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.
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Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
84 proof/42% ABV
Pernod Ricard Group
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
84 proof/42% ABV
Diageo Company
A dry gin that balances citrus and herbal notes to make it a clean, multipurpose gin.
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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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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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Angostura Aromatic Bitters
89.4 proof/ 44.7 ABV
Angostura Limited
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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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.
Follow the Yellow Brick Buzz: 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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