FFXIV’s Potions contain only alcohol and fruit juice
Yesterday my Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Cookbook arrived. I was expecting a romp through the delicious Hydaelyn delights, from the savory dishes of Limsa Lominsa and the spicy dishes at Utah. Victoria Rosenthal, the author, has helpfully documented the best Namazu Culinarian Gyohan recipes in the book.
I didn’t expect to discover essential information about the foundations of Final Fantasy. I wasn’t prepared to lose my love for the franchise. Grainger would have it, “Prithee,” these words make my strongest convictions ashes; my mind weeps as the truth holds it captive. What other calamities does this tome portend?
The book’s drinks section contains the offending recipes. They are located towards the end. The Hi-Elixir (and the X-Potion) are both Thanalan-derived libations. They are variations of Final Fantasy staples, the Potion or Elixir. The one heals all wounds, while the other restores the body and soul.
These are the ingredients for Hi-Elixir:
- 1/2 rosemary sprig
- 1-ounce curacao blue
- 1 ounce gin
- Triple sec 1 oz
- 2 ounces lime juice
- Maple syrup 1/2 ounce
The ingredients of the X-Potion include:
- 1 oz Gin
- 2 ounces Moscato
- 4 ounces Lavender Citrus Juice
It begs the question: What gives these drinks their healing powers? What is it? The juice or the alcohol? Is it the juice? Or the alcohol? This concept suggests that while an X-Potion may be heavily based on citrus and lavender, a Potion might be based on a weaker herb such as rosemary mixed with simple lime juice. For a standard Potion, you might use gin, rosemary, sugar, and lime juice. This is almost the Hi-Elixir! Is there a reason for the gap?
Is it the alcohol? I consider the Hi-Elixir’s triple sec and blue curacao and wonder if these alcohols are what you need to be able to cast magic. Maybe any other liqueur can offer the same abilities to your drink. This horizon is genuinely endless and would require a legend mixologist to discover all its corners.
These are just some of the consequences. My Paladin is consuming the equivalent of a bottled Gin & Tonic during his fight against an ancient Primal. As I imagine myself raising my Sheltron shield and screaming “Down the hatch,” I then gulp down a delicious drink in the face of elemental fury. Are we becoming sloppy as we confront the gods Eorzea?
What about beyond Final Fantasy XIV‘s borders? Cloud and company are Clouds walking around with their universe’s version White Claw or Mike’s Hard Lemonade when I stockpile potions Final Fantasy VII? The Final Fantasy VIII party is teens! Squall, Rinoa, and the rest are all below the legal drinking age of 17 years. Is it possible to contribute to underage drinking by keeping your party going?
The cure is a method that allows you to heal yourself from the effects of alcohol or fruit juice. These Final Fantasy spells create a haze around you that gives you the strength you need to fight. Perhaps drink from Final Fantasy heals wounds and is therefore much more effective than our alcohol.
This is a fascinating aspect of the Final Fantasy universe, and I have only scratched the surface. The book doesn’t even contain any Garlean food! What does that group eat? Sadness and gruel. Final Fantasy-inspired cooking is possible with The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Recipe Book. It’s and available in bookstores all over.
