Authors: Alan Kistler
Tags: #recipes, #cookbook, #Game of Thrones
Ballroom Blackberry Honeycake
One event after another sours Sansa Stark’s life, so much so that she may wonder if she’s cursed by the gods (both old and new) for some twisted amusement. But a life with such trials should be balanced with some sweetness. Sansa takes blackberry honeycakes as a form of comfort in the Queen’s Ballroom. The berries are oddly symbolic of Sansa’s predicament. Once caught in blackberry brambles — so seemingly innocent — their thorns will only dig deeper into the traveler who tries to press forward; the only way out is back. (
A Storm of Swords
, Chapter 59 — Sansa)
Serves 8
1
⁄
4
cup (
1
⁄
2
stick) butter, softened
1
⁄
4
cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1 cup flour
1
1
⁄
2
teaspoons baking powder
1
⁄
3
cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups blackberries, sweetened to taste with honey or sugar
1
⁄
2
cup raw sugar
1
⁄
4
cup (
1
⁄
2
stick) butter, softened
1
⁄
3
cup flour
A Word of Wisdom
This summery crumb cake could be made with any berry to take full advantage of a stolen, peaceful moment.
White Harbor Hippocras
North of the Saltspear, Barrowton is the seat of House Dustin. Here, Roose Bolton meets and plans with others while feasting on White Harbor’s finest imported fare. Casks of hippocras would sweeten any negotiation quickly — thanks to the overwhelming sugar and fine red wine used to make it. (
A Dance with Dragons
, Chapter 32 — Reek)
Makes 2 pints
2 pints red wine, your choice
1 pound sugar
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons ground ginger
1
⁄
2
teaspoon ground black pepper
A Word of Wisdom
Dreamwine from Qarth is also an infused wine. While the exact ingredients are foreign to most Westerosian palates, you can choose your own exotic ingredients to create an equally intoxicating blend. Strong flavors may only take a few days to infuse, but delicate flavors will take longer. Always strain your infused wines well to keep them smooth.
Cersei’s Plum Wine
It’s been said that wine brings out the truth in people. For Queen Cersei, it’s a tool that can bring a sheltered person courage to face the truth. She even keeps flagons of this variety at the ready for her double-edged purposes. Fermented from fruit that likely grew in orchards nourished by the Blackwater, this plum wine might be easy enough for anyone to make, but only the Queen could boast of having the finest. (
A Clash of Kings
, Chapter 60 — Sansa)
10–12 wine bottles
3 pounds wild plums
1
1
⁄
2
gallons water
4 pounds sugar
1 teaspoon wine yeast
2 Campden tablets
A Word of Wisdom
To make your own wine, you’ll need:
Stark Spiced Wine
In the halls of Winterfell, the kitchen staff does what it can to bring warmth to the people of the North. When winter clouds are gathering, even a young man with a name such as Jon Snow can find himself craving warmth. This hot, spiced wine warms the chest and the blood with a hint of southron flavors. (
A Game of Thrones
, Chapter 5 — Jon)
Makes 20 drinks
1 cup sugar
4 cups water
Spiral of lemon peel
18 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 750-ml bottles red dinner wine
A Word of Wisdom
The ironborn might prefer glögg, a similar drink. Just heat (do not boil) 2 bottles of wine, 1 tablespoon of cognac,
1
⁄
2
cup fine sugar, 5 whole cloves, and 2 cinnamon sticks and serve with a side of slivered almonds and raisins.
Stag Strongwine Snifter
“Ours is the Fury!” The motto of the House Baratheon and its sigil, the great stag, make it clear that Baratheons are a passionate people, embracing primal emotion. Robert Baratheon certainly fits the bill, a large man with large desires, especially for strongwine. This cocktail, inspired by the power and flavor of the renowned spirit from the Arbor, is sure to have the power to sate any great man — and to fell him as quickly as its namesake does. (
A Game of Thrones
, Chapter 47 — Eddard)
1 serving
1 ounce cognac
1 ounce Grand Marnier
Pour ingredients into a brandy snifter and serve.
A Word of Wisdom
Cognac is twice-distilled wine. Grand Marnier is a liqueur made of blended cognacs and bittersweet orange. Both boast an alcohol volume of 40%, and the combination is classic.
Tears of Lys
The deadliest and stealthiest of all poisons, tears of Lys is as rare as it is untraceable — the perfect choice for the discerning assassin. This cocktail isn’t quite as lethal as its namesake, but is doubtless a poison worth picking. Cachaça is the perfect spirit for the job: not only is it made from fermented sugarcane juice; home distillers can formulate blindingly strong batches that are more potent than whiskeys and vodkas. The lime hints at its exotic and mysterious origins, and simple syrup further belies this drink’s dark purpose. One sip can erase any lingering doubts about why it so easily catches its victims off-guard … (
A Game of Thrones
, Chapter 30 — Eddard)