Drink Identifier: The Sandman (Netflix) Season 1

The Drinks of “The Sandman” by Brand

• Valentine White Blossom Elderflower Vodka
• Carpano Dry Vermouth

The Drinks of “The Sandman” by Character

• Ethel Cripps/Ethel Dee (portrayed by Joely Richardson)

The Liquor Brands in Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman” on Netflix

Joely Richardson plays Ethel Cripps/ Ethel Dee in “The Sandman”. She is the mother of serial killer John Dee who later uses the Dream Stone Ruby with graphic results. Here she is seen preparing a martini using a vodka and dry vermouth.

Valentine White Blossom Elderflower Vodka

(seen next to the blue arrow in the above screenshot)

The main ingredient of Ethel Cripps’ martini is Valentine White Blossom Elderflower Vodka. I haven’t had this vodka myself yet, but I imagine using “Valentine” vodka is a slight reference to singer Dickie Valentine who recorded a popular version of the song “Mr.Sandman.”

Elderflowers also have many mystical and healing properties according to folklore and homeopathic medicine, so it seems fitting someone possessing an amulet that protects her from harm.

Carpano Dry Vermouth

(Seen next to the orange arrow in the original screenshot above)

The second ingredient in Ethel Cripps is Carpano dry vermouth. This is a relatively new vermouth from the makers of Carpano Antica (one of the best red vermouths around.) This helped create Ethel a nice, not too-overly-boozy martini with a great depth of flavor.

The Drinks of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman” by Character

Ethel Cripps / Ethel Dee (portrayed by Joely Richardson)

Ethel Cripps / Ethel Dee is a… complicated character. She makes some questionable choices, sure, but she definitely loves her son. This is unfortunate for her son’s victims, but that’s mother’s love for you. In season 1 episode 2 of “The Sandman” on Netflix, Ethel is seen making a martini using Valentine White Blossom Elderflower Vodka and Carpano Dry vermouth.

Please let me know if there’s any piece of pop culture you need drink identified or if I’ve missed anything from The Sandman.

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