Classic (Game) Cocktail of the Week: The Mode Sevens

Whether or not you manage to score a Super NES mini this weekend, we have a purple drink for you.
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Mission control for ; former EIC of and ; taking dapper (and frogs) back from the Nazis.

Some people like to unwind over the weekend by listening to favorite podcasts; others prefer to relaxing with an alcoholic libation. We figure: Why not both? With the Classic (Game) Cocktail column, we'll offer weekly recommendations on cocktail recipes to accompany our most recent podcast episode.

Disclaimer: Please drink responsibly, and only if you are of legal age (or have permission). 

Classic (Game) Cocktail #8: Mode 7

The year's biggest retrogaming goodie, the Super NES Classic Edition, is out today. It's very good and you're probably going to want one. But will you be able to find one? Ah, there's the real question. 

In observance of the Super NES mini and the fruitless struggle we're likely to suffer in trying to track one down, this week's cocktail takes two Super NES-themed forms. One is for celebrating the discovery a successful retail adventure; the other will help you drown your sorrows if you fail. And both are undeniably purple, just like the American Super NES.

Ingredients: Mode 7 Victory Edition

  • Prosecco or other bubbly, dry, white wine
  • 1 oz. creme de cassis
  • 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur (e.g. St. Germain)

Did you find a Super NES mini console at retail this week? Congratulations! You've won the nerd lottery and deserve to celebrate your victory. Nothing says celebration like a little champagne. (Or Prosecco, as the case may be.)

Instructions

  1. In a mixing glass, combine elderflower liqueur and creme de cassis, then stir with ice.
  2. Strain carefully into a champagne flute
  3. Top with presecco

Yep: This is basically a Kir Royale with a dash of floral elderflower. It's sweet and bubbly, just like a happily satisfied sense of 16-bit nostalgia.

Ingredients: Mode 7 Consolation Edition

  • 2 oz. gin (new American)
  • 1/2 oz. creme de violette
  • Dash limoncello
  • Tonic water

No luck with the mini? That's OK, a lot of us are in the same boat. Drown your sorrows in liquor. The tonic adds a touch of bitterness to match the feelings in your soul.

Instructions

  1. Combine gin and creme de violette in a highball glass filled with ice. 
  2. Add dash limoncello
  3. Stir, then top with tonic to taste
  4. Optional: Garnish with a lemon twist

So... it's basically a gin and tonic with a floral note. With lots of bitter quinine, just like the taste of a fruitless trip to a game retailer that's already sold out of mini-consoles.

Some notes

  • You don't have to use Prosecco for the Victory Edition, but I don't recommend using anything expensive. Mixing cocktails with Moët or Dom Perignon is for rich people who revel in conspicuous consumption. Save it for the Neo Geo Classic Edition.
  • You can use whatever gin you like for the Consolation Edition, but I recommend a new American style gin like Emulsion (pictured above), Death's Door, or similar. The botanicals (e.g. aniseed, caradamom, etc.) give it some bite against the potentially cloying purfume of the creme de violette.
  • I highly recommend playing Super Ghouls ’N Ghosts before enjoying alcohol rather than after. It's a tough enough game to play sober.
  • Next time: The power of Zeus compels you!