Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Star Wars Sangria Recipe

Year Released: 2005
Directed by: George Lucas
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson
(PG-13, 146 min.)

"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Yoda, The Phantom Menace

“George went deep and he didn’t drop the ball.” Chris Holoka

“The redemption of the Saga” Shane Turgeon
“More dialog, more emotion, and more connection” Anne Neumann

Different Drummer has turned to the experts for her review of Revenge of the Sith. The gallant folks at Rebelscum.com are the biggest fans as well as the most severe critics of everything Star Wars. Here’s more of what they had to say, but for a more complete tasting, visit their site.

“What would you do to protect those you love? 

We know Anakin Skywalker turns to the dark side of the Force and becomes Darth Vader. We’ve known this for nearly three decades now. What we’ve never known before was how? And why? With Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Prequel Trilogy, we have our answers. 

Everything Anakin has been taught requires him to stifle his emotions, ridding himself of attachments. But when he allows himself to fall in love, he makes himself vulnerable.” Dan Curto

“There are three things that made the movie an enjoyable and refreshing experience. First the relationships between Anakin and Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padme are explored more deeply than in Episodes I and II, which makes the downfall of Anakin even more pitiable. Second, John Williams' music is superbly matched to the emotions and fight scenes. There is no Star Wars without his accompaniment drawing you into the scene. Finally, I really appreciated the lack of “witty banter,” which is often a hallmark of Star Wars Film. This is a darker film with no need to lighten the mood.” Anne Neumann“Revenge of the Sith is in my eyes, the redemption of the Saga. It made me a fan again, and kept me enthralled for 2 hours.” Shane Turgeon

“The film itself was amazing- a grand fantasy spectacular set in space sums its up in 10 words or less. I really want to go on about how awesome the opening space battle was and how the dipping and diving starfighters made me feel giddy. Or perhaps I should try and express the skin-tingling sensation of the soundtrack, which meshed so closely to the movie that it ever had before. Then there is the build up of mistrust and rage inside Anakin as he faces his mentors, only to discover who his foe really is. What about the joy of learning the origins of some of the most memorable facts and quotes that litter our community? The collapse of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire were all laid out for my eyes, ears, and emotion to feast on. I could also wax lyrical on the lava explosions that were timed to the lightsabre clashes between Anakin and Obi-Wan with such precision it was spooky.” Jeremy Beckett

“The real achievement behind Revenge of the Sith is how it manages to throw new perspectiv on a classic character. It would be nigh impossible to watch Revengeand not have it color your opinion of Darth Vader. Anakin isn’t just evel (and as we see, when a Skywalker falls to the Dark Side, it’ along drop), he's tragic. Just like it needed to, the final installment in the prequels adds new dimensions to the original Holy Trilogy.

Revenge is as good as we’re getting from Modern George (Lucas). With a solid story, plenty of lightsabre action, and perhaps the best soundtrack of the series, we’re pretty dang close to the glorious heights of Vintage George – I’d even say we ended up with something better than Return of the Jedi. Which is a relief.” Chris Holoka

— Rebelscum.com

Film-Loving Foodie

My first Star Wars cocktail party was in 1977, when my otherwise delightful brother-in-law, George, kept handing me these delicious gin giblets, which to this naïve drinker (at that time) tasted like so much tart lemonade. Since my sister and I were not the designated drivers, we loaded the kids (her three and my two) as well as a cooler of the great stuff into the station wagon and went to the drive in theater to see the epic. It is a good thing that this was my second viewing, as I “fell asleep” shortly after the storm troopers intruded on the scene. The next day the dark side of the force inhabited by pounding head until at least early afternoon.

For The Revenge of the Sith I tried to get a hold of “Dead Wookies,” but it is a closely guarded secret, so I have improvised with a drink of my own, courtesy of Alfredo Sanchez of Venezuela.

I hope this recipe for “Star Wars Sangria” will not have the same effect on you as this 1977 initiation into inter-galactic guzzling did on yours truly. It also is sweet and very easy going down – danger signals, especially for female imbibers – so take it easy.

To adapt the sangria (originally “ Seviche and Sangria" from The Shawshank Redemption) I have substituted blood oranges for garden variety ones. Their two shades, an almost flesh tone exterior with the darker ”bloody” inside has great symbolic significance. Darth Vader, Jedi at first, now lured to the Dark Side, is also tied by blood to his inevitable adversaries, Princess Lea and Luke Skywalker. The name “sangria,” which also means blood in Spanish, is a fitting appellation for this cocktail.

If you want to include hint of in hot lava that engulfs Anakin, sprinkle a few dried miniature hot peppers into the punch bowl, or just shake in a few dabs of liquid pepper or some such stuff.

Swizzle sticks can represent the lightsabres. I think that chocolate-filled Pirouettes, with their back and white striped cookie exterior rolled into pencil proportions are perfect. Both sides of the force are represented, but the darker side gets a slight advantage. (Their may be others with a vanilla filling is you want to cheer for the good guys.)

Star Wars Sangria

From the Spanish word for blood, sangre, this red wine drink is a perfect companion for Revenge of the Sith with all the unknown and battling blood lines. My version is from Alfredo Sanchez, who brings his Venezuelan roots and American experience to this sure-to-please punch. And don’t substitute anything for the secret ingredient, Big Red.

• 1 liter Big Red
• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 1 can orange juice concentrate, still frozen
• 1/2 cup Cointreau (or other orange-flavored liqueur)
• *1 bottle Champaign or other sparkling wine (optional)

Garnish with slices of blood oranges. Purchase Pirouettes, either with either dark or light filling, to use as lightsabre swizzle sticks. They can be found in the gourmet cookie aisle of most food stores. I get mine at Sam’s.

Recipe Source: Different Drummer.cc