The Patronus Charm is a defensive magical spell in the wizarding world that conjures a gust of positive energy, sometimes in the shape of an animal familiar and works as a protective shield. The spell is used to protect oneself from dementors, soul sucking creatures used to guard Azkaban Prison. Harry is first introduced to the spell by Professor Remus Lupin.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Ch 12: p 237.

“So…” Professor Lupin had taken out his own wand, and indicated that Harry do the same. “The spell I am going to try to teach you is highly advanced magic, Harry — well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is called the Patronus Charm.”

“How does it work?” said Harry nervously.

“Well, when it works correcty, it conjures up a Patronus,” said Lupin, “which is a kind of anti-dementor—a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the dementor.”

Harry had a sudden vision of himself crouching behind a Hagrid-sized figure holding a large club. Professor Lupin continued, “The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the dementor feeds upon—hope, happiness, the desire to survive—but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the dementors can’t hurt it. But I must warn you , Harry, that the charm might be too advanced for you. Many qualified wizards have difficulty with it.”

“What does a Patronus look like?” said Harry curiously.

“Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it.”

“And how do you conjure it?”

“With an incantation, which will work only if you are concentrating, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory.”

While on a big hunt for Harry Potter themed props—I came across this ornament in the Christmas section of Michael’s ($1.99). It screamed DIY Harry Potter project, but everyone knows you can’t do a DIY project without a drink to sip on.

I pulled out the blue curacao and got to work. The blueberry syrup is to darken and offset the brightness of the curacao. Make sure to get Bols, as it’s the only vegan curacao. I achieved that whispy look of the Patronus by slowly layering the soda over the alcohol and dripping a little bit of the curacao mix on the very top. Don’t drink too much or you and your dementors will end up worshiping the porcelain god with Moaning Myrtle.

Patronus Charm Cocktail (serves 2)

Ingredients
2 shots White Rum or Silver Tequila
2 shots Bols Blue Curacao
1 shot blueberry syrup (below)
1/2 shot Lemon or Lime Juice
Soda Water
Ice

Blueberry Syrup
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp raw ginger
pinch of cinnamon (opt)

Bring all the syrup ingredients to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool, then strain out the blueberries and ginger. Save the pulp for the next time you make a smoothie.

Shake rum, curacao, citrus juice, and syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Fill two tall, thin cocktail glasses with more ice. Divide and strain the shaken alcohol over the ice-filled glasses. Carefully top up with soda water and serve immediately.

I’m pretty happy with my DIY Patronus Charm. I used a few coats of silver acrylic craft paint, some watered down blue highlights, and black for the lettering. Add some silver ribbon—perfect for our geeky Christmas tree!