Pheasants Blood, aka Earth’s Abundance.
Maybe it should be called “Afternoon Drinking”?

Rob had his zoom xmas thing online, with his team across Europe. A, they are all in different countries. But B, you can’t gather in groups right now here anyway. And so, he asked me would I make him a festive type drink for it. Oh, and they are playing trivia online as part of their party.

That’s something that’s associated with cranberries, right?
They are often associated with this holiday season, and symbolise the earths abundance. Even in the depths of winter, the earth can provide.
Also, because of the Victorian ‘flower language’, the cranberry blossom will signify that the receiver extend kindness to the giver. Like saying “ I’m gonna give you this, but you owe me!

Oftentimes, the brilliant red of the cranberry colour has associated it with the planet Mars, and its magical qualities are seen as those of Mars. Because of this, cranberry can be used for protection, positive energy, courage, passion, determination, goals, and action.

These little brightly coloured berries look like little jewels and their bright red goodness carries huge protective energy with them – they are a power punch against negative energy. Consider having Cranberry Sauce as part of a protective meal, or drinking cranberry juice or tea while doing magic for anything associated with Mars. And Mars is the ruler of Scorpio and Aries. FYI, Rob is a Scorpio. So that’s my association.

If colour were considered as a way of marking the cranberry’s magical associations, it would be foolish to not highlight the deep, sensual and erotic red colour as corresponding to love and lust magic.

Allegedly, it’s also used in love magic. Sipping it is said to induce love and lust. Maybe you might want to sweeten that first.

I called it Pheasants Blood, from an old dish, served up around this time of year, in the Druid days. Known back then as Alban Arthuan, or Yule. At the time of the winters solstice. The dish was apparently pheasant blood mixed with cranberries. Sounds yum, huh? 🤮

So I drivel a bit. Now for the recipe.

I used a spiced cranberry syrup I made the other day, with cranberries (obviously) some star anise, a cinnamon stick, and a bit of cardamom.

• 30ml Gin- I used Tanqueray, mainly because it was the closest.
• 15ml Lemon Juice
• 25ml Cranberry Syrup
• 25ml Averna
• 7.5ml Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro

Shake all with ice, and strain into a suitable glass.

Garnish
Well, a festive wreath, of course, some cranberries and a sprig of mint