A classic cocktail updated in the style of perhaps the most popular TV show on air. The Negan Cocktail is an Old Fashioned with a nod to The Walking Dead’s most disturbing villain to date. *Spoiler Alert* for any viewers who have not finished season 6!
I have never more equally looked forward to and completely dreaded the return of a TV series as I do the start of The Walking Dead Season 7. For diehard fans and newbies alike, the end of season 6 was quite possibly the most expert example of psychological terror ever witnessed on a TV show. In 12 on-air minutes actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan both captivated an audience and inserted nightmare-worthy torment that would linger for Walking Dead devotees for the long months between seasons.
We left the beloved cast on their knees as Negan, Morgan’s character, played eenie meenie miney mo deciding which of the cast his barbed wire wrapped sidekick baseball bat ‘Lucile’ would crown. At least that is what the editing left us to imagine. Despite some being more cherished than others, there is no character we want to see end this way, leaving this a gut-clenching season end.
About a month ago I had an epiphany. Trying to out think the writers I decided a great end to this would be that no one gets killed in this unbelievably brutal way; but rather it would become one of those experiences where the mere thinking about what might happen becomes the torture, making the end deed unnecessary. #IWish.
The start of season 7 seemed warranting a special libation. For the start of season 6 I created Mutilated Zombie Cupcakes with Edible Glass Shards. Fun to make and perfect for TWD and Halloween. This premiere however is all about Negan. The disturbing quality of being so charismatic that we are drawn to him despite him being probably the most horrific TV villain I’ve experienced; and without doing a darn thing other than being so charming and carrying Lucille.
For months I’ve wondered what type of cocktail he’d drink. Something with whiskey in it. He’s smooth and cunning. Handsome. Scary, sort of like a snake charmer. I decided he’d drink something like an Old Fashioned; whiskey with bitters, a splash of water. However, I felt it needed a Walking Dead twist.
The Negan Cocktail is an updated classic. An Old Fashioned is made by splashing a few drops of bitters on a sugar cube, giving is a splash of water or soda water, swirling it around to break up the sugar and then pouring in 2 ounces of Rye Whiskey (or bourbon). It’s finished with an ice cube and served with a stirring stick.
‘Lucille’ has to be the most skin-crawling weapon I’ve ever seen. A baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire? Nothing good can come of that. For the Negan Cocktail the traditional sugar cube is replaced with a red swizzle stick (rock sugar) giving a sucrose nod to Lucille. The bitters are splashed on as is the water. It’s swirled around to begin to allow the sugar to melt. Rye Whiskey and an ice cube finish the cocktail which is served with ‘Lucille’. The red color of the sugar turns the cocktail from its natural amber to red.
I definitely think I’ll need one or two Negan Cocktails to get through tonight’s season premiere.
WHERE TO BUY: The rock candy swizzle sticks can be found at candy shops however I bought mine online on Amazon.com.
Recipe
The Negan Cocktail {an Old Fashioned The Walking Dead style}
Ingredients
- 1 Red Rock Sugar/Swizzle Stick (see blog post for Where To Buy suggestion)
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Splash of Water
- 2 ounces Rye Whiskey
- Ice cube
Instructions
- Place rock sugar swizzle stick in an Old Fashioned glass. Add bitters and water.
- Swirl the swizzle stick to allow the sugar to begin to melt.
- Add the rye whiskey and an ice cube.
gingermommyrants says
I love to try different cocktails.The Negan Cocktail looks delicious and easy to make.
Toni Dash says
It is both of those things! It’s a great classic cocktail too.
Lisa Bristol says
This looks like a great cocktail to have while watching TWD. I will have to give it a try next week.
Pam Wattenbarger says
I don’t watch the Walking Dead but I have friends who are obsessed with it. I bet they would love this cocktail.
Meagan says
This looks like a really fun drink for fans of the show.
Rosey says
I don’t know who he is. You’ve got me curious enough to look him up on google now though. 🙂
Toni Dash says
I’m guessing you aren’t caught up with the TV series or have read the comics? The premiere last night was so much more than I ever imagined, with Negan in the middle of it. Let’s just say there aren’t enough of these cocktails in the world to take the edge of watching the first episode (for me at least).
Seattle Travel Blogger says
We are always looking for new party drink ideas. I like this spin-off drink from a classic. My brother-in-law thrives on the classic drinks and I am sure he would love this one.
Toni Dash says
It is a fun way to change it up but still hold true to the traditional flavors. This version would be fun for Halloween parties too!
Kelly Hutchinson says
What a clever twist on a classic drink! I love that used rock candy for the stirrer.
Toni Dash says
Thanks Kelly! It was fun to change this up!
Colleen Lanin says
I wish I’d known about this last night. I needed a cocktail after that episode! Yeesh!
Toni Dash says
I DID know about this last night Colleen, and I think if I drank enough of these to make it through the episode I would have passed out!
Pam Wattenbarger says
One of my friends who watched TWD posted the same thing. Too bad they didn’t have this in advance.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh , I love this! Props on making Lucille nice and bloody, too! Last night’s episode was CRAZY.
Toni Dash says
Yes Stacie, it was beyond my imagination. Ug.
Catherine Sargent says
This sounds like a yummy drink. I have never had an old fashion, but I would like to try it.