Dungeon Cocktails: The Action Economy and The Subdual Damage

I made cocktails for my gaming group, and we all lived to tell the tale.

A bugbear enjoys a goblet of something refreshing.

The Action Economy: One is good, two is better, but three will break the game.

The Subdual Damage: (Mocktail) When you're not actually trying to take someone out.

I made these for Session 3 of the Operation: Unfathomable! campaign.

These drinks make use of a homemade shrub that is absolutely worth the effort of mixing up a day in advance.

Cirtus Spice Shrub (and Infusion)

5 medium lemons, peeled (fruit reserved)

1 small grapefruit, peeled (fruit reserved)

1¼ cup sugar

1½ tsp whole black peppercorns, crushed

1/2 tsp allspice berries, crushed

3 cloves, crushed

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tsp dried thyme

2 bay leaves

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

A mix of citrus peel and whole spices in a bowl of sugar

Muddle for about 5-10 minutes to release the oils from the peels into the sugar. Set aside at room temperature overnight. In the morning, the sugar should look wet and the peels almost translucent.

The shrub: Juice reserved fruit. Mix w/ dry ingredients until the sugar and salt dissolve. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids to get every drop.

Using a fine mesh strainer to drain the shrub into a glass measuring cup

The infusion: Reserve the solids from the shrub and pour two cups of boiling water over them. Let sit for about five minutes, and then strain again.

You now have two amber liquids: the shrub and the infusion. Both are great ways to spruce up various beverages.

Two plastic containers, one labeled "Shrub," the other "Infusion"

The Action Economy

1 oz shrub

3 dashes orange bitters

3 oz gin

1 oz vodka

1 ice cube

Mix ingredients in a container with a top. Keep in the freezer for about an hour, until ice cube has melted. Garnish with citrus peel.

Picture of a cocktail in a martini glass

This is basically a Vesper with shrub instead of Lillet. As such, it is martini-strength, and should be served and sipped accordingly.

The Action Economy Party Mix (serves 7)

1 cup shrub

1/4 cup Martini & Rossi Fiero

1 cups vodka

3 cups gin

7 ice cubes

The Subdual Damage (No-ABV)

1 cup shrub

2 cups infusion

1/4 cup lemon or lime juice

1 liter club soda

1 cup tonic water

7 or more ice cubes

Mix in a large container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Comments

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