Inspired by Cinna’s iconic “Girl on Fire” design for Katniss Everdeen, this dramatic craft cocktail blends mezcal, Fireball, elderflower, pineapple, lemon, hot honey, and saline, finished with butterfly pea–infused Peychaud’s bitters for a dark float and a flaming arrow lemon garnish that captures the smoky, fiery spirit of The Hunger Games. (Recipe Below)
Named "Girl on Fire" by Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) District 12's Image Consultant, when his insightfulness into Katniss' character leads him to design District 12 a costumed display embellished with synthetic fire. Cinna's design is our inspiration for the "Girl on Fire" cocktail. An equal parts mix of Mezcal, Fireball, Elderflower and Pineapple juice gives the cocktail a nice balance of smoke, sweet and spice with just a hint of floral brightness. With a little spin, just like Katniss in her dress, we added a touch of lemon juice to add brightness, hot honey to bring on the heat, and saline to bring all of the flavor up. For some drama, we serve this cocktail in a rocks glass and add several drops of Butterfly Pea Infused Peychaud's bitters, giving the cocktail a black-colored float and garnish with an archery inspired lemon peel with a flaming arrow tip. Try this cocktail, and, "Thank you for your consideration." Now to just stay alive.
Girl on Fire
1 oz (30mL) Mezcal
1 oz (30mL) Fireball
1 oz (30mL) Elderflower
1 oz (30mL) Pineapple Juice
.5 oz (15mL) Lemon Juice
Bar Spoon Hot Honey
Dropper Saline
3 Dashes Butterfly Pea Infused Peychaud's Bitters
In a shaker tin, combine 1 oz Mezcal, 1 oz Fireball, 1 oz Elderflower Liqueur, 1 oz Pineapple Juice, .5 oz Lemon Juice, dropper of Saline, and barspoon of Hot Honey. Add Ice and shake for 30 seconds. Double strain into a chilled Rocks Glass. Garnish with Peychaud's Bitters, clip the soaked lemon peel, clip to the side of the glass and light up.
Hot Honey Syrup
4 oz (120 mL/113.5 g) Honey
4 oz (120 mL/113.5 g) Water
1 Tbs (30 g) Red Pepper Flakes
Pinch Salt
In a saucepan, combine Honey, Water, Red Pepper Flakes and Salt. Place on medium low heat and stir to combine. Allow to come to a slight boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Fine strain into a syrup container. Store in a cool, dark place
Butterfly Pea Infused Peychaud’s Bitters
1 oz (30mL) Peychaud's Bitters
1-2 Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
Combine in a spice jar and shake gently. Store in a cool, dark place for 24 hours, strain out flowers and pour into a dropper bottle.
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Mi Mama Me Dijo Mezcal
90 proof/45% ABV
Grupo Gastronomico Gracias A Dios, S.De R.L.
Double distilled, made from Maguey Espadin and Joven agaves fired in wood ovens, fermented and distilled twice. Results are a smoky, earthy mezcal without a bite and a finish of burnt almonds. An affordable bottle that makes a great mixing mezcal.
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Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
66 proof/33% ABV
Sazerac Company
A blended Canadian whisky with sweeteners and cinnamon flavoring added to produce a syrupy sweet and bright cinnamon flavor.
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St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
40 proof/20% ABV
Bacardi Limited
A favorite amongst cocktail makers, elderflower liqueur is pleasantly floral and sweet, reminiscent of clover honey. Its familiar flavor makes it easy for the palate to accept while enhancing other flavors in a cocktail.
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Pineapple Juice
4-6% Acidity
Similar to Lemon Juice in acidity, but significantly more natural sugars which leaves a naturally balanced juice if freshly pressed. It is highly recommended to test the sweetness of the juice before adding additional sweeteners.
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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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Hot Honey Syrup
Easy to make at home, hot honey syrup is a great way to add the flavor of heat that is already balanced by a floral sweetness.
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Salt/Saline
Salt is a great flavor changer. 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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Peychaud's Bitters
70 proof/ 35% ABV
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Originally sold as an apertivo in French New Orleans, Peychaud's is a gentian-based bitter which is characteristic of strong anise or fennel flavors. Additional botanicals contribute to it's light mint flavors. Peychaud's adds a nice red color while freshening a cocktail with just a few dashes.
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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