It’s not easy being a wizard, even the professors have to get away from the bustle and the endless grading of scrolls of Hogwart’s. While students often opt for a big mug of butter beer, the professors’ order is a little more eclectic. And judging by his choice in drinks, Charms master and head of Ravenclaw, Professor Flitwick might even be straightedge.
Harry, who was not given permission to leave Hogwarts or go to the village, hides under a table at the Three Broomsticks public house. He is about to overhear the Minister of Magic explain that Sirius Black is Harry’s godfather, when Madame Rosmerta arrives with drinks for the Professors.
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban: Ch 10, p 202.
Next he saw another pair of feet, wearing sparkly turquoise high heels, and heard a woman’s voice.
“A small gillywater—”
“Mine,” said Professor McGonagall’s voice.
“Four pints of mulled mead—”
“Ta, Rosmerta,” said Hagrid.
“A cherry syrup and soda with ice and umbrella—”
“Mmm!” said Professor Flitwick, smacking his lips.
Flitwick’s drink of choice is cherry syrup and soda with ice and an umbrella. Here is a simple and fresh cherry syrup recipe that can be paired with your choice of setzer soda water, club soda, or even a cream soda if you want it sweet. I’ve added an alcohol option for an adult version, because let’s face it—not all of us can put up with troublesome students as well as Professor Flitwick can. And remember, it’s swish and flick!
Charmed Cherry Soda (serves 2)
Ingredients
2 cups frozen or fresh Black Cherries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 water
1 tbsp lemon juice
Setzer Soda Water
1 shot plain vodka + 1 shot lemon flavored vodka (opt)
Ice
For the Cherry Syrup, place the fruit, sugar, water, and lemon juice into a medium pot over low heat and cook until sugar is dissolved.
Smash the cherries against the side of the pot. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and turn down heat slightly if it starts to boil up.
Remove from heat and let cool briefly. Press through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a bowl. Store in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Save the left over cherries to spread on a piece of toast or to throw in a smoothie.
Pour a few tablespoons of cherry syrup into the bottom of 2 cocktail glasses. Top up with ice.
Place a spoon, upside down, to the inside edge of the glass. Pour in the vodka if using, followed by the soda over the spoon EXTREMELY SLOWLY, letting it go down the side of the glass. Move the spoon upwards as it fills.
This creates the gradation effect. Garnish with a cherry, umbrella, or one of these DIY paper feather straws!
DIY Harry Potter Paper Feather Quill Straws
You Will Need
Scissors
Construction Paper or Card Stock
Paper Straws (boo plastics!)
For the feathers, I started with some light metallic samples of card stock. You can even use colors to match your favorite house or party theme you have going.
Cut each piece in to a basic feather shape, leaving the quill end wide enough for a straw hole.
Next cut down each side of the feather, still leaving a strip in the middle a 1/4-1/2 inches wide along where the quill would be on a real feather. Cut a small hole or asterisk shape 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from the bottom for the paper straw to go through.
Tad-ah! I went back and rounded some of the cut edges to make them look a wee bit more natural, but overall they are super fun and easy. Make sure you do the DIY before you start drinking though!
