Three Magical Cocktails (with Mocktail Variations) for Late Summer Magic | Sara's Kitchen Witchcraft

As the Lion passes the baton to the Virgin, it's time to think of some fancy drinks!

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You know, the internet has a funny way of making mundane things into... wacky things. For example: recently, I came across a video of a new mom wanting one single glass of rose who was annoyed at the inexperienced pour she received at the restaurant, and the comments were on fire, calling her an alcoholic and all kinds of other stupid things for...

Wanting one adult beverage.

Y'all, let me tell you something: I don't care if people don't drink. I've got friends who don't drink, and I am more than happy to accommodate them so they can hang out with us and enjoy a tasty, festive beverage without feeling left out. However, what I do care about is when people get overly sanctimonious and stupid about having a drink or two. Those people are annoying as fuck, and frankly, not people I want to be around. My Slovene culture is steeped with spirits (both the spiritual and alcoholic kind), and I'll be damned three ways if I don't enjoy a little beverage with friends and family from time to time.

And speaking of three ways... all this also inspired me to come around and think of three cocktails (and mocktails!) that you might share with friends, if you share my sentiments about annoying wannabe Puritans with their "alcohol is a toxin and sooooo bad for you" bullshit.

We've got some classic dessert drinks here, ones that are perfect for after all the other tasty recipes you might make.

Full disclosure, though: I am a drinker! I drink! And I sure as hell am not going out of my way to fill my war chest of liquors with bullshit I'll never use. Therefore, I am not including my own mocktail recipes here, but I am instead going to credit these other lovely recipe blogs whose mocktail recipes I have pinched in my efforts to find similar drinks to the ones I'm showing you. (And hell, some I've even taken inspo from for my actual cocktail; that little dash of cinnamon and vanilla in the pistachio cooler sounds delicious).

1. The Pistachio Martini

   1. In which, we're looking at the pistachio, white chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla

   2. Mocktail Version: Vanilla Pistachio Cooler a la The Mocktail Edit

2. The Espresso Martini (with or without cream)

   1. Where naturally, we're looking at the espresso above all, as well as dairy if you're using that, and any added flavors (such as caramel, vanilla, or in my case, hazelnut).

   2. Mocktail Version: The Best Espresso Martini Mocktail a la Entirely Elizabeth (for adding different flavors and more magical potential, consider different flavor syrups)

   3. Other Dessert Drink Option: A traditional affogato: espresso over vanilla ice cream.

3. The Strawberry Shortcake Martini

   1. Which is perfect for date nights, what with the strawberry, dairy, and vanilla.

   2. Mocktail Version: Strawberry Shortcake Drink from Mui Kitchen

Magic in Pistachio, Espresso, and Strawberry Shortcake Martinis

Now, despite the fact that these drinks are so different, the reality is that a lot of them can be tied together through what makes them so dessert-like: the dairy. Any kind of cream is going to make these taste all the more rich and luxurious, which is perfect for glamor magic. A pistachio-based drink will be great for glamors involving keeping people's unwanted affections away while dressing yourself up as smart, sharp, and witty. The classic espresso is great for showing people how serious, competent, and capable you are. And the strawberry shortcake? Perfect for all kinds of raw love and beauty glamors, or even glamors on yourself for self love!

What you decide to call on entirely depends on you, but the best thing about drinks like this is how customizable they are. Maybe you do want some vanilla in your espresso-tini, or you want to cut the cinnamon from your pistachio drink. Whatever the case, with our main elements being water, fire, and/or air, as well as Venus, the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, and Saturn, these drinks are absolutely ones that’ll wake up your inner power house, bring all your beauty and social flare to the front, and have people orbiting you all night.

The Pistachio Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pistachio liqueur

• 1 1/2 oz white chocolate liqueur

• 1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. (Optional) Put martini glass in freezer to chill.

2. Add all your liqueurs and cinnamon to a shaker.

3. Add 1-2 ice cubes.

4. Shake well until shaker is chilled.

5. Strain and serve into chilled glass.

The Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cooled, brewed espresso

• 1/2 oz espresso liqueur

• (Optional) 1/2 oz Bailey's liqueur or other cream/dairy liqueur

• (Optional) 1/2 oz Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)

• 1 1/2 oz vodka*

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

*If not using Frangelico, use 2oz vodka. You can also use chocolate vodka, salted caramel vodka, etc., or use plain vodka and switch for chocolate cream or Bailey's salted caramel cream if wanting a more creamy, dairy-based cocktail.

Directions:

1. (Optional) Put martini glass in freezer to chill.

2. Add all your liqueurs and syrups to a shaker.

3. Add 1-2 ice cubes.

4. Shake well until shaker is chilled.

5. Strain and serve into chilled glass.

The Strawberry Shortcake Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bailey's Strawberry & Cream

• 1 oz vanilla vodka

• 1 oz strawberry syrup OR 3 strawberries, muddled into shaker with simple syrup.

Directions:

1. (Optional) Put martini glass in freezer to chill.

2. Add all your liqueurs and syrups (and strawberries if using) to a shaker.

3. Add 1-2 ice cubes.

4. Shake well until shaker is chilled.

5. Strain and serve into chilled glass.

These are so very delicious, and super filling. If you use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, too, you also get a really nice protein bump on top of the chicken you're already eating, which is nice. But when you're craving something spicy, hearty, and full of flavor, this is a go-to—and perfect as an indulgent meal for boosting your inner fire! ♥

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Sara Raztresen is a Slovene-American writer, screenwriter, and Christian witch. Her fantasy works draw heavily on the wisdom she gathers from her own personal and spiritual experience, and her spiritual practice borrows much of the whimsy and wonder that modern society has relegated to fairy-and-folktale. Her goal is to help people regain their spiritual footing and discover God through a new (yet old) lens of mysticism.

Follow Sara on Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube, and explore her fiction writing here.