Puncheons & Flagons Review – Elevate Campaigns With Delicious Drinks

As author Andrew Wheeler explained in the introduction of Puncheons & Flagons, many amazing stories start in taverns. Whether a party comes together in a tap room to take on a new quest, or an important NPC is discovered amongst a crowd during an evening performance, the tavern is a quintessential location in Dungeons & Dragons – but what is everyone drinking?

Puncheons & Flagons is the newest official cookbook from the Dungeons & Dragons literary expansion. This cocktail collection contains a slew of delicious drinks, cocktails, mocktails, and simple treats perfect for any party to enjoy – and it does a good job of explaining what is considered a part staple in this fantasy setting.

Key Details

• Publisher: Penguin Random House
• Officially Licensed: Yes
• Author: Andrew Wheeler
• Cost: $29.99
• Where to Buy: Penguin Random House Website/Amazon
• Review Copy Provided: Yes

Dungeons & Dragons Lore With Every Sip

One of the things I love the most about Dungeons & Dragons cookbooks is the look into the world at a cultural level. Puncheons & Flagons doesn’t disappoint in this, with every single recipe offering a paragraph about each drink.

From the “Littlewinter” drink designed to warm the lightly chilled residents of Neverwinter, to the “Hand of Vecna” named after D&D’s most feared villain, these drinks are as much a journey through the realms as they are an accent to a play session.

I found myself reading the cocktail selection like a book, slowly flipping from page to page, enraptured by Andrew Wheeler’s excellent story-telling and captivating descriptions. I almost forgot I was meant to make the beautiful drinks shown in photos throughout Puncheons & Flagons.

Themed Snack Recipes Accent a Stunning Cocktail Selection

Another element of this cookbook that I seriously appreciated was the inclusion of snack recipes. These little treats are slotted in beside drinks that they go well alongside and are typically easy to make.

For example, “Dragonberries” turns chickpeas into a spicy, tasty snack perfect alongside the “Loklee” Bourbon cocktail. Additionally, this is a great snack for a Dungeons & Dragons session, as it can be tossed in a bowl and snacked on idly as players work through encounters.

There is at least one snack recipe in each of the book’s ten sections, offering readers a nice selection of options to try. My personal favorite has to be the “Tearoom Cookies”, as they are the perfect little treat, and my son loves to help me bake them.

An Impressive Mocktail Section Makes The Selection

One of the hardest challenges for those wanting to provide refreshments for friends at a Dungeons & Dragons session or party is accommodating the whole group.

As someone who drinks alcohol sparingly, and has many sober friends, this can make a cocktail bar a complete buzzkill. However, Puncheons and Flagons has made sure not to leave anyone out. The book offers a whole section of delicious, artist mocktails.

I regularly end up with a plan of sparkling water in a can while surrounded by drinks with bright colors and little umbrellas at parties, so I can’t begin to express my excitement over the beautifully created mocktails available in this cookbook.

The “Kinship Shrub” and “Restoration” are my personal favorites. They are refreshing, pretty, and easy to make. They can also be dressed up with garnishes like lemon wedges, edible flowers, or a sprig of mint. This makes them just as elegant as any other cocktail but without the threat of an instant migraine.

Final Score – 9/10

Dungeons & Dragons has delivered yet another delightful addition to their culinary expansion in Puncheons and Flagons, with inclusion and immersion making it the perfect addition to any fan’s cookbook collection.

Those who enjoyed the official D&D cookbook Heroes’ Feast will find the same attention to detail, ensuring that those who take on a recipe will have something both delicious and lore-driven.

This is the perfect purchase for fans of themed snacks for game nights or parties, and it will be an excellent gift this holiday season for a D&D enthusiast needing new ways to express their love of all things tabletop.

Looking for a way to shake off your newfound hangover? Check out our review for Fitness Boxing Feat. Hatsune Miku and see if its the right thing to get you moving. Alternatively, you can sit back with your drink and read our review on The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1977.

**A review copy of Puncheons & Flagons was provided to Bonus Action for the purpose of this review**

About the Author

Laura Gray

Administrator

Laura Gray, known as Ezra when not putting pen to paper, is a D&D enthusiast with a love of all things written. They are a collector of fantasy and sci-fi novels, a lover of cooking weird food, and a player of farming sims and Pokémon games. When not engrossed in a re-read of Anne McCaffrey or a deep dive into the Adventure Zone: Balance, they can be found sniffing the cats and napping in half-finished crochet projects.

Visit Website View All Posts