as promised, i’m putting all the recipes from our holiday event (intoxicated zodiac, susan miller & todd english) online. so now all you zodiac junkies can drink your very own sign for some extra christmas cheer this year!

The work of Nicholas Culpeper, the father of western herbalism, serves as a guide when i create astrology-themed drinks. Culpeper’s books are still in print, 300 years after he wrote detailed descriptions of which plants belong to which signs and how to use them medicinally. In Medieval Herbal Astrology, plants have Zodiac signs, just like people. In the Medieval times only seven planets had been discovered as opposed to nine today. Therefore, since these drinks are based on Medieval Herbal Astrology, the ancient ruling planet for each sign is referenced.

“under the stars” is a NOISE 784 production. sponsored by TYKU, perrier and jim beam, the recipes call for these fine products. cheers!

Aries’ Cocktail features CRANBERRY as its star ingredient! Aries is ruled by Mars: The scarlet, fiery, hot planet. Flavors that are very spicy or very tart are often ruled by Mars. The cranberry’s bright crimson color, underscored by its tangy flavor certainly betrays its allegiance to the red planet, and is hence an Aries.

ARIES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 2 oz cranberry syrup, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, perrier
(shake over ice and strain pour into an ice packed collins glass. Top with Perrier. Garnish with a floating fresh cranberry)

CRANBERRY SPICE SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 1 c fresh cranberries, peel of half a small orange
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Taurus’ Cocktail features PEPPERMINT as its star ingredient! If its divinely fragrant and tantalizingly tasty, you can bet its ruled by Venus. This beautiful planet rules all fruit, herbs and flowers that are particularly fragrant. Hence, mint falls under the dominion of Venus and may be identified as a Taurus.

TAURUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz peppermint syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(served up with a mini candy cane garnish)

PEPPERMINT MINT SYRUP:
3 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 tsp peppermint extract
(heat until dissolved)

Gemini’s Cocktail features HAZELNUT as its star ingredient! Culpeper lists the hazelnut under Mercury. The tree’s delicate leaves & flowers are indicative of this planet’s fleeting & wispy qualities. After all, Mercury is the fastest orbiting planet in our solar system. hazelnut is a Gemini.

GEMINI XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz hazelnut cocoa syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a few pcs of floating chopped hazelnut garnish)

HAZELNUT COCOA SYRUP:
1 c “NUTELLA” spread,2 c water
(heat lightly and whisk until blended)

Cancer’s Cocktail features EGG as its star ingredient! The egg is ruled by the Moon, as is Cancer. They share the traits of a hard outer shell and a soft, pale, fleshy inside. Cancer is known for its innate creativity, along with a desire to “nest.” What symbolizes those two qualities more than the egg?

CANCER XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz ‘nog anise syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a floating star anise)

‘NOG ANISE SYRUP:
1 c brown sugar, 1 ½ c water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 star anise, 4 tsp chopped, fresh ginger, 3 tsp vanilla extract, 10 cardamom pods
(toast spices over medium low in pan first. then simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Leo’s Cocktail features CLEMENTINE as its star ingredient! The bright, round, orange-colored, life-giving star of our solar system, the Sun, rules over Leo. Because the clementine bears a heavy physical resemblance to the sun, it is given ruler ship under it. The clementine is a Leo.

LEO XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz clementine rosemary syrup, 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
(served over ice topped with Perrier. Garnish with a slice of clementine)

CLEMENTINE ROSEMARY SYRUP:
2 chopped clementines, ¼ c chopped fresh rosemary, 2 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Virgo’s Cocktail features POMEGRANATE as its star ingredient! The pomegranate is ruled by Mercury due to its astringent qualities. Mercury is the fleet-footed planet and therefore holds ownership over anything that is fast-binding and drying in nature. That is why the pomegranate is a Virgo.

VIRGO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 1/2 oz pomegranate grenadine, 1/2 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with 3 floating pomegranate seeds)

POMEGRANATE GRENADINE:
Equal parts 100% pomegranate juice and water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes)

Libra’s Cocktail features SUGAR PLUM as its star ingredient! Libra is ruled by the Venus, the beautiful planet. Venus holds dominion over things that are sugary sweet, succulent, attractive and delectable in nature. A perfectly ripe, juicy plum would certainly fall under ruler ship of Venus, and may be called a Libra.

LIBRA XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 oz plum syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with a sugar rim)

SUGAR PLUM SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 chopped fresh plums
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Scorpio’s Cocktail features CLOVE as its star ingredient! The incredibly pungent and powerful clove is ruled by none other than what many refer to as the planet of war, Mars. Really, it is the planet of passion and the strength to defend and protect. In fact, clove is so strong it can be used to defeat Cancer. Today, Scorpio is considered co-ruled by Mars and Pluto.

SCORPIO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 1 oz lemon juice, 1 oz clove chili syrup, perrier
(served over ice, topped with perrier, garnished with a floating clove and straw)

CLOVE CHILI SYRUP:
1 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 pinches cloves, 1 small handful or approx 20 dried chili arbols
(toast chilis and clove over medium low in pan first. simmer for 15-20 minutes and strain)

Sagittarius’ Cocktail features FIG as its star ingredient The vast number of seeds in a fig makes it a fruit ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. This huge planet is the owner of all things Ubiquitous, prolific, abundant and colossal in nature. This is why the fig is listed as a Sagittarius.

SAGITTARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 ¼ oz fig syrup, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
(shake over ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a dried fig slice)

FIG SYRUP:
1 c fresh chopped figs, 1 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Capricorn’s Cocktail features MOLASSES as its star ingredient! Discarded as a by-product, molasses is the almost black, densely thick, mildly bittersweet syrup that is born from the dregs of the sugar cane plant. Saturn symbolizes frugality, austerity and scarcity. Molasses is ruled by Saturn due to the nature of its genesis.

CAPRICORN XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz gingerbread syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a slice of candied ginger garnish)

GINGERBREAD SYRUP: 2 c brown sugar, 2 c water, 1 c molasses, 5 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Aquarius’ Cocktail features CEDAR as its star ingredient! Saturn is the slowest moving planet, symbolizing longevity and resilience. Plants ruled by this constant planet are extremely hardy in nature–take for example the famously pest and weather-resistant cedar tree. Today Aquarius is considered co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. That’s why cedar is an Aquarius.

AQUARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 1 oz cedar syrup
(served up with a sugar rim)

CEDAR TIP SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c dried cedar tip needles
(toast cedar over medium low in pan first. simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Pisces’ Cocktail features CHESTNUT as its star ingredient! The chestnut tree’s diameter can be as great as 17 feet, which epitomizes the grandiose qualities of the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter. Today, Pisces is considered co-ruled by Jupiter and the more recently discovered Neptune. The chestnut is a Pisces and sheer size alone is what determines that.

PISCES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz chestnut syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up a chestnut slice garnish)

CHESTNUT SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c chopped and peeled roasted chestnuts
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

ROAST CHESTNUT GARNISH:
Slice each nut prior to baking with a knife, but try not to penetrate flesh. Then it will be easier to slice them for garniature.

THE AMERICAN COCKTAIL is the first book from the visionary writers of IMBIBE MAGAZINE. the staff combed the country for the most creative cocktails to include in one concise hard-covered collection in lieu of their usual monthly glossy. if you haven’t noticed as of yet, bartending is hot. in the last month alone i’ve gotten three requests to teach the skills of the trade to curious beginners. i don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t appreciate this book as a stocking stuffer. (CHRONICLE $20)

japan might just be the coolest country in the world. after all, the entire world shops japan for new fashion, product and eco trends—tokyo, specifically. apart from their little whale fetish, the japanese people have it going on, big time. because of this, i am really proud that intoxicated zodiac candles are sold in japan, and i can’t wait to get over there myself! when i do finally make it to the “coolhunting” destination of the fashion world, this book will be packed in my suitcase. “DRINKING JAPAN: A GUIDE TO JAPAN’S BEST DRINKS AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS” by chris bunting, is not only a fascinating and comprehensive read, but a charitable one as well. with every purchase a portion is donated to japan earthquake relief—and yes, the effects of the quake are still an unlivable nightmare for those affected. (just because it’s never mentioned on USA TV doesn’t mean it’s not still beyond bad over there.) one more reason to buy this book and go to japan asap—they need all the tourism support the world can give them! but, even if you are not traveling in japan, this book is still really great. anyone who is fascinated by the wonderful world of spirits will take pleasure in flipping the pages of this entertaining and insightful book. so, for christmas this holiday, get your friend this stocking stuffer along with a bottle of saki, and they will be instantly cool… cool, like japan. ($24.95 USD)

BTW, japan is a libra! betcha didn’t know that…

THE PUNCH BOWL by dan searing is a must have for holiday entertaining. that is, if you don’t want to spend all your time behind the bar mixing drinks for your guests, with whom you should be cavorting. yes, pitcher drinks are all the rage, but before pitchers, there were punches. in fact, before we were born, there were punches. some of the recipes in THE PUNCH BOWL are circa 1890. this factual and well photographed book contains both antique recipes and their more modern counterparts. in short, it really is a fantastic collection for novice or the pro… $14.95.

i’ve picked up a couple shifts at COMIDA MERCADO FRESCO in park slope brooklyn. so c’mon down and visit me! COMIDA is near and dear to my heart, as the saga behind it is better than most soap operas. oh the drama, gwen just loves it. sometimes i find myself longing for a mundane existence, but thank god the universe doesn’t take me seriously and my frenetic life continues! read about COMIDA’S checkered past here, and here (in that order.)

COMIDA is much more than margaritas! but yes, we have them too : ) I created the majority of our cocktail program, a sophisticated assortment of mexican-inspired tipples, and latin classics. our drinks are top notch—everything is made in-house: homemade syrups, infused spirits, fresh fruits, blended salts, brandied cherries, ect. swing by for a libational treat… ask me to make whip you up a mexican zodiac cocktail!

BRUGAL RUM is one of the dominican republic’s sweetest exports. and one of the niftiest things about BRUGAL RUM is the gold threaded fishnet that each bottle so proudly wears. really kicks it up a notch… makes great hostess gift with a presentation like that!

when we talk of rums, we usually think of light, or dark: mojito or dark & stormy. enter a new word into your rum vocabulary: anejo! anejo means… rested… as in aged forever… as in how BRUGAL tastes: smooooooth and perfect for sipping, but also dandy mixed.

BRUGAL has been manufacturing rum in the dominican republic for over 100 years, and actually created the “dark” category of rum back in 1920. aging their liquid gold in white oak casks, BRUGAL is now considered THE premium dominican rum.

this august i gave a lecture, demonstration, and tasting on HERBACIOUS COCKTAILS. i spoke in front of 180 guests for 1 1/2 hours, and had to actually use a mic! i forgot what a rush being on stage was… i just love that energy! tickets to the annual HERB DAY EVENT to benefit HILLHOLD MUSEUM always sell out… so the crowd is eager to learn and have fun. i demonstrated how to make 4 different cocktails and one mocktail, based on the work of medieval astrology nicholas culpeper.

of course, intoxicated zodiac made the favors to celebrate the event. i created a special herb day cocktail that was printed on one side of the glass with the museum’s logo printed on the other. they were used as centerpieces.

this annual event is hoity toity… i asked someone their name and they said berkley. i said, oh what an unusual first name. she replied, no, i’m a berkley (as in, last names are what count here.) definitely a blue blood event! i had such a blast, thank you for having me HILLHOLD MUSEUM.

that’s me, picking the winner of the door prize with my mom sitting on my right… hi mom!

guess what? i was recently on san fransisco’s channel five to promote Intoxicated Zodiac’s product lines! watch me brag about being the goddess of mixology and astrology in the video below—cheers! PS, for the impatient amongst you check out the stills…

Gwen_Intoxicated_Zodiac_CBS_Eye_On_The_Bay

i’ve always loved angels. since i can remember, i’ve read books on our guardian angels, and collected images of them. so when i came across a whiskey named ANGELS ENVY, i perked up. for me, the name alone is reason enough to buy this newly minted, yet old-souled bourbon. but upon tasting this divinely delicious blend… i found another reason–it’s out of this world! holy perfect bourbon. but the question is… apart from its heavenly bouquet, what prompted the name of this new whiskey? apparently, industry insiders have long referred to the whiskey that escapes the barrels during the aging process through evaporation as “the angel’s share.” poor angelic beings, all they get is fumes. we mortals get the good stuff. so, if you’re a whiskey fan, ask your angels to bring you a bottle of this sacred spirit: ANGELS ENVY!

a personal note on angels… my ass would be grass without them. they have saved my life on more than one occasion, counseled me on infinite others, and comfort me daily. thank you angels! i had an angel reading once, and i have two guardian angels– as we all do. mine are named linda and maria. maria is the more outspoken one, and linda is the more softspoken one. there is always one loud and one soft, for everyone, no exceptions. our guardian angels stay with us during our entire journey on this earth plane, and appear translucent if you are able to see them. like many of us, i also have two spirits acting as angels. they keep the appearance of human form, and while they perform all the duties of guardian angels, they are technically spirits, serving in an angelic role. my two “non-angel angels” were both humans in my past lives. one is named gabriel, who was apparently my brother many lives ago. the other is named jennifer, who informed me she was my teacher in a past life. fascinating, huh?! cheers!

ANGELSENVY.com

i’ve signed on as Brotherhood Winery’s Expert Mixologist! Brotherhood Winery is the oldest winery in America. Really. They were actually open during prohibition! An easy hour drive from new york city, the tours, tastings and wine selection at this winery are truly fabulous. I enjoy mixing with wine because the libations tend to be lighter and fresher than their spirit-based counterparts. There is also the added layer of the wine’s personality to work with. I prefer to keep my drinks simple, so they can be easily enjoyed by everyone. The trick is to combine only a few ingredients that work magic together. Visit BROTHERHOOD-WINERY.COM for my wine-based cocktail recipes also listed below. Please enjoy!

Hibiscus Pomegranate Sangria
(this red sangria is a best seller at Brooklyn-based mexican restaurant, COMIDA MERCADO FRESCO.

Green Tea Sangria
(my white sangria is also served at COMIDA. the green tea makes it uber refreshing.

Acai Fizz

Bubbly Pisco Sour

Marigold Lemonade Spritzer

Brother Shandy

Lychee Surprise

Gwen’s life-long interest in the occult, combined with her love for unusual libations, led her to found Intoxicated Zodiac in 2007. As a Cocktail consultant, her recipes are featured in print and online publications; and in area bars and restaurants. Using the skills she learned as a New York bartender, Gwen regularly holds parties and classes where she teaches Astrology Mixology. Live Healthy, Imbibe Wisely, Love Freely, Cheers!