- Brandy
So Uncivilized
A Star Wars cocktail inspired by Obi-Wan Kenobi that channels the Jedi Master’s elegance and depth by layering rich Cognac with warm chai and baking spices, bright citrus notes, and a touch of fig
Get geeky with these cocktail recipes inspired by your favorite fandoms.
Hello there! I’m Kendall, the craft cocktail connoisseur and geeky drinks enthusiast behind Novel Nightcaps.
After several years of taste-testing my way through my library of cocktail books—exploring everything from timeless classics to modern riffs and seasonal creations—I found my niche in geeky drinks: the ones inspired by fandoms, literature, pop culture, and fantasy that invite a bit of magic into the glass. Now, whether I’m dreaming up a new concoction based on an author’s fictional world or unearthing a past bartender’s oddball experiment, my favorite part of bartending is diving into ingredient pairings with unique origin stories that make them fun to revisit again and again.
Here within my recipe archive, you’ll find hundreds of cocktails I’ve tried (and some originals I’ve developed myself), complete with histories, techniques, and tasting notes—all written for fellow imbibers who appreciate well-crafted drinks and the story behind them too.
Cheers,
If geeky drinks aren’t your thing, check out a few of the highest-rated vintage, modern, and seasonal cocktail recipes I’ve tried.
A Valentine’s Day cocktail made with brandy, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, balsamic vinegar, aromatic bitters, and strawberry
A tiki cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, demerara syrup, peach liqueur, mint, and pineapple
A spring cocktail made with carrot juice, dill aquavit, honey syrup, lemon juice, caper brine, hot sauce, lime, pimenton salt, and parsley
A modern cocktail made with mezcal, lime juice, blue curaçao, pear brandy, cinnamon syrup, Suze, and orange
A tiki cocktail made with gin, orgeat syrup, lemon juice, orange bitters, and mint
An autumn cocktail made with sparkling wine, pear liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and pear
Cool off with these refreshing cocktail recipes perfect for summertime.
Learn how to make homemade simple syrups, shrubs, and spreads to use in cocktails.
