In the famous novel by Neil Gaiman american gods, we first meet a strong and silent protagonist named Shadow while in prison. A man caught him, so he didn’t worry that a man was going to catch him. Yesterday had brought it, so he was no longer afraid of what would happen tomorrow. But upon his release, Shadow found that his raison d’etre, his wife, was gone, and with her, he lost the world he knew before his imprisonment. Instead, there is a strange playground of gods, legends, and creatures, the reality of which was revealed to him by a divine imposter calling himself Mr. Wednesday. After Wednesday manipulates him into his service, Shadow follows everything that happens next, from introductions to old-school gods like Anansi, Kali, Horus, Easter, and Chernobog, to encounters with leprechauns, dwarves, and goblins. Let’s jump right in. Because once you’ve lost everything, the impossible becomes less surprising.
Wednesday further draws Shadow into a twisted plan to win the war between gods old and new.

This booktail is made with infused brandy 9 days with whole orange peel, rosemary and cloves. These same flavors appear in the brandy-like elixir that Shadow offers on Wednesday when he travels to the limits of space and time and becomes ill. , on Wednesday, “Drink of the Heroes. Drink of the Gods.” Three glasses set the bargain between Wednesday and the Shadow, as well as the fate of mankind. A lemon twist adds a nice touch of citrus and complements the other flavors. Because when immortal beings like Wednesday are around, there’s always a twist.
This drink worthy of the gods is served in a snifter as round and full as the moon that the Slavic goddess Zorya Pornochnaya plucks from the night sky. It sits at the center of an offering circle containing smoking sage and flowers for a sensual and divine Easter, along with stones and cardamom seeds to honor Kali. There is the weight of the seed and the wings and soul of Anubis. The novel stands behind a circle, with blue lightning crackling across the cover, complemented by a shimmering blue, purple, and silver background. Tree branches and trunks are visible to the immediate right of the book. It is a reference to the great Norse myth of Yggdrasil, the night owl of the shadows and the sacred tree at the center of the nine worlds containing all life.
american gods
material
- 1 cup brandy
- 1 ounce Drambuie
- peel of 1 orange
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 3 cloves
instructions
Add rosemary, orange zest, and cloves to the jar along with the brandy. Seal, shake, and leave her in a cool, dry place for 9 days, shaking once a day. When the brandy is ready, mix her glass halfway with ice. Add 2 oz of infused brandy with Drambuie and stir gently until well combined. Do not over dilute. Strain into a rocks glass or brandy snifter and garnish with a lemon twist.