Estus

From the Dark Souls video game... 

 

Many modern games prioritize intuitive and painless gameplay, but Dark Souls… well, Dark Souls takes a different approach. It's absolutely brutal, and only the most tenacious gamers can endure it. Estus is the primary healing item in the game, making it a Dark Souls player’s best friend. Its taste is never described, but it looks like liquid sun or fire. 

 

Curious, I asked some Dark Souls fans what they thought Estus might taste like. Responses ranged from “like molten lava” to “like Sunny Delight.” I can’t speak for molten lava (no living person could), but these answers inspired me to create a drink that blends the fiery and citrus-y elements people imagined. While facing near-certain death at every turn, enjoy this bright, burning-yet-refreshing concoction. Praise the sun!

 

Ingredients

 

• 2 ounces Hot Cinnamon Whiskey*
• 2 to 3 ounces Pulp-Free Orange Juice
• 3 to 4 drops Spicy Bitters (optional) 
• 2 to 3 ounces Ginger Beer, chilled
• 1 glass bottle, for serving
  

 

Directions

 

1. Add the cinnamon whiskey (or chosen alternative), orange juice, and spicy bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds until well-chilled.
3. Strain into the serving glass. If you are serving in a glass bottle, you may want to use a funnel. 
4. Add ice to taste.
5. Top off with chilled ginger beer.
6. Try not to die.

 

 

* Alcohol-Free Version: Start by brewing hot cinnamon tea with about 1/2 cup of boiling water, then sweeten it to taste with honey (or even hot honey for a little extra kick). Replace the cinnamon whiskey with 2 to 3 ounces of the tea. Alternatively, you can use 1 ounce of hot cinnamon syrup or another spicy syrup of your choice. Or maybe try a 1:1 swap with a spicy kombucha.

 

Alternative Spicy Spirits: Since I first whipped up this creation, spicy spirits have really taken off. These days, I might reach for a jigger of chili-infused vodka or tequila. Maybe even toss in a splash of ancho chili liqueur. Or, if you’re up for it, you can always craft your own fiery infusion: To a mason jar, add about a cup of your favorite liquor and a sliced habanero pepper and maybe a cinnamon stick. Let it sit for a day or two, shaking it every few hours, then strain out the pepper and cinnamon stick. Add a splash of this hot pepper infusion to your Estus, and you'll be be feeling pretty grossly incandescent, lemme tell ya.

This recipe has been reworded and reformatted for clarity. The method and ingredients have been tweaked for efficiency and better results. I have also added both non-alcoholic and alcoholic alternatives for the cinnamon whiskey.