Inspired by the nightlock berry standoff that forces President Snow to allow two victors, the Game Twist cocktail layers wild blueberries in a coupe glass and blends vodka, Amaro Montenegro, peach schnapps, lemon juice, simple syrup, and saline to capture the tension, rebellion, and high-stakes defiance of Katniss and Peeta’s game-changing moment in The Hunger Games. (Recipe Below)
This cocktail comes with a *spoiler alert* because it is based on a plot to change these annual Hunger Games forever. This cocktail is based on the spirit that we both live or both of us die "Game Twist" that Katniss and Peeta throw at the game designer Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) and the Panem President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) forcing them to end the games with two living tributes rather than one survivor/victor since the games began. That twist came in the form of nightlock berries which Peeta and Katniss would eat together if the President doesn't call off the game. We feature the berries by placing a pile of wild blueberries at the bottom of a coupe glass to present it just as they were to Crane at the end of the movie. For the cocktail, to feature the flavor of the berries we shake together Vodka, Amaro Montenegro for it's herbs and botanicals, Peach Schnapps, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Saline. Poured over the berries, it can give you the sense of sweet rebellion won by Katniss and Peeta that day, or dread for the future that President Snow felt and presented to Seneca Crane in a locked room because these kids can't call the shots.
Game Twist
1.5 oz (45 g) Fresh or Frozen Wild Blueberries
1.5 oz (45mL) Vodka
.5 oz (15mL) Amaro Montenegro
.25 oz (7.5mL) Peach Schnapps
.5 oz (15mL) Lemon Juice
.5 oz (15mL) Simple Syrup
Dropper Saline
Prepare a coupe glass with frozen wild blueberries set in freezer to chill. Combine in a mixing glass, 1.5 oz Vodka, .5 oz Amaro Montenegro, .25 oz Peach Schnapps, .5 oz Lemon Juice, .5 oz Simple Syrup, and dropper of saline. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into prepared coupe glass, Garnish with a Lemon Spritz.
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Tito's Vodka
80 proof/ 40% ABV
Fifth Generation, Inc.
This vodka is certified as gluten-free because it is made from yellow corn which is considered a modern production of vodka. While made from yellow corn, its clean flavor and color can be attributed to the fact that it is distilled six times and traditional vodka is distilled three to four times.
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Amaro Montenegro
46 proof/23% ABV
Montenegro S.R.L.
Characterized as a bitter liqueur, it is a blend of sweet and bitter oranges, 40 different herbs, an no added sweeteners. The result is a mildly bittersweet liqueur with lightly vegetal and warming spice notes.
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Peach Schnapps
30 proof/15% ABV
DeKuyper/Suntory Global Spirits
Known for its price point and its popularity in bars and restaurants. Peachtree is redistilled fruit brandy with other flavoring materials. It's flavor is syrupy sweet and reminiscent of tree-ripened peaches.
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Lemon Juice
5-6% acidity
Less acidic than lime juice, lemon juice will add enough acidity to brighten flavors without overpowering when balanced with sweetness. Usually our preference when needing acid to emulsify with egg white, aquafaba or cream.
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Salt/Saline
Salt is a great flavor booster. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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Wild Blueberries
Chosen for their size and intense sweet flavor with a fresh vegetal quality.
May The Cocktails Be Ever In Your Favor: The Hunger Games in Two Cocktails
Set in a dystopian future, The Hunger Games follows a brutal government-controlled survival game where children from twelve districts fight to the death, a concept that inspired two Hunger Games–inspired cocktails called Girl on Fire and Game Twist. The story centers on Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to save her sister Prim, and Peeta Mellark, as they represent District 12 under the watchful eyes of the Capitol, President Snow, and game makers like Seneca Crane. The Girl on Fire cocktail, inspired by Katniss’s iconic flaming costume designed by Cinna, blends mezcal, Fireball, elderflower, pineapple, and citrus for a smoky, spicy craft cocktail experience. The Game Twist cocktail references the famous nightlock berry rebellion, featuring vodka, Amaro Montenegro, peach schnapps, lemon juice, and blueberries to symbolize defiance and survival. Blending pop culture, movie-inspired drinks, and craft cocktail recipes, this article celebrates The Hunger Games as a story of rebellion, courage, and spectacle that leaves audiences—and drinkers—wanting more.
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