When an author puts a drink in the pages of their books you can be assure it will be a decent drink.

There’s the Vesper Martini in Casino Royale has joined the common lexicon of drinks as a potent alternative.

The Jack rose in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, which has fallen out of favour.

And then there’s the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which was created after the release of the book because there was no recipe.

But, writers pick or create decent cocktails in their books because generally they’re pretty adept at consuming them.

The Vesper is simple and strong, like a good martini should be. A notable and polarising component is in the preparation.

Shaken not stirred.

Many cocktail buffs get upset about the shaken aspect because it dilutes the mix quicker. But, with an alcohol content similar to a straight liquor, one could be forgiven for wanting to dial it down a little.

The Jack Rose, also a favourite of author John Steinbeck, is presented in a martini glass and has a bright red hue from the grenadine.

Particularly in Australia the main ingredient, apple brandy, is fairly uncommon, so it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll find this one in a bar.

Coming from a science fiction book, the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster has a pretty outrageous ingredient list.

The juice from one bottle of Ol' Janx Spirit, one measure of water from the seas of Santraginus, three cubes of Arcturan Mega-gin, four litres of Fallian marsh gas, a measure of Qualactin Hypermint extract, the tooth of an Algolian Suntiger, sprinkle Zamphuor and add an olive.

Not something you can exactly replicate without hitchhiking a ride on a Vogon construction ship.

There have been a few approximations but the point of this drink is to have fun.

And for the final cocktail we take a look at the Bailey, created by Gerald Murphy.

Mr Murphy and his wife captivated the likes of Pablo Picasso, F. Scott and Ada Fitzgerald, Ernest and Hadley Hemingway.

It’s said F. Scott based the two main characters in Tender is the Night on Gerald and Sara Murphy, Picasso painted Sara and the couple in Hemingway’s The Garden of Eden bear striking similarities.

So, while the Bailey didn’t feature in any books, its creator certainly did.

Vesper Martini
3 shots gin
1 shot vodka
1/2 shot Lillet Blanc
Add ingredients to a cocktail tin with ice and shake until frosty. Serve in a martini glass with a lemon peel.

Jack Rose
1 shot apple brandy
½ shot lemon juice
½ shot grenadine
Add ingredients to a cocktail tin with ice and shake until frosty. Serve in a martini glass.


Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
(According to Difford’s Guide)
10 basil leaves
⅔ shot vodka
⅔ black raspberry liqueur
½ shot triple sec
⅙ shot Grand Marnier
1⅔ shot cranberry juice
1⅔ shot strawberry puree
Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail tin with ice and then strain into any glass you like over crushed ice.


The Bailey 
1½-2 shots gin 
½ shot grapefruit juice 
½ shot lime juice 
1 tsp simple syrup sprig of mint 
Add ingredients to a cocktail tin with ice and shake until frosty. Serve in a tall glass with another sprig of mint.