Not all truths are spoken aloud.
Not all shadows mean danger.
This week’s Fantasy Friday on the Rocks is for the quietest of the Night Court’s deadly trio — the one who listens more than he speaks, who slips through the world like mist through a keyhole. For Azriel, I wanted a drink that felt like a whisper wrapped in smoke. Something dark. Dangerous. And deceptively smooth.
Enter: Shadows & Secrets — a broody blend of mezcal and cassis, cut with lime and just enough sweetness to keep you guessing. A pinch of activated charcoal gives it that inky, shadow-born look that belongs in a glass gripped by siphon-scarred hands.
Note: Activated charcoal can interfere with certain medications. If you’re unsure, skip it or check with your doctor before sipping.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz mezcal
1 oz crème de cassis liqueur
Juice of 1 lime
0.25 oz agave syrup (or to taste)
Dash of bitters (orange or aromatic)
Pinch of activated charcoal powder
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled and moody.
Strain into a coupe glass. A black salt rim is optional but dramatically on brand.
Garnish with blackberries, rosemary, or let the shadows speak for themselves.
Love bookish cocktails as much as I do?
Fantasy Friday on the Rocks has become a whole cocktail menu of magical sips — and there’s more coming.
Follow along on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for moody pours, fantasy flavor inspo, and behind-the-scenes alchemy. You’ll find even more recipes and aesthetic ideas on Pinterest too.
Your favorite fictional characters?
Now served in a glass.
A Blade for the Shadows
Azriel may be the master of secrets, but his blade tells no lies.
If you love the quiet power of Truthteller, bring it off the page with:
Truthteller Bookmark – sleek, metallic, and inspired by Azriel’s legendary dagger. Add some badassery to your reading routine — the kind even the spymaster himself would be proud of. This officially licensed ACOTAR bookmark will safeguard your place in any novel… though let’s be honest, it's probably an epic romantasy, especially the ones with enemies-to-lovers tension and battle-ready vibes. Because who wouldn’t want a dagger to hold their page?
Truthteller Sticker – metallic and moody, inspired by the blade Azriel never parts with. Perfect for your laptop, water bottle, or Kindle — a quiet nod to the spymaster who moves unseen but never misses a mark.
Whether you’re lost in a high-stakes fantasy or just showing your allegiance to the ultimate shadow daddy, this one’s for the ones who linger in the dark.