Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Where A Young Wizard’s Journey Begins and His Mentors Inspire Two Cocktails!

Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) life as an orphan is nothing ordinary, from the unspoken events that lead up to his parent's death to the treatment he receives from the aunt, uncle, and cousin (Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, and Harry Melling, respectively) that adopted him.  His life becomes stranger as a half-giant, ruggedly intimidating man bursts into the family cabin demanding to take Harry away.  Quickly, we learn that Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane),  is a gentle protector of Harry and mystical creatures in the fantasy that is unfolding.  Harry makes quick friends with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine Granger (Emma Watson) who share in the adventures with Harry for seven more films.  In this first film, Harry is learning all of the wonders of the world he belongs in while balancing the fame that came from folklore that he and his parents are centered around.  He gains mentors in the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) and Hagrid, and is challenged by the stern Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) and class bully Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton).  He also learns that he is a rising star in the sport Quiddich, and that his biggest danger is with the Lord of Darkness, Voldemort.  That's heavy, and needs a couple of cocktails. 

Our first cocktail is inspired by the lovable and unorthodox half-giant, Hagrid.  His somewhat feral and unkempt look of the forest inspired flavors.  First, we smoke out a rocks glass with a fresh rosemary sprig and combine Bourbon and Mezcal for the smoky, charred, and cedar flavors that are brought out with the  Lime and Pineapple Juice.  To sweeten and warm up the cocktail and to bring in a sense of coziness like Hagrid's cabin, we use Cinnamon Simple Syrup to bring up the herbal notes.  Finally, garnish it with the fresh rosemary spring, flamed up like Hagrid's beard when his baby dragon, Norbert sneezed.  This cocktail is gently sweet and warm, set in fresh and charred flavors of the forest, just like Hagrid.  

Our second cocktail is inspired by the stern, dark and hardened Professor Snape.  Like Professor Snape, we use a deep and robust Cognac along with Sfumato Amaro and a Bitter Coffee Liqueur leaving you uncertain where the bitterness is coming from, while bringing in deep flavors of fruit, cocoa, and a slight smokiness.  Pomegranate Juice is used to freshen the flavors ever so slightly and saline is used to balance the bitterness out and bring forward the dried fruit flavors of the Cognac.  Serve as cold as Professor Snape is in a chilled coupe with a square of 70% Cacao Chocolate which softens the bitterness and helps sustain the flavors of the cocktail when pairing with the cocktail.