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Hocus Pocus: the Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

BY Alison Wiebe

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This Green Apple Lychee Martini is the perfect potent potion if you’re looking for the fountain of youth.

Hocus pocus: the Winifred Sanderson cocktail

Are you suffering from the undesirable effects of aging? Then meet Winifred Sanderson. She is cunning, manipulative, powerful, and knows a thing or two about not aging gracefully. Whether she is cursing enemies with boils and blisters or raising old boyfriends from the dead, Winnie is determined and resolute in her goals. As the oldest in the family she relies on the support of her sisters, Sarah and Mary. The Sanderson sisters always act as a team in Winnie’s quest for youth and beauty.

Winnie’s immortality potion packs a powerful sweet and sour punch; perfect for sucking the life force out of little children. While this enchanting elixir of life doesn’t contain any oil of boil, saliva of newt, or a dead man’s toe, it’s sure to bewitch your taste buds. The Winifred Sanderson cocktail is definitely worth selling your soul for.

Ingredient Notes for the Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

Green apple vodka: This forbidden fruit has been rumoured to grant immortality by many ancient cultures. Capture the essence of eternal life with an apple flavoured vodka. As a substitute, try using sour apple schnapps.

Lychee liqueur: Known for bestowing happiness, beauty, and manifesting desires, a dash of lychee liqueur is the perfect ingredient to give your immortality potion the boost it needs to succeed. There are a number of lychee liqueur brands available but Soho brand is most common here. If you don’t want to use lychee liqueur then try substituting with lychee juice. But, you may need to adjust the amount of simple syrup based on sweetness.

Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds the perfect amount of pucker to balance out this brew.

Green Food Colouring: To capture Winifred Sanderson’s signature emerald colour, add a few drops of green food colouring to the simple syrup. I use a small dab of Wilton’s Leaf Green gel colouring to create the perfect hue to match Winnie’s iconic look.

Canned lychee fruit: Winfred Sanderson’s most prized possession is her ancient spell book, filled with powerful curses and controlled by a human eye that is only wakened by her gentle cooing. Harness the power of Winnie’s beloved book with this eye-catching garnish! Canned lychees are available in the Asian section of most grocery stores or any Asian market. Stuff each lychee with a blueberry and then skewer each “eyeball” for a dramatic garnish.

How to make the Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

It won’t take an eternity to brew up this immortality potion!

To prepare the green simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Then, heat over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add a couple drops of green food colouring until you reach the colour you desire. Allow to cool completely before using.

To make the eyeball garnish, place a blueberry inside each lychee fruit.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the green apple vodka, lychee liqueur, green simple syrup, and fresh lime juice to the shaker. Cover and shake well for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lychee eyeball, and enjoy.

And if you’re worried the effects of this cocktail will be too much for you, remember, it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus!

Hocus pocus: Sanderson sisters cocktails

The Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Sevings 1 serving

Ingredients 

Green Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2-3 drops green gel food colouring

The Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

  • 1 ½ oz green apple vodka
  • ½ oz lychee liqueur
  • ½ oz green simple syrup
  • ¾ oz fresh lime juice
  • canned lychees, drained
  • fresh blueberries

Instructions 

Green Simple Syrup

  • In a saucepan, combine the sugar and the water. Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup just comes to a simmer. Add the green gel food colouring to reach the desired colour. Allow to cool completely before using.

The Winifred Sanderson Cocktail

  • Make the lychee eyeball garnish by placing a blueberry into each lychee.
  • In a cocktail shaker, add the green apple vodka, lychee liqueur, green simple syrup, and the fresh lime juice. Add ice, cover, and shake for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Garnish with a lychee eyeball and enjoy!

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