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In the world of Harry Potter, the Draught of Living Death is an advanced potion that causes its drinker to fall into a death-like sleep. Our version is much less grim; with spiced rum and cherry juice, it tastes like cherry pie in cocktail form!
Today’s treat is one that’s fit for Potterheads, wizards, and muggles alike.
In the Harry Potter series, this sleeping draught (pronounced draft) contained infusion of wormwood, powdered root of asphondel, sloth brain, and Sopophorous bean.
This version of this recipe is a fun mix of spiced rum and cherry juice at its core, with edible glitter dust, red food coloring, and a maraschino cherry added in for some (optional) bling.
And not to worry, our libation doesn’t have the same effect as the magical potion. Save this recipe for your next Harry Potter movie marathon!
What is the Draught of Living Death?
A strong potion that puts its drinker into a death-like slumber that can last indefinitely.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Professor Slughorn praises Harry’s potion-making skills for brewing this particular draught.
Harry was not without help in this though. He and Ron had arrived late to the first Advanced Potion-Making class. Neither of them had a textbook, and there were only two copies in the cupboard. They both reached for the new copy, but Ron got it. Harry was left with the well-worn copy of the book, which turned out to have belonged to the Half-Blood Prince. (Later we discover that the Half-Blood Prince was none other than Severus Snape.)
Anyway, when there was just one hour left of the first class, Professor Slughorn showed the classroom a small vial of Liquid Luck (aka Felix Felicis). He promised it to the student who brewed the best Draught of Living Death in the time left during that class.
Harry opened his weathered copy of Advanced Potion-Making and noticed an exorbitant amount of notes scribbled and scrawled in the margins of his book. He decided to follow the notes instead of the textbook to make the potion. And it turned out perfect! As Slughorn said, “One drop would kill us all”.
And of course, Harry was awarded the vial of Liquid Luck as his prize. This was how Harry later gained valuable information from Professor Slughorn pertaining to Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort. (Yes, my nerdy side is definitely showing!)
What Does the Draught of Living Death Do?
In the Harry Potter series, this advanced potion induces a death-like sleep on its drinker.
Luckily for us muggles, this version does no such thing. Our version of this deadly potion is merely a spiced cherry rum bevvy. It almost tastes like cherry pie, in cocktail form!
The Harry Potter Inspired Draught of Living Death Potion – As a Cocktail
The adult (ahem, alcoholic) version of this drink tastes like cherry pie. And the kiddie version tastes just like cherry coke. They’re both fun to make (who doesn’t love a sparkly drink, right?!), absolutely delicious, and very unique!
Ingredients
Breaking It Down
Ingredients Explained
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Spiced rum
- Cherry juice
- Edible silver or gold luster dust
- Red food coloring (optional)
- Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Add the spiced rum, cherry juice, edible luster dust, and food coloring to a cocktail mixing glass. Add additional food coloring if desired to reach the right look.
- Stir until well-combined. Place the cherry in the bottom of a glass.
- Pour the drink into the glass, and enjoy responsibly.
Tip: How to Make It a Mocktail
You only need to make one simple change to make this a mocktail instead of a cocktail! Omit the spiced rum and use cola instead.
More Harry Potter Drinks to Make
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Draught of Living Death Cocktail Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces spiced rum
- 3 ounces cherry juice
- 1/16 teaspoon edible silver luster dust or edible gold glitter dust
- 2 drops red gel food coloring or more if desired (optional)
- 1 maraschino cherry stem removed
Instructions
- Stir together the spiced rum, cherry juice, edible luster dust, and food coloring in a cocktail mixing glass. Add additional food coloring if desired to reach the right look.
- Place the cherry in the bottom of a glass. Pour the drink into the glass.
- Serve.
Notes
- Mocktail Version: Use cola instead of spiced rum.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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