Buzz
Have you ever imagined sipping a drink that embodies the spirit of your favorite characters from books, TV shows, movies, or video games? Great news! Thanks to the imaginative and playful efforts of amateur mixologists, you can now enjoy cocktails inspired exclusively by iconic pop culture figures.
A special shoutout to The Drunken Moogle, a hub for crafting pop culture-themed cocktails.
1. Harry Potter
Although the Harry Potter series is aimed at younger audiences, its frequent mentions of Butterbeer and Firewhiskey have inspired adult fans to craft their own versions. In fact, Butterbeer recipes might outnumber those of any other fictional drink. While the books don’t specify if Butterbeer contains alcohol or is simply named like root beer, the most delightful cocktail version combines butterscotch schnapps, cream soda, and whipped cream, as featured on Little Pink Blog.
Little Pink Blog offers an entire collection of Harry Potter-themed cocktails, featuring drinks inspired by Hermione, Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, and The Golden Snitch. However, the standout is the Goblet of Fire, a flaming mix of vodka, blue Curacao, lemonade, Bacardi 151, and a dash of cinnamon.
2. The Avengers
Following the movie's release last summer, numerous drink recipes inspired by its characters surfaced online. Among the most detailed collections is the one crafted by Lily Mitchell and Paul Harasiwka of The More I Arty. The standout is the God of Thunder, a tribute to Thor, blending mead, Lillehammer, and lingonberry vodka.
Comic site MegaCynics also developed a range of Avengers-themed drinks, with The Hulk being the most striking. It begins as a Bruce Banner (1 part vanilla vodka and 4 parts club soda) and transforms into The Hulk with the addition of a gamma bomb (3 drops of green food coloring and 1 ounce of your preferred alcohol).
3. Pokemon
For Pokemon enthusiasts, the concept of evolution is familiar—creatures grow stronger with experience. This idea translates seamlessly into cocktails. The Drunken Moogle offers three evolving drink sets: a Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard; a Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu; and a Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise. The Squirtle line stands out, as each stage retains ingredients from its predecessor, growing more potent with every evolution.
4. Final Fantasy
With 14 games in the Final Fantasy series, it’s no surprise that it has inspired a plethora of cocktails. The Drunken Moogle boasts 24 drink recipes tied to the franchise. Many pay homage to Final Fantasy VII, a fan-favorite title. To immerse yourself in this fantasy world, try the Phoenix Down (pictured above), a blend of absinthe, zwack, simple syrup, grenadine, and club soda.
5. Mario Bros
Mario’s enduring popularity has naturally led to a range of inspired cocktails. When Denmark’s Scrollbar hosted a Mario-themed event, they crafted ten unique drinks for the night. The Yoshi, a mix of Apple Pucker, Melon Bols, lime juice, and apple juice, became so beloved that it earned a permanent spot on their menu. While the 1-Up shot might not have matched the Yoshi in flavor, its white and green frosting made it a visual standout.
For a festive geek-themed drink, consider trying Yoshi’s Eggnog, designed to resemble Yoshi’s egg and delivering the rich, spiced flavors of classic eggnog with a boozy twist.
6. Breaking Bad
A fan of Breaking Bad but not interested in meth? Opt for a Blue Sky or a Heisenberg cocktail. The Blue Sky (pictured above) captures the “Crystal Blue Persuasion” vibe with its blend of cotton candy vodka, UV Blue, and Sprite, offering both authentic flavor and color. Meanwhile, the Heisenberg stands out visually, served in an Erlenmeyer Flask with dry ice, though it’s essentially a gin and tonic enhanced with food coloring.
7. Lost
For those who enjoy adding dry ice to their drinks, the Lost-themed Smoke Monster is a must-try. This cocktail combines Sprite, mint, vodka, food coloring, and, of course, dry ice for a dramatic effect.
8. Pulp Fiction
To truly shock your guests with your presentation, serve the Adrenaline Shot. While it may unsettle the more timid attendees, those daring enough to try it will be rewarded with a mix of Redbull, cherry vodka, and Amaretto that delivers both flavor and a burst of energy.
9. Resident Evil
Zombie enthusiasts with a flair for presentation will love The Drunken Moogle’s Resident Evil-inspired drinks. Their T Virus and T Virus Antidote (pictured above) are simple shots enhanced by a flavored Twizzler twisted in the glass, mimicking their in-game counterparts.
If you find yourself injured while battling the infected, you can attempt to heal by combining colored herbs into a visually appealing and flavorful shot. The red herb blends grenadine and 5 Hour Energy; the green herb mixes Midori and Green Apple Pucker; and the yellow shot combines gold rum and honey bourbon.
10. How I Met Your Mother
For a cocktail directly referenced in a TV series—despite the writers likely assuming no one would actually make it—try the Thankstini. This unique drink mixes cranberry juice, potato vodka, and bullion to replicate the taste of a “turkey dinner.” According to The Campus Companion, the flavor isn’t unpleasant, as the bullion adds a subtle salty twist to the cosmopolitan.
As someone who doesn’t handle alcohol well, I’d likely opt for the butterbeer or Yoshi’s eggnog, as they seem the least potent. But for those with a higher tolerance, which of these cocktails would you choose? Or do you have your own pop culture-inspired drink recipes to share?
