Spirits Lifted

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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:

Pepper Gin: This is a type of gin made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals, then infusing it with black peppercorns to develop a spicy, botanical flavor.

Russian Vodka: This is a spirit made in Russia with fermented grains or potatoes and water, which are distilled and then filtered to develop a clean, neutral flavor.

Garlic Vodka: This is a type of vodka made with fermented grains or potatoes and water, which are distilled and then infused with garlic to develop a distinct garlicky flavor.

Blanc Vermouth: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and a blend of herbs and botanicals, which are fermented and then fortified with a neutral spirit to develop a light, aromatic flavor.

Paprika Tincture: This is a concentrated flavoring made with paprika peppers and distilled alcohol, which are macerated and infused to develop a smoky, spicy flavor.

Smoke & Salt Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with lapsang souchong tea, sea salt, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a savory, slightly bitter flavor.

Cocktail Onion: This is a vegetable made by preserving small onions in vinegar or brine to develop a sharp, tangy flavor.

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.

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 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