the tale!
Frank Bigelow, as played by Edmond O’Brien, is club hopping during a trip to Los Angeles, he knows no one and thinks no one knows him, but after feeling terribly ill he’s forced to visit a doctor and finds out that someone in the big bad city has spiked his drink with a deadly poison. Bigelow has being murdered, and with only 3 days to solve a crime where he is the victim, he must pierce the darkness of a killer’s convoluted mind to find justice for himself and the woman he will leave behind.
This character runs the gauntlet, from bewilderment at the unfairness of it all, righteous anger, and false accusations, even saving a life towards the end before finally making sure the wrong doer gets their just rewards.
There was a remake of ‘DOA’ starring Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. Quaid took the lead role of the murder victim, who this time is a college professor who has to deal with an on going divorce, the death of a student, and his own murder, not to mention Ryan in a Freudian Slip!
Bourbon Highball Ingredients: 50 ml Bourbon, Ginger Ale, twist of lemon.
Pour Bourbon into highball glass over ice, fill up with ginger ale, add twist of lemon to garnish.
Other cocktails that could be a match for Justice are:
The Cooler [1 ½ oz dry gin, 1 ½ oz apricot brandy, 2 dashes grenadine, soda, some sprigs of mint]
Perfect Lady [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz peach brandy, 1 oz lemon juice, teaspoon egg white]
Banshee [2 oz banana liqueur, 1 oz crème d cacao, fresh cream]
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12 The Hanged Man
Bette Davis’ performance of courage, acceptance and finally sacrifice as the brain tumour stricken heiress Judith Traherne, whose world is turned upside down, in ‘Dark Victory’ (1939), makes a great mix for a ‘Pink Gin’ and The Hanged Man.
Of course, Judith Traherne isn’t all acceptance and calm to begin with, and even has an almost fling with stable hand Humphrey Bogart, but she soon settles down to married bliss with the doctor who diagnosed her condition, as played by George Brent. Unfortunately, the gin, pink or otherwise can’t help our ailing heroine, and Judith turns to her best friend played by Geraldine Fitzgerald, to hide her worsening condition as blindness comes on just as her devoted husband is going to an important medical conference.
Determined not to let him know the end is nigh, she accepts her fate, puts her own needs aside, and calmly fools him into thinking she’s fine, then sets about planning the layout for the flower bed. Personally I’d be opting for a few Pink Gins, strictly for medicinal…
Now your getting the idea!
In real life Davis might have won an Oscar for this role, if ‘Gone With the Wind’ (See the Tower), hadn’t majestically swept the board, so is it any wonder she was hitting the cocktail bar for a medicinal gin, pink or otherwise?
Pink Gin Ingredients: 50ml gin, Angostura bitters.
Roll around a few drops of Angostura bitters in a martini glass and empty out, add gin and ice (optional) to serve.
Other cocktails that could be a match for The Hanged Man are:
Fruit Bat [1 oz cider brandy, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz dry sherry]
Downside House [1 oz vodka, 1 oz green crème de menthe, 1 oz fresh lime juice]
Diki-Diki -cause I liked the name and it seemed to fit [1 oz apple brandy, 4 dashes Swedish Punsch, 4 dashes grapefruit juice]
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13 Death
‘Angels Over Broadway’ (1940) seems like a good match for this card. A man who has being caught embezzling decides to drink himself to death. His appearance at the Aladdin Café brings him into contact with a con man who mistakes him for a millionaire, and a chorus girl, played by the lovely Rita Hayworth, who sees him as a means of furthering her career. But when the grifters find out the man’s real reason for being in the bar, they come up with a plan to save his life, aided and abetted by a cocktail known as the ‘Rob Roy’.
You’ve got to admit, it’s going to be a transition and a half if these characters manage to turn over a new leaf and save a life into the bargain.
Rob Roy Ingredients: 50ml Scotch whisky, 40ml sweet Vermouth, 4 drops Angostura Bitters, orange zest and a maraschino cherry.
Pour whiskey, vermouth, bitters into mixing glass filled with ice, stir until chilled, strain into frosted Martini glass, garnish with Maraschino cherry and strip orange zest.
Other cocktails that could be a match for Death are:
Merry Widow [1 ½ oz Dubonet, 1 ½ oz French vermouth]
Scorpion [2oz light, golden or Barbadian rum, 1oz inexpensive brandy, ½ oz orgeat syrup, 2oz orange juice, 1 ½ oz lemon juice]
The Stinger [1 ½ oz chilled dry white wine, 2oz soda or Apollinaris water]
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
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14 Temperance
A large part of Temperance is learning to accept and face up to your feelings, and what better film to exemplify this than the steamy southern drama ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ (1958). Originally by Tennessee Williams, the film version stars a brooding Paul Newman as Brick, and the sultry Elizabeth Taylor as his wife, Maggie the Cat, who is desperately trying to save their marriage, seemingly in trouble due to the mysterious death of Brick’s best friend.
And if that’s not enough, Brick has an uneasy relationship with his dictatorial father, Big Daddy, who just loves to interfere, and his brother’s jealous grasping wife is determined that her husband should have the number one spot in the family dynasty, no matter who she slanders in the process!
Things come to a head when Big Daddy discovers he’s dying and has to face a few home truths, along with Brick who is forced to face up to, and resolve, his feelings for his father and Maggie.
And the drink? A Hot Toddy of course, what else would do to soothe our frazzled nerves after all that sizzling friction!
Hot Toddy Ingredients: 50 ml Scotch Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon honey, ground cinnamon, cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, boiling water.
Add honey and whiskey to heatproof glass, half fill with boiling water, stir well. Spear 5 cloves into the peel of a slice of lemon, add it to the glass, add some cinnamon, dash of lemon juice, stir and garnish with cinnamon stick.
Other cocktails that could be a match for Temperance are:
Doctor [1oz Swedish punsch, 1oz vodka, 1oz orange juice, 1oz lemon juice]
The Ambassador [2oz tequila, fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon sugar syrup, slice orange]
Desert Healer [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz fresh orange juice, 3 dashes cherry brandy]
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
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15 The Devil
This is one card that’s not short of a film or a drink or six to match up with. I had wanted to use the movie ‘Gilda’, a favourite of mine starring Glen Ford and the gorgeous Rita Hayworth, but horror of horrors, it’s not in the book!
Still, there’s this little thriller that admirably fits the bill and then some, so it’s all downhill from here as we concentrate on some of the Devils more negative aspects, with wickedness, temptation, violence and deceit, and Barbara Stanwyck as the devil with a blue dress on…
‘Double Indemnity’ (1944) stars Fred MacMurray as an insurance salesman Walter Neff, who allows himself to be seduced into a greedy and murderous scam by Phyllis Dietrichson, played by Stanwyck. Unfortunately for them, Fred’s in up to here, and sinking fast, and with claims investigator Barton Keyes (Edward G Robinson) giving them the Evil Eye all in a good cause, it’s time for Pimm’s Cocktails all round.
Pimm’s Cocktail Ingredients: 50 ml Pimm’s No 1 Cup, lemonade or 7-Up, cucumber, mixed fruit to taste, sprig of mint.
Use an ice filled Highball glass, pour in Pimm’s and lemonade, leave room for the fruit, add sliver of cucumber peel, slice of orange, lemon and strawberry, add sprig of mint, serve with straw and swizzle stick.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Devil are:
Diablo [1oz dry white port, 1oz sweet vermouth, few drops lemon juice]
Diabol [2 oz rum, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz dry vermouth, 2 drops Angostura bitters, orange peel]
Harvey Wallbanger [2oz vodka, 1-2 teaspoons Galliano, orange juice, ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)]
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16 The Tower
‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939), is the choice for this dramatic and changeable card, and that means Planter’s Punch is the drink of choice. Not only that, but Scarlet by name, scarlet by nature, this cards colour association according to Mary K Greer is…
Following the epic story of a country ripped apart by civil war, and in particular how all of this affects southern belle Scarlett O’ Hara, ‘Gone With the Wind’ is based on the only novel of Margaret Mitchell. All the top actresses of the time wanted the O’Hara role, including Bette Davis, whose own top-notch film, ‘Dark Victory’ released in the same year (See the Hanged Man), was pushed way out of the picture during the Oscar nominations by the on screen chemistry of Leigh and Gable as war torn lovers, and the sheer sweeping grandeur of the movie production.
On a final note, and I know I’ve mentioned this before, but what the heck, Clarke Gable apparently had terrible breath, which made the lovely Vivien Leigh’s job an unappealing one, and according to you know who, the Hebrew letter for The Tower is Peh, which means mouth, how spooky is that? Yes, that’s what I thought…
Planter’s Punch Ingredients: 50 ml Myers dark rum, 25 ml fresh lime juice, sugar syrup, Angostura bitters, soda, lime wedge.
Pour lime juice, rum into ice filled cocktail shaker, add big dash of sugar syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, shake, strain into ice filled Highball glass, top up with soda, garnish with lime wedge.
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Tower are:
Aggravation [1¼ oz Coffee Liqueur, 3 oz cream]
http://cocktails.about.com/library/blatoz.htm
Tailspin [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1 oz green Chartreuse, dash orange bitters]
Thunderclap [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz Scotch Whisky, 1 oz brandy]
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17 The Star
If you’re looking for a star in Hollywood, then Marilyn Monroe fits the bill in suitably glamorous and curvy girlie style. And there’s nothing more hopeful than the character of Richard Sherman as played by Tom Ewell, the married man lusting after, and day dreaming madly about, Monroe’s character, ‘The Girl’, in ‘The Seven Year Itch’ (1955), downing many a Whiskey Sour as he goes.
Whiskey Sour Ingredients: 50 ml bourbon or rye whiskey, 40 ml lemon juice (fresh), 1 egg white, sugar syrup, Angostura bitters, stemmed cherry.
Add fresh lemon juice to large dash egg white, mix with bourbon, small measure of sugar syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, shake in ice filled cocktail shaker, pour into a rocks glass, garnish with cherry.
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Star are:
Star [1 oz apple brandy, 1 oz dry gin, 4 dashes grapefruit juice, dash dry vermouth, dash sweet vermouth]
Seventh Heaven [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz Caperitif, 2 dashes maraschino, dash Angostura bitters]
Silver [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz dry vermouth, 2 dashes maraschino, 2 dashes orange bitters]
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18 The Moon
The Moon has many aspects, but one of the most easily identifiable is its connection to the emotions. Add that to other key words such as, sensitivity, dreams, intrigue and creativity, and it’s a good match for the movie ‘Humoresque’ (1946).
This melodrama stars Joan Crawford as Helen Wright, a wealthy patron of the arts, who sponsors and falls for, talented young violinist Paul Boray, as played by John Garfield. She tries, and fails to win his heart and ends up drowning her sorrows drinking ‘Tom Collins’ cocktails like a fish.
Fish, dolphin, Pisces? No? Hey it works for me!
I wonder how may B notes Issac Stern, the stand in solo violinist, played through out the movie…
Tom Collins Ingredients: 50 ml London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda, slice lemon.
Pour gin, dash sugar syrup and small amount of lemon juice into an ice filled Highball glass, top up with soda and stir, garnish with slice of lemon.
See note at end of article for Sugar Syrup recipe.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Moon are:
Moonlight [2 oz dry gin, 2 oz white wine, 1 oz grapefruit juice, 4 dashes kirsch]
Dark and Stormy [11.75 cl Ginger beer, 5.88 cl dark rum, 2.95 cl lime juice (fresh), 48 cl sugar syrup.
Night Owl 253 [1 oz bourbon, 4 dashes Cointreau, 4 dashes lemon juice, chilled soda water]
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19 Sun
For the Sun I wanted a movie that would show the cards positive qualities, its cheerfulness, high spirits and friendliness. I also wanted to get Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in here somewhere, but wasn’t sure I’d manage it until I found ‘Top Hat’ (1935) with the light and airy Buck’s Fizz cocktail, that’s just bursting with bubbly sunshiny fun.
The movie includes the song, ‘Isn’t it a Lovely Day?’ which fits perfectly with this light hearted song and dance romantic comedy, which won 2 Oscars, neither of which, surprisingly enough, were for Fred or Ginger!
Buck’s Fizz Ingredients: Dry Champagne, fresh orange juice.
Use chilled ingredients, half and half, alcohol first in Champagne flute, and stir softly.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the Sun are:
Sunburst [2 oz apple brandy, 1 oz Grand Mariner, dash orange bitters, chilled sparkling wine]
Gloom Chaser [¾ oz Curacao, ¾ Grand Mariner, ¾ grenadine, ¾ lemon juice]
Tequila Sunrise [¾ grenadine, 1½ oz tequila, 4 oz orange juice]
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20 Judgement
Humphrey Bogart as opinionated private eye Philip Marlow, The Big Sleep (1946), and the drink Scotch Mist seem a fitting match to associate with Judgement.
The first pairing of Bogart and Bacall after their marriage, the film is based on a Raymond Chandler novel, and sees Marlow having to deal with blackmail, murder, lies, the police, Bacall and her disturbed sister, though not necessarily in that order, while doing his best to come out clean on the other side.
Marlowe needs to judge how best to help his clients without airing their dirty laundry to all and sundry, while considering how his actions will affect those around him, because if he makes a mistake and fails to break the case, he’ll need more than a Scotch Mist to help him get out from under the growing number of corpses piling up.
Scotch Mist Ingredients: 50 ml scotch whisky, ice, and lemon zest.
Pour whisky into an ice filled cocktail shaker, shake, strain into a wine glass over crushed ice and add some lemon zest as garnish.
Other cocktails that could be a match for Judgement are:
Judgette [1 oz dry gin, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz peach brandy, dash lime cordial]
Eye Opener [1 oz rum, 2 dashes crème de noyaux, 2 dashes curacao 2 dashes pastis, teaspoon sugar, 1 egg yolk]
Diplomat [2 oz dry vermouth, 1 oz sweet vermouth, dash maraschino]
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21 World
‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ (1952) is a match for the World in the sense that it’s one mans look back at his life, his world, as he lies near death at the foot of Kilimanjaro in Africa. Gregory Peck plays writer Harry Street, whose delirium takes him back through his time during the Spanish Civil War, his first and lost love, Ava Gardner, and the city of Paris. Susan Hayward plays the dedicated wife caring for him in the present.
The film is based on a book by Ernest Hemmingway and apparently he wasn’t too happy with the screen adaptation of his work, maybe all he needed was a few Gimlets to improve his outlook?
Gimlet Ingredients: 50 ml gin (or vodka), 25 ml Rose’s lime cordial.
Add gin to an ice filled cocktail shaker, add cordial as desired (2 parts spirit to 1 part cordial is usual), shake and strain into frosted Martini glass or serve in a rocks glass with ice.
Other cocktails that could be a match for the World are:
Empire [dry gin, apple brandy, apricot brandy]
Trade Winds [rum, teaspoon sloe gin, teaspoon lime juice (fresh), sprinkle sugar]
Fine and Dandy [2 oz dry gin, 1 oz Cointreau, 1 oz lemon juice, dash Angostura bitters]
NB: Sugar Syrup - 1kg sugar dissolved in 500ml hot water = 1.1 litre of sugar syrup from http://www.bolscocktails.com/
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Sources of Information:
Hollywood Cocktails by Tobias Steed with cocktail recipes by Ben Reed
ISBN 1-84000-199-2
Cosmic Tarot by Jean Huets
ISBN 0-88079-699-5
Bar & Cocktail Book by Michael Jackson
ISBN 1-84000-563-7
Tarot for Yourself by Mary K Greer
ISBN 1-56414-588-3
The Wordsworth Ultimate Cocktail Book by Ned Halley
ISBN 1-85326-762-7
Thanks to:
TABI members Ribbitcat, Diana, Shelley and Bethan and my younger brother for the loan of the great cocktail books.
Other Cocktail Resources:
*Cocktail.com - large collection of cocktail recipes.
http://www.cocktail.com/
*DrinkBoy: Adventures in Cocktails
http://www.drinkboy.com/
*Cocktails and Beer resources at About.com
http://cocktails.about.com/
*About.com’s Cocktails Resources A-Z list
http://cocktails.about.com/library/blatoz.htm
*Bols Cocktails - Over 10, 000 Cocktails Online
http://www.bolscocktails.com/
*MisterLUCKY: Cocktails
http://www.mrlucky.com/html/b_cocktails.htm
*The Webtender - An Online Bartender
http://www.webtender.com/
*BarDrinks - Welcome to your party place ….
http://www.bardrinks.com/
*Martiniware.com - everything to make the perfect Martini
http://www.martiniware.com/
*LUPEC: Dismantling the Patriarchy One Drink at a Time
http://www.lupec.org/