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Cocktail History
The Spirits Lifted is a Marvel cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts, for the release of the WandaVision television show. It’s a boozy interpretation of paprikash, Wanda Maximoff’s favorite dish that Vision attempted to make in one of their first scenes together in the movie Captain America: Civil War. It’s made using the classic Martini formula with a split base of peppered gin, Russian vodka, and garlic vodka and is flavored with vermouth, a homemade paprika tincture, smoke and salt bitters, and cocktail onions.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Peppered Gin: This is a spirit made with pepper, juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Uncle Val’s Peppered Gin.
Russian Vodka: This is a spirit made with grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. I used Russian Standard Gold Vodka.
Garlic Vodka: This is the third base spirit. It adds garlic flavor. I used Chippewa River Distillery Trumie’s Garlic Vodka.
Blanc Vermouth: This is a fortified wine made with grapes, sugar, botanicals, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. I used Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambéry.
Paprika Tincture: This is a concentrated extract made with paprika and alcohol.
Smoke & Salt Bitters: This is a food product made with lapsang souchong tea, sea salt, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Crude Bitters “Pooter” Smoke & Salt Bitters.
Cocktail Onions: These are miniature onions that have been preserved in vinegar.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the Homestia Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Orange-red color
• Aroma: Paprika and onion
• Taste: Rich peppery juniper flavor accented with garlic, onion, and paprika
• Finish: Fortified wine and botanical notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “I’ve never tried paprikash, but judging from the list of ingredients, I don’t think it could get closer to creating a version of it in cocktail form than this recipe. It’s fairly dry and very savory, so I don’t know that I’d make it again over other Marvel cocktails, but I love how much this cocktail pays homage to the beginning of Vision’s and Wanda Maximoff’s relationship, of which we get to see even more in WandaVision. If you’re a fan of the show or paprikash in general, the Spirits Lifted is worth trying at least once!”
Recipe
Spirits Lifted
The Spirits Lifted is a Marvel cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts, for the release of the WandaVision television show. It's a boozy interpretation of paprikash, Wanda Maximoff's favorite dish that Vision attempted to make in one of their first scenes together in the movie Captain America: Civil War. It's made using the classic Martini formula with a split base of peppered gin, Russian vodka, and garlic vodka and is flavored with vermouth, a homemade paprika tincture, smoke and salt bitters, and cocktail onions.

Ingredients
Method
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Add peppered gin, vodka, garlic vodka, blanc vermouth, paprika tincture, bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
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Stir for 30-45 seconds.
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Strain into a cocktail glass.
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Garnish with cocktail onions.