Spirits of the Apocalypse

This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, we're talking about food and drink--two very necessary things in any world, but especially in dystopias.  Food--as in running out or controlling the supply--is a recurrent theme in many dark visions of the future.  The denizens of dystopia may be scraping by on canned food or worse (Soylent Green anyone?), but, they usually find a good stiff drink can make that dreary future a little easier to swallow.

In the Battlestar Galactica universe, Ambrosia, a popular green liquor, is just that drink. Ellen and Saul Tighe toast with it when they’re reunited. Gaeta imbibes a little green courage to get a tattoo. Amanda Graystone and Sister Clarice share a taste for particular variety of it (on Caprica).

Ambrosia is to Galactica as Scotch is to Mad Men.

In the auction of BSG props last year, the  large Ambrosia bottle below went for over $400.  The label says that Ambrosia is  distilled in the Bliffe sector by prisoners who "are treated as well as could be expected considering the hostile planetary conditions."  In the original series, I think the Galactica liberated the prisoners--and a fair number of cases of Ambrosia--as the rag-tag fugitive fleet made it's way out of Dodge.


Since Ambrosia is green, some sci-fi aficionados think it’s absinthe or some kind wine. But the Geeky Chef  put a little more thought into his recipe for it:

Ingredients
6 oz Midori
4 oz Blue Curacao
2 oz lime juice
Ice

Geeky Chef’s recipe directions say to mix in a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction maker, but I bet you can use a blender. Or not.

Can you think of any other drinks inspired by science fiction, fantasy, or dystopian lit?Anyone have a good recipe for a Pan-galactic Gargleblaster? Or Klah? (Bonus points if you know where those are from.)  Or make one up! What drink would you be thankful to down during the days of dystopia?

(Oh, if you do try one of these, please drink responsibly. The world's not coming to an end ... yet.)

10 comments:

Magan said...

The first thing I thought of was HUNGER GAMES and the white liquor that Haymitch drank. I told my husband once that I thought it was Vodka and he responded with, "I don't know what kind of vodka you drink,but mine is clear." Sad...true...story. But thanks for the Galactica recipe! When I'm un-pregnant I may have to whip it up!

Matthew MacNish said...

You're making me think of Zaphod Beeblebrox. Which is awesome. Thanks!

Tere Kirkland said...

I would totally make you a Pa-Galactic Gargle Blaster, but I'm out of Arcturan mega-gin. I do, however, have some bricks and a wedge of lemon. ;)

Tere Kirkland said...

LOL, that's PAN-Galactic. Now I know what happened to my Arcturan mega-gin. ;)

Angela Ackerman said...

I love that you think of details like this and draw attention to them, because it's the things like this that all realism to the world.

I wonder if there is some symbolism behind the green color of the ambrosia?

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Krispy said...

I so want to know what klah tastes like! The only other lit drink that comes to mind at the moment is butterbeer, but I hear you can get that in Florida. ;)

Jeff Hirsch said...

Always been intrigued by that Romulan Ale. It's spoken about in such awed whispers on Star Trek. And it's green!

Angie Smibert said...

Hmm, maybe Haymitch drinks Kahlua, tho he doesn't seem the type.

And Krispy, I agree. Klah always sounds like such a good, warm drink that's perfect after a long day fighting Thread on a dragon.

I think bright green liquors--like ambrosia and Romulan ale--have that absinthe-like allure. Something dangerous and forbidden.

Angie Smibert said...

btw, Jeff, I did find a Romulan Ale recipe, too. http://geekinthecity.com/?p=1777 It involves grain alcohol. (Shudder.)

Krispy, here's a Klah recipe I just found:

http://techguylabs.com/radio/Main/KlahRecipe

Krispy said...

Angie, thanks for the recipe! I will def. have to try it out. Just in time for the cold weather. :)