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.
Chef Dennnis says
OMG…… you could not have been more spot on with this cocktail! Are you sure you didn’t have a conference call with the writers before coming up with your gruesomely delicious cocktail?
Toni Dash says
*sigh* Call me psychic.
Rachel Ferrucci says
I love different drinks to try and this looks so fun. I’m not a Walking Dead fan but lots of friends are so they’ll be getting this!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
OMGosh this is soooooo freaking awesome. I stopped really paying much attention to the Walking Dead a few seasons ago because I felt the show had so many slow moving points, like it just dragged on. I would just watch whenever. I love Jeffrey Dean Morgan so of course I had to really pick it back up again just for Negan. This is the perfect drink for a Walking Dead party.
Toni Dash says
And didn’t his character begin with a bang?! He’s the most interesting villain so far to me. So charismatic and horrifically awful. He delves into an arena of psychological torture the show has not yet seen.
Amanda Love says
I watched the pilot for season 7 last night and I have to admit, seeing this definitely brought back the saddest scenes for the night! It’s awesome to be able to make this for friends who are also fans of the show though!
Toni Dash says
Imagine how I felt Amanda after making this, inspired by the last 10 minutes of the season 6 last episode; having no idea where the season 7 premiere would lead! Ug. What seemed a creative idea turned into a brutal association. The drink would be great for Halloween too.
Reesa Lewandowski says
I am not a walking dead fan, but this looks so perfect for halloween!
Toni Dash says
Fan or not I think you are absolutely right Reesa! The red swizzle stick makes it fun for Halloween (and that fact that it turns the drink a gory red)!
victoria says
How cool is this and sounds like a yummy cocktail. I want this now
Melisasource says
I couldn’t keep watching the walking dead once the first wave of deaths started hitting but this sounds like a great drink!
Toni Dash says
Probably a wise move. I have to say when I created this cocktail I had no idea what was in store on the season premiere. After seeing it? There are not enough cocktails in the world to mentally make it through what happened.
Gabriel says
LOL clever and timely! I like it. I’ve only watched the first two seasons so I wasn’t to upset at all the spoilers I’ve seen but Glenn was a favorite for sure.
Toni Dash says
It’s funny Gabriel, I remember watching the first few episodes and being horrified at the zombies and effects. As well as the angst of what living in that situation would be like. In these later seasons human traits evolve to master the survival situation and it is far scarier. Enjoy those early seasons!
Kathy says
This sounds like a good drink. I’ve never actually seen the walking dead, but this sounds great. I really need to watch it soon! Looking forward to trying this drink out!
Toni Dash says
It is a great show Kathy. If you were to tell me before I saw it I would love a gorey show about Zombies I would have thought ‘never’. It’s really about the people and I find it fascinating to imagine what it WOULD be like post apocalypse and whether I would have the chops to survive!
Kelly says
I love the Walking Dead and this looks like a great drink to make!