If you’ve been playing Bioware’s latest installment in the Dragon Age series, you’ll know how difficult it is to tear yourself away from Dragon Age: Inquisition. However, if there’s going to be one reason to stop venturing through the Hinterlands, one reason to have you pause whatever romance you’re attempting with a particular party member, one reason to stop collecting Elfroot, we hope the allure of pairing Dragon Age party members with alcoholic beverages will be that reason.
As fans of the series, we’ve created cocktails that celebrate each follower seen in the three games: Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition. In addition, we’ve also added three ‘honorable mention’ cocktails inspired by three characters we feel add a special something to the games they feature in. Before we begin, I’d like to give a very special thank you to Joe for doing all of the writing, and to Christine for helping to create the cocktails and their names. Now, without any further preamble, we present to you Save Game’s Dragon Age Cocktails.
Dragon Age: Origins Party Members
Witch of the Wilds – Morrigan
Perhaps no other follower in Dragon Age is as mysterious as Morrigan. A Witch of the Wilds, she spent much of her life in isolation, honing her magic far from those who might oppose her. When she joins the Warden’s quest, she is aloof and bemused, as if she already knows how events will play out. Perhaps she did. Never one for sentimentality or generosity, Morrigan values power, and the freedom to use it, above all else. Should you prove yourself worthy to her, you can seemingly win her heart. But whether it is after the final battle or before, she will leave you to pursue her own shadowy goals. A mystery to the last. Her cocktail is equally mysterious. A mixture of sweetness and sting, colored with Morrigan’s signature shade of purple, you never know what to expect from it. But just like Morrigan herself, it will leave you wanting more.
Recipe
1 oz Silver Tequila
1/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Chambord
Dash of lemon juice
Ribena to fill (for that signature Morrigan purple)
Asala – Sten
When you first encounter Sten, he is in a cage, sentenced to death for murders he admits to committing. But even in that pitiful state, the Qunari warrior is still an imposing figure. Recruiting Sten into your party saves him from his grim fate, and gains you an ally who is as powerful as he is stoic. At first, Sten rejects all attempts to learn about his past, displaying a fatalistic view of the world in which honor and duty are the only things that matter. Despite his best efforts, however, Sten’s softer side does eventually shine through. He displays a fondness for flowers, and affection for a kitten. But his greatest weakness is cookies. Or as he calls them, “baked things, like bread, but sweet and crumbly.” Much like Sten, his cocktail is a big softie. A sweet mixture of chocolate, coconut, and hazelnut liquors, it is topped with a cookie, making it a treat nobody can resist. Not even a Qunari..
Recipe
1/2 oz Bailey’s Chocolat Lux
1/2 oz Malibu Coconut rum
1/2 oz Frangelico Hazelnut Liqeuer
Milk to fill
Garnish with a cookie on top (push a straw through it)
The Spirit Healer – Wynne
In all of Ferelden, you are unlikely to find a more faithful servant of the Circle than Wynne. A true believer in the power of magic to better humankind, she is also quite aware of the dangers posed by mages who cannot control their abilities. Once she joins the Warden’s quest against the Blight, she becomes the voice of morality, always urging you to do what is right and just. But being a devotee of the Circle doesn’t mean Wynne can’t let her hair down every now and then. A fan of fine wine, she has even been known to indulge in dwarven ale. She is also a formidable presence on the battlefield, hitting hard with elemental attacks. Her cocktail, therefore, hits just as hard. Mixing red wine with rum, cachaca and elderflower, the drink is topped off with a cinnamon stick and a pinch of nutmeg. Strong, elegant, with a hint of whimsy. Just as Wynne would like it.
Recipe
6 oz Red Wine
1/2 oz Dark Rum
1/2 oz Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 oz Cachaca
1 1/2 oz Honey
1 stick of cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Garnish with a lemon peel
The Passion Assassin – Zevran
To say that your first meeting with Zevran is a bit awkward would be an understatement. An assassin for hire, he was enlisted by Loghain to kill the Warden and Alistair. But the battle does not go well for Zevran, and he ends up pledging to serve the Warden in exchange for his life. Zevran makes a formidable ally, equally skilled with the blade as he is with the bow. A natural flirt, Zevran has a rather prolific sexual history which he will be more than happy to share with you, should you inquire. Pursue a romance with him, however, and his cavalier attitude towards sex will eventually give way to a much deeper connection; one which will endure even if the Warden takes the killing blow. To celebrate Zevran’s alluring ways, his cocktail begins with a hefty amount of passionfruit liqueur, balanced with grape vodka, white rum, and Midori Melon to create a blend as smooth and seductive as Zevran himself.
Recipe
2 oz Passionfruit Liqueur
1/2 oz Grape Vodka
1/2 oz White Rum
1/2 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
Lemonade/Lemon Lime and Bitters to fill
Garnish with a lime peel
First Knight – Alistair
Dashing charmer, trusted ally, oafish dullard. Alistair is many things to many people. The illegitimate son of King Maric, Alistair spent most of his youth in the Circle, training to become a Templar. But religious devotion was never his strong suit, and he eventually left to join the Grey Wardens. He is the first companion to join the Hero of Ferelden’s quest, barely surviving the Blight and vowing to help slay the Archdemon. Alistair can always be counted on for a witty one liner or a sarcastic retort, but his comedic nature masks a deeply conflicted psyche, torn between the duties of his birthright, and his personal desires. A warrior by trade, but a romantic at heart, Alistair’s cocktail is as strong as it is sweet. Splashes of strawberry liqueur and vodka are added to Rose Liqueur, with a cherry garnish added to symbolize that certain something he loses, should you invite him to spend the night in your tent.
Recipe
1/2 oz Rose Liqueur
1/4 oz Strawberry Liqueur
1/4 oz Vodka
Garnish with a cherry
Nightingale – Leliana
Once a bard skilled at playing the Grand Game of the Orlesian court, Leliana was betrayed by her lover and mentor, and sought refuge in Ferelden, becoming a Sister in the Chantry. Believing that the Maker had tasked her with aiding the Warden’s quest, she seeks you out, vowing to help defeat the Blight. Leliana is compassionate and optimistic, charming, even bubbly at times. But her sweet demeanor belies her lethal skills on the battlefield, and the passion that ignites within her should she and the Warden fall in love. Be advised that the path to Leliana’s heart requires patience, good deeds, and an appreciation for song and storytelling. Oh, and a pet nug couldn’t hurt either. Leliana’s cocktail mixes smoked bourbon and Chambord with honey, ginger beer and strawberries. Much like the bard herself, it starts off innocent and sweet, but becomes bolder and stronger with each passing sip.
Recipe
2 oz Bourbon (smoked)
1/4 oz Chambord
Half a teaspoon of honey
Dash of bitters
Fill with ginger beer
Add 1 strawberry finely diced
Garnish with whole strawberry
The Found Cake – Dog
WOOF! OMG DOG LOVE WARDEN SO SO BIG. WARDEN SAVE DOG FROM DARK THINGS. DOG BITE DARK THINGS. DARK THINGS TASTE BAD. MUCH GROSS. VERY BARF. WOW. DOG GET TO MAKE OWN DRINK. HAPPY BARK! DOG LIKE SHOT. BIG DRINK TAKE TOO LONG. DOG MAKE DRINK MANY COLOR. LIKE WARDEN COLOR DOG. WARDEN CALL COLOR KADDIS. WHAT KADDIS IS DOG NOT KNOW. SHOT TASTE GOOD. NOT LIKE DARK THINGS. DOG GO NOW. HAS THINGS TO SNIFF. WOOF!
Recipe
1/3 oz Baileys
1/3 oz Creme de Cacao
1/3 oz Butterscotch Liqueur
Garnish with strawberry syrup and cream (kaddis)
Pigeon on the Rocks – Shale
Shale is a Golem; a dwarven warrior turned to stone to fight the first Blight a thousand years ago. Left forgotten and dormant in the Deep Roads for centuries, it was eventually found and brought back to the surface, only to be abandoned again, unable to move yet fully conscious, acting as a bird perch for 30 years. As you can imagine, it’s a little bitter about the situation. Liberated from it’s plight by the Warden, Shale agrees to join the Warden’s party, out of a desire to see new surroundings more than anything else. Shale has a rather high opinion of itself, constantly referring to everyone else in the party as “it.” And while Shale makes a powerful ally in battle, it’s thoughts never stray too far from it’s desire to eradicate the damnable feathered fiends from all of Thedas. Beyond slaughtering pigeons, Shale’s other passion is gemstones, and thus her cocktail is made up spirits tinged with topaz, amethyst, ruby and diamond.
Recipe
2 oz Hpnotiq
1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Parfait Amour
Splash of Pinapple Juice
Splash of Grenadine
Garnish with an Orange quarter
Place pop rocks around rim
Asschabs – Oghren
Drunkard, outcast, cold blooded murderer. Oghren has been called many things, and he will admit to most of them being true. Once revered as a powerful warrior, he belonged to a noble dwarven house, and was married to a Paragon of the dwarven people. But when his wife and his entire house were lost to the Deep Roads, Oghren became a pariah. He now spends most of his time drinking. And when he’s not drinking, he’s bragging about being the perfect height to give human women a good time. He even keeps track of how many different ales he’s tried. 27 at last count. While his cocktail doesn’t contain that many spirits, it would still make its namesake proud. A mixture of stout, lager and pale ales, it also contains dashes of whiskey, worcestershire and Tobasco for kick. Finally, the glass is lined with spices to make a concoction so potent, it would make the whiskers of Oghren’s beard twitch.
Recipe
1/3 stout beer
1/3 lager beer
1/3 pale ale
2 oz whiskey
Dashes of worcestershire and tobasco sauce
Line rim of glass with honey
Place salt, paprika and cayenne pepper onto plate, stir together with fork until combined and rim glass with this mixture
The Hard Choice – Loghain
Reviled as a traitor by most, heralded as a hero by some, there is perhaps no more controversial a figure in all of Thedas that Loghain Mac Tir. Together with King Maric Theirin, he led the rebellion that drove the Orlesian Empire out of Ferelden. A deeply patriotic man, he felt it was his duty in life to protect his homeland, no matter the cost. It was that loyalty to Ferelden that led him to betray the Grey Wardens and Theirin’s son at Ostagar, leaving them to be slaughtered by darkspawn. That choice doomed him to either execution, or conscription into the Grey Wardens, a shell of his former self. Much like the man himself, Loghain’s drink is bitter and hard to swallow. A bracing blend of Jagermeister, Sambuca and Grenadine, mixed with lemon juice and ginger beer, it is not a drink for the timid or weak. But there is virtue within it waiting to be uncovered, if you are determined enough to try.
Recipe
1 oz Jagermeister
1/4 oz Sambuca
1/4 oz Grenadine
Splash of lemon juice
Ginger beer to fill
Dragon Age 2 Party Members
Siren’s Call – Isabela
“‘And then Isabela went to the Chantry and saw that it was boring.’ Canticle of Isabela, stanza one, verse one.” That one quote pretty much tells you all you need to know about Isabela. No patience for ceremony or convention, always on the lookout for an adventure, never afraid to share her opinion, whether or not you want to hear it. And a wit as sharp as her twin blades. The captain of a pirate ship, she finds herself marooned in Kirkwall when her boat is wrecked in a storm. She joins Hawke’s party as a matter of convenience, and even flees the city at one point to save her own skin. But beneath her care free exterior lies a guilty conscience, and a heart which is quick to flirt, but wary of love. A romance with Isabela can be challenging at times, but it will never, ever be boring. While Isabela loves to drink, she has a lot of enemies, so it’s a bad idea to leave her back to the door for any length of time. Therefore, Isabela’s drink is a blended shot of dark and spiced rum with mango syrup. Line them up, knock them down, and always be ready for the next pub clearing brawl.
Recipe
1/3 oz Dark Rum
1/3 oz Spiced Rum
1/3 oz Mango Syrup
Garnish with salt glitter around the shot glass
Big Girl – Aveline
With the exception of Hawke’s own family, no one has stood by Hawke longer than Aveline. A veteran of the Ferelden Army, she just barely escaped the Blight, but lost her husband along the way. She becomes Captain of the Guard in Kirkwall, and plays a pivotal role in the events that transpire there. Compassionate and kind, with a strong sense of morality and justice, Aveline is Hawke’s conscience, always trying to steer the Champion of Kirkwall towards making the ethical choice. As such, she often clashes with Hawke’s more morally ambiguous companions, especially Isabela. While the two hate each other at first, they form a begrudging respect over time, with Isabela even helping Aveline eventually learn to love again. Named after Isabela’s affectionate nickname for her, Aveline’s cocktail is a blend of triple sec and peach schapps served in a shot glass. Colored to match her ginger hair, it is a uniquely potent concoction. Much like Aveline herself.
Recipe
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Peach Schnapps
Chase the shot with a pint of Hoegaarden Beer
Justice and Vengeance – Anders
Of all the party members in Dragon Age 2, there is none more controversial than Anders. A mage and former Grey Warden, he is first encountered working as a healer, helping refugees from Ferelden. He is noble and charming, with an affinity for cats. But he is far from a simple care giver. Forced into the Circle at a young age, he has committed his life to the liberation of mages, and is furious at what he sees as the oppression of his kind. To pursue his goal, he took the radical step of joining with the spirit of Justice. But the anger inside of Anders corrupts Justice, turning it into Vengeance, and guiding him down a dark path which ends in the destruction of Kirkwall’s Chantry. Whether viewed as the murderous act of a madman, or the opening shot in a righteous war to free all mages, there is no doubt that Anders changed the course of history. It is the struggle between justice and vengeance that inspires his drink. Two shots, the first sweet, the second bitter, is a fitting metaphor for the dual nature of Anders, and the role he plays in the tale of the Champion.
Recipe
Justice:
1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Hpnotiq
Vengeance:
1/2 oz Sambuca
1/2 oz Raspberry Liqueur
Layer of overproof rum on top to burn
The Reluctant Mage – Bethany Hawke
Like many of the characters in Dragon Age 2, Bethany Hawke never wanted to be a hero. As an Apostate mage, she was content to lead a quiet life on the outskirts of Lothering. But she was swept up into events that were beyond her control. As Hawke’s sister, she accompanied her family in their attempt to escape the Blight rampaging through Ferelden. If she survived, she became a trusted, if somewhat reluctant, ally of Hawke as they tried to secure a future for their family in Kirkwall. Depending on Hawke’s actions throughout the game, Bethany can meet with a number of wildly different fates, from death in the Deep Roads, to joining the Circle, to becoming a Grey Warden. Kind and generous at heart, she lives with the guilt of knowing how much her family sacrificed to keep her safe, and she would occasionally wonder if they’d be better off without her. Because of this, her drink is somewhat mellow. A mixture of Galiano and creme de cacao with chai tea, milk and cinnamon, it nonetheless packs a punch, much like the mage herself.
Recipe
1 oz Galiano
1/2 oz White Creme de Cacao
FIll with Chai Tea (with milk) (hot or cold – your choice)
Sprinkle cinnamon on top
Junior – Carver
Unlike his twin sister Bethany, Carver Hawke had ambitions beyond his humble upbringing. As a member of the Ferelden army, he fought in the Battle of Ostagar. But the Darkspawn’s victory forced him to flee, along with his family, from their homeland to the city of Kirkwall. He had to work a year in servitude as payment for entrance into the city, causing him to develop a somewhat bitter and resentful view of life there. He yearns to step out from behind the shadow of his more powerful sibling. This, along with a worsening opinion of mages, leads him to join the Templars, potentially putting him at odds with Hawke. But in the end, Carver proves that loyalty to his family is more important that this own ambitions. Carver’s drink symbolizes both his power as a warrior, and the bitterness he carries within him. A blend of vodka and sambuca, it is filled with coffee, and topped with a dash of lemon bitters.
Recipe
1 1/2 oz Sambuca
1/2 oz Vodka
Fill with coffee (cold or hot – your choice)
Add a dash of lemon bitters
Little Wolf – Fenris
When you meet Fenris, he is carrying a very large chip on his shoulder, and with good reason. An escaped slave of the Tevinter magister Danarius, he is a scarred man, both literally and figuratively. During his enslavement, Danarius performed twisted experiments on him, covering the elf with tattoos infused with lyrium. This turned Fenris into a weapon of immense power, but also caused him to lose all of his memories. Now on the run, hunted by agents of his former master, Fenris has only one purpose in life: revenge. Choose to aid Fenris on his quest for vengeance, however, and he will learn that he is far more than just a weapon. A romance with Fenris is a frustrating, if ultimately rewarding affair. With patience, you will find a caring and selfless heart, forever haunted by his time as a slave. For his drink, Fenris gets a mixed shot of absinthe and Hypnotiq to match the color of his markings. Much like his fighting style, the shot is powerful and hits hard.
Recipe
1/3 oz Hypnotiq
1/4 oz Absinthe
1/4 oz Sour mix
1/4 oz Blue Curacao
Choir Boy – Sebastian
It’s entirely possible to play Dragon Age 2 without ever encountering Sebastian Vael. But honestly, why would you want to do that? A son of the ruling family of Starkhaven, he rejected royal politics for a life of chastity and poverty as a brother of the Chantry in Kirkwall. But like many characters in Dragon Age 2, his life is forever changed by circumstances beyond his control. When his family is murdered, Sebastian becomes consumed with vengeance, offering a reward to anyone who can slay his family’s killers. Should you aid Sebastian in his quest for revenge, he will eventually become a member of Hawke’s party. A deeply religious and principled man, Sebastian has an unflinching sense of right and wrong. Even so, it is possible to bring out a more playful side of him, if you have the patience. A blend of apricot brandy and vanilla liqueur with milk, Sebastian’s drink seems well mannered at first. But an added kick of spiced rum provides just a hint of naughtiness lurking beneath the calm facade.
Recipe
Spiral honey around the glass
1 oz Apricot Brandy
1/2 oz Vanilla Liqueur
1/3 oz Spiced Rum
Fill with milk
Dalish Daisy – Merril
Poor Merril. All she wanted to do was help her people. She just chose to do it in the worst possible way. As the First of her clan, Merrill was a skilled mage and a scholar of elven history. Through her studies, she became convinced that restoring an ancient Eluvian would somehow help her clan regain some of its lost civilization. To go about this, she sought the help of demons and blood magic to rebuild the Eluvian, and purge it of Darkspawn taint. Bad idea. This led to expulsion from her tribe, and ultimately, the death of the tribe’s Keeper. Despite her hardships, Merrill has a curious and optimistic nature, quick to advocate mercy whenever possible. Her tendency to babble often brings out her self deprecating sense of humor, endearing her to fellow party members Isabela and Varric. Much like Merrill, her drink is very sweet, but with a hint of bitterness. Colored green and brown to match her armor, the drink is capped with a maraschino cherry as a reminder of Merrill’s fateful use of blood magic.
Recipe
1 oz Creme de Menthe
1 oz Brown Creme de Cacao
Fill with milk and add a scoop of mint ice-cream
Add green and brown sprinkles on top
Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Bait and Switch – Tallis
It doesn’t take long to realize that Tallis is not an ordinary Qunari. A spry and spirited elf with crimson red hair, she is just about the farthest thing from the massive, horned warriors taking up residence in Kirkwall. Born in Tevinter, she was sold into slavery by her parents, and eventually rescued by the Qunari. Tallis converted to life under the Qun, and joined the Ben-Hassrath, becoming a skilled spy and assassin. You first meet Tallis when she approaches Hawke under the guise of recovering a stolen jewel from an Orlesian noble. But her true mission is far more urgent. More than anything, Tallis wants to make a difference in the world, and with Hawke’s help, she is finally able to do just that. Tallis’s signature drink is a pair of shots, akin to a one-two strike from her daggers, and are colored to match her signature hair and clothing.
Bait:
1/3 oz Cachaca
1/3 oz Sparkling wine
1/3 oz Pomegranate juice
Switch:
1/3 oz Green Chartreuse
1/3 oz Kiwi Vodka
1/3 oz Lime juice
Asha’bellanar – Flemeth
Though not a party member, perhaps no other character has had more influence over the events of Dragon Age than Flemeth. She has gone by many names; The Witch of the Wilds, Asha’bellanar, Flemeth, and others. Legends about her have existed throughout the history of Thedas. Unlike most legends, however, this one is true. A seemingly immortal entity of immense power, she undoubtedly could wield far more control over Thedas than she does. But instead, she decides to use her influence in more subtle ways. She has rescued both the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall from almost certain death, changing the course of history. But her reasons remain a mystery to all. Except to her, of course. In her own words, “There is always a catch. Life is a catch! I suggest you catch it while you can.” Flemeth’s drink is a mix of white rum, ruby port, Saskatoon berry syrup and freshly squeezed lime juice, with honey, nutmeg, and a lime peel garnish. Its taste is tribute to both her complexity, and the mystery that surrounds her.
Recipe
1 1/2 oz White Rum
1/2 oz Ruby Port
1/2 oz Saskatoon Berry Syrup
1/2 oz squeezed lime juice
Dollup of honey
Add nutmeg and lime peel to garnish
Dragon Age: Inquisition Party Members
Broody Beard – Blackwall
The Grey Wardens were created long ago to fight the first Blight, and since then, the order has remained vigilant in their struggle to rid Thedas of darkspawn. But Blackwall is a Grey Warden of a different sort. He is not content to simply wait and watch for the next Blight. He seeks out injustice and abuses of power, using his abilities to fight for those who cannot. While his skills in battle are unmatched, he finds no glory in war, and does not consider himself above any other soldier who takes up arms to fight for a worthy cause. When he discovers that his order might be under the control of Corypheus, he joins the Inquisition to help save not only the Grey Wardens, but all of Thedas. A romance with him will reveal a noble, humble man who carries scars, both visible and not. His drink, a mix of espresso vodka and black bourbon is both strong and bitter, and is as black as his name.
Recipe
1/2 oz Espresso Vodka
1/2 oz Black Bourbon
Fill with Guiness
Guilty Pleasure – Cassandra
Cassandra Pentaghast is perhaps best described as a symbol of the enduring power of faith. Her belief in the Maker has not only shaped her life, it gave her the strength to endure, and ultimately triumph over challenges that could have broken her. As a Seeker and the Right Hand of Divine Justinia, she is the sword of the Chantry, protecting it from threats both external and internal. But when Justinia is killed in the Breach explosion, Cassandra is forced to take an even more active role in not only saving the Chantry, but the entire world as well. She uses both her prowess on the battlefield, and her counsel off of it, to keep the Inquisitor on a just and moral path. Pursue a romance with her, and you will discover that behind the sword and shield is a woman who desires to be loved, and to be courted with flowers and poetry. It is this duality between warrior and romantic that inspires her drink. A blend of bourbon, moscato and mandarin liquor, it is a potent yet surprisingly sweet experience, much like Cassandra herself.
Recipe
1/2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Moscato
1/4 oz Mandarin Liqueur
Fill with Champagne
Fade Out – Cole
Cole is a mystery, not only to those who come into contact with him, but to himself as well. Cole exists somewhere in the space between the living world, and the ethereal realm of the Fade, which makes him neither spirit nor human. So what exactly is he? This is the question that Cole struggles with, and it is a burden that no one else in the Inquisition can hope to understand. Despite his hardships, Cole is a caring, compassionate individual who has the ability to secretly bring comfort to those in times of great sorrow. While his good deeds go unnoticed by those he helps, it is the act of helping that matters to him, not the gratitude it might bring. Cole’s drink is tinted to match the colors of the Fade, and is as strong as his resolve to help those in need. The opposing natures of absinthe and vanilla vodka echo the choice Cole must eventually face: to cling to his remaining humanity, or fully embrace his spiritual reality.
Recipe
1/2 oz Absinthe
2/3 oz Vanilla vodka
Scribbles – Josephine
No matter how strong the Inquisition’s army becomes, sometimes a delicate touch is more effective than brute force. That is where Josephine Montilyet shines. Born into a prominent Antivan family, Josephine was raised amongst nobility, and grew to become an ambassador skilled at navigating the often murky waters of royal politics. As the Inquisitor’s chief diplomat, it is her job to forge alliances between all of the disparate parties of Thedas, and rally them under the banner of the Inquisition. What would be an overwhelming task to many is handled with finesse and grace by Josephine, who can always be found with quill and parchment in hand, ready to tackle her next assignment. Josephine brings a refined elegance and an optimistic, level headed attitude to the Inquisition, and it is those qualities that inspire her drink. A blend of white wine, mango liqueur, tequila and cachaca, it is accented with dashes of honey and bitters, and filled with orange juice to match the colors of her vibrant clothing.
Recipe
1 oz Tequila
1/2 oz White Wine
1/3 oz Mango Liqueur
1/3 oz Cachaca
Dash of honey
Dash of bitters
Fill with Orange Juice
Setheneran – Solas
Solas isn’t exactly what you would call a “people person.” An Elven apostate mage who holds no allegiance to either the Dalish or city elves, his magical abilities are completely self taught, and he lives a life of isolation in the wilderness. He spends most of his time exploring the Fade, and has a vast knowledge of both what lies beyond the Veil, and the spirits that reside there. This gives him a unique insight into the Breach, and makes him an invaluable addition to the Inquisition. Solas can come off as aloof and somewhat cold, showing little interest in the war between mages and Templars. But as distant as he may appear, there is a measured purpose to everything Solas does, as if there is a greater cause he is fighting for which he keeps hidden to all but himself. His drink is a complex blend of gin, sweet and sour mix, sour apple pucker, whiskey and blue curacao. Filled with lemonade, it appears calm and inviting at first, but has powers and dangers hidden within it to be discovered, much like Solas himself.
Recipe
1 oz Gin
1 oz Sweet and Sour Mix
1/2 oz Whiskey
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1/3 oz sour apple pucker
Fill with Lemonade
Iron Lady – Vivienne
Vivienne knows what she wants, and she knows how to get it. She has her own principles and sense of objective, and woe to anyone who stands in her way. She used her position as the official enchanter of the Orlesian court to become a close advisor of Empress Celene, making her one of the most powerful and influential mages in all of Thedas. She can wield her political power as deftly as her magic, often winning her battles without summoning a single spell. She is fiercely pro-Circle, and views the mage rebellion with disdain. This brings her into conflict with the other mages of the Inquisition, but she displays a steely confidence in her beliefs that never waivers. Vivienne enjoys the finer things in life, and carries the elegance of Orlais wherever she goes. This is reflected in her drink, which blends strawberry liqueur with brandy, Campari and rose champagne. But it also reminds you that Vivienne has a bite to her, like the tail of a scorpion. Respect her, but fear her.
Recipe
1/2 oz Strawberry Liqueur
1/3 oz Brandy
1/3 oz Campari
Fill with Rose Champagne
Garnish with a Hibiscus Flower
The Storyteller – Varric
A companion of both Hawke and the Inquisitor, Varric has been present for many of the defining events in the recent history of Thedas, which is a fact he is more than happy to share with anyone who will listen. A surface dwarf with no strong ties to Orzammar, he is gregarious, sarcastic, and a natural storyteller who can often be found in taverns, telling tales of adventure and romance. How much of his stories are actual truth, and how much is exaggeration, is a subject open to much debate. Beyond his oratory skills, Varric is an expert marksman, and will rarely be caught without his trusty crossbow, Bianca. He is a loyal and steadfast friend who can always be counted upon to have your back, whether it be in the heat of battle, or the cold chill of an interrogation. Varric’s drink is a blend of whiskey and apple brandy, with dashes of honey and bitters. Filled with hot pear cider, it’s the perfect drink to cradle and savour all night while listening to another long storytelling session.
Recipe
1 oz Whiskey
1/2 oz Apple Brandy
Dash of Bitters
Dash of Honey
Fill with Hot Pear Cider
Perserverance – Cullen
If Cullen has proven anything over the course of three Dragon Age games, it is that he is a survivor. From childhood, all he wanted to do was become a Templar, and he dedicated more than half his life to the cause. But the Templar Order was not kind to him. Imprisonment and torture in the Ferelden Circle scarred him for life, and having to turn on his murderous Knight Commander in Kirkwall eventually caused him to leave the Order. Through it all, however, his courage, morality and strength of character persevered. Recruited by Cassandra to lead the Inquisition’s army, he brings a keen strategic mind and straight forward attitude to the war table. But there is a sadness behind his eyes, and should you romance him, you will find a loving, kindhearted man, but one who is troubled by his past, and unsure of his future. Cullen’s drink is a smooth blend of brown creme de cacao, vanilla liquor and milk to represent his calm, confident demeanor. A garnish of chili shavings hints at the pain he keeps hidden underneath.
Recipe
1 1/2 oz Brown Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Vanilla Liqueur
Fill with Milk
Garnish with Chocolate and Chilli Shavings
Red Jenny – Sera
As the song goes, Sera was never an agreeable girl. Impulsive, brash and reactionary, she makes herself known to the Inquisitor by interrupting a confrontation with an Orlesian noble, and promptly shooting him in the face with an arrow. That would prove not to be an isolated incident. She has a profound dislike of authority, and those in positions of power who take advantage of the less fortunate. To Sera, there is no greater good. There is simply what is right and what is wrong, in the moment. This often puts her at odds with the Inquisition, but get to know her, and you’ll discover that she is more than just a loose cannon. A fan of pranks and dirty jokes, Sera can also be quite the flirt. Pursue a romance with her, and you can discover a loving heart with an endearingly unpredictable way of showing affection. It is this combination of chaos and sweetness that has inspired Sera’s drink. A shot of half tequila and half red cordial, it is lit on fire before drinking, and is quickly chased by a handful of Skittles. If there is a more appropriate way to celebrate Sera, we can’t think of one.
Recipe
1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Red Cordial
Light the shot on fire
Chase shot with a handful of skittles
Iron Bull – Mayhem
Hard drinking, wise cracking, love making Iron Bull is not your typical Qunari. While most members of his race live their lives in strict accordance to the Qun, Iron Bull’s life has taken a decidedly different path. After working as an agent for the Ben-Hassrath, he became disenchanted with enforcing the religious and philosophical commandments of Qunari culture, and formed Bull’s Chargers, a mercenary group for hire. Agree to his price, and you will add a warrior of unequaled power and ferocity to the Inquisitor’s cause. But Iron Bull is more than just weapon to be bought, and should you choose to romance him, you will find that he has passions beyond those indulged on the battlefield. The Iron Bull’s drink is a tribute to his uniquely Qunari way of finding pleasure through pain. Absinthe, bourbon and rum are combined with beer and a splash of lime juice to create a drink that’ll burn like hell going down, but will get you feeling better and better with each passing swallow.
Recipe
1 oz Absinthe
1 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Rum
Dash of Lime Juice
Fill with Beer
The Good Tevinter – Dorian
At first glance, one would think that Dorian leads a privileged existence. Born into a prominent family of the Tevinter Imperium, he displayed a strong grasp of magic from a young age, and was on track to become a powerful member of the Tevinter ruling class. But as he grew, he began to despise the hypocrisy and corruption rampant in Tevinter society. Eventually, he was forced to flee both his family and his homeland when his fathered attempted to “cure” Dorian’s sexual orientation with blood magic. Labeled a pariah by his own people, he wears their scorn with pride. Dorian is confident, outspoken, and has a sarcastic wit sharper than any blade. But behind the sarcasm lies an idealist who hopes to one day bring positive change to his homeland. A natural charmer and flirt, Dorian can always be counted upon to make life interesting, whether you romance him or not. His drink is a blend of rum, fruit liqueurs, lime juice and Campari, making it smooth and tart, just like Dorian.
Recipe
1 oz Rum
1 oz Strawberry Liqueur
1/2 oz Cherry Liqueur
1/2 oz Blueberry Liqueur
Dash of Lime Juice
Dash of Campari
Fill with Club Soda
Smooth Kreminal – Cremisius ‘Krem’ Aclassi
While not a companion of the Inquisitor, Cremisius ‘Krem” Aclassi is nonetheless one of the most memorable characters in Dragon Age Inquisition, and in our opinion, is deserving of a drink of his own. Though born female, Krem never identified with his gender, and rejected his mother’s efforts to marry him into a wealthy family. Krem desired to join the Tevinter army, but since there were few roles for women, he bribed his way into the ranks of soldiers. Eventually, his secret was discovered, and he was forced to flee. He is now a member of Bull’s Chargers, serves as Iron Bull’s second in command, and enjoys exchanging kindhearted barbs with his boss. Free from Tevinter oppression, he lives his life openly and proudly, but never lets his transgender status define him. By combining equal parts black vodka and rum, Krem’s drink celebrates his strength of character, with elderflower liqueur and cola hinting at the whimsical streak that runs through him (standing on chairs and knitting flying pigs, anyone?).
Recipe
1 oz Black Vodka
1 oz Rum
1/2 oz Elderflower Liqueur
Fill with Coke