Yellow Brick Road
Inspired by the Yellow Brick Road’s symbolism of hope and self-discovery, this smoky-sweet cocktail remix blends mezcal, gin, elderflower, and citrus into a visually striking drink that echoes Dorothy’s dreamlike journey on the Yellow Brick Road. (Recipe Below)
The Yellow Brick Road is a gold-laden path that leads from Munchkin Land to the Emerald City. In the book and the movie, the Yellow Brick Road symbolizes a sort of rebirth of self-discovery, hope and the pursuit of dreams and it leads Dorothy and her companions to their ultimate goal. Upon that inspiration, a remix of the Leo Robitschek's cocktail "Paris is Burning" (inspired by the documentary movie "Paris is Burning") would be appropriate for the bedazzled runway to a jeweled city. Combining Mezcal, Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Pineapple and Lemon Juices and Agave to create a beautifully warm, floral and fruity-sweet cocktail with a touch of smoke. Served in a highball with a sphere and garnished with several dashes of Angostura Bitters floating on top- just like the red poppies hovering above the ground by the Yellow Brick Road.
Yellow Brick Road
1 oz (30mL) Mezcal
1 oz (30mL) Gin
.5 oz (15mL) Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz (30mL) Pineapple Juice
.5 oz (15mL) Lemon Juice
.25 oz (7.5mL) Agave
4-5 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Dropper Saline
In a mixing glass, Combine 1 oz Mezcal, 1 oz Gin, .5 oz Elderflower Liqueur, 1 oz Pineapple Juice, .5 oz Lemon Juice, .25 oz Agave, and a dropper of Saline. Stir for 2 minutes. Strain into a Rocks Glass with a rock. Garnish with Angostura Bitters.
Cocktails and Videos created by Boozy Movies
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Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
Country: Mexico
ABV: 84 proof/42%
Brand: Pernod Ricard Group
Spirits Type: Mezcal
Taste: Clean, Agave, Spice, Long Smoky Finish
Price Category: $
Made from a blend of Espadin Agaves which are roasted in underground ovens, fermented and twice distilled. It has an earthy smoky flavor that lingers with herbal and spice notes at the front of the palate and a slight bite at the end.
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Aviation Gin
Country: France
ABV: 40 proof/20%
Brand: Bacardi Limited
Spirits Style: Herbal, Spice, and Floral
Taste: Floral with hints of peach and pear
Price Category: $
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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St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Country: France
ABV: 40 proof/20%
Brand: Bacardi Limited
Spirits Style: Herbal, Spice, and Floral
Taste: Floral with hints of peach and pear
Price Category: $
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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Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Country: Trinidad and Tobago
ABV: 90 proof/45%
Brand: House of Angostura
Spirits Bitters
Taste: Citrus, Baking Spices and Vanilla
Price Category:
Awards: Medal at 1873 Vienna World's Fair
Flavored with several herbs and spices provided a concentration of pie-spice flavors brought out by the bitterness made with gentian root. The caramel color is an additive.
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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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Agave
A neutrally flavored and easy to grab sweetener. Golden, Amber and Dark Agave Nectars are available in the supermarket with darker versions being predictably more toasty or caramel in flavor.
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Salt/Saline
Salt/Saline 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.
A pinch of salt can be added to the cocktail, but for consistency, saline is easy to make and allows more control.
To Make It:
2 oz (60mL) Distilled or Purified Water
1 Tbsp (15g) Fine Sea Salt
Combine in a jar and shake vigorously. Once salt is dissolved, pour into a dropper bottle.
Follow the Yellow Brick Buzz: Wizard of Oz-Inspired Cocktails That Turn a Classic Film into a Dazzling Nightcap
After running away to save Toto, Dorothy is swept into a surreal new world, setting the stage for a journey that pairs cinematic wonder with imaginative cocktails. As she follows the Yellow Brick Road with her newfound companions, its themes of hope and self-discovery are mirrored in a smoky, floral drink inspired by the path’s golden glow and dreamlike allure. Their arrival at the Emerald City—glittering but ultimately illusory—translates into a mint-chocolate cocktail that seduces the senses while hinting at empty promises. Each drink reflects a key emotional beat of the story, from curiosity and adventure to spectacle and disillusionment. In the end, just as Dorothy realizes the power was within her all along, the cocktails leave you with an experience that’s less about the destination and more about the journey.
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