Carolyn Fath
Spoiler alert: Greyjoy upstages Targaryen.
It’s always fun when a bar program gets a little cerebral. The new menu at Graze, based on characters and themes from Game of Thrones, will give fans plenty to ponder while they sip cocktails with names like Iron Throne, Targaryen and Dothraki.
If House Targaryen is associated with fire and blood, for example, why is its namesake cocktail made with vodka, ginger and Ela Barn Cat apple cider? Is the Lannister made with New Amsterdam gin to conjure nobility and wealth? Brilliant! But then, what is the cardamom allspice syrup supposed to mean?
Also, should any of these drinks be served with a spoiler alert?
With cooler temperatures settling in, I chose the Greyjoy, a strong yet graceful drink made with Bulleit bourbon, shrubbed pear, a bourbon-caramel simple syrup and lemon juice, served up in a martini glass. My first drink reminded me of a bourbon old fashioned, and since I prefer bourbon to brandy, that was fine. In full disclosure, though, I also prefer tart drinks to sweet ones, so I enjoyed my Greyjoy much more the second time, when I asked the bartender to cut the syrup by half. You should always ask for what you want, but that’s especially true if you’re drinking a cocktail named after Yara Greyjoy — a drink strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.
