The Sherlock Holmes Drinking Game

by Katie Magnusson March 16, 2011

"Drinking his beer" [SOLI]

[Editor's note: this is the first contribution by Kate, who writes at The Diary of Dr. Watts. If you would like to be considered as a contributor to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere, please see the Contribute page above.]

In the United States at least, Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th) has become a comically irreverent excuse to wear ridiculous hats, paint oneself green and consume excessive amounts of alcohol. If you are a Sherlockian who intends to participate in this silly but entertaining tradition, I suggest taking a look at the “Sherlock Holmes Drinking Game.”

Take along your copy of the Canon to a party or a pub, choose your favorite case and have your friends take turns reading aloud - or if you happen to be dramatically inclined, do it yourself. The important thing is to have fun with it!

The rules are as follows:

1. Take one drink every time Holmes makes an amazing deduction 
2. Take one drink every time Holmes speaks badly about the police 
3. Take one drink every time Holmes lets a perpetrator go free 
4. Take one drink every time Holmes chastises Watson for not 'observing' 
5. Take one drink every time someone rushes into the rooms at 221B 
6. Take one drink every time Holmes and/or Watson dash off in a hansom cab 

The creator of this game is Jill Brumer, “Sherlock Holmes Examiner” on Examiner.com. You can find her article introducing the game and from there you can find some inventive cocktail recipes inspired by the adventures. Ms. Brumer is making her way through the Canon, creating a drink to go with each story and providing an account of every drink taken. Even if you don’t drink, it’s an entertaining read. As she says at the start of her article for “The Blue Carbuncle,” “I knew my interest in both drinking and Sherlock Holmes would pay off eventually.”

Note: I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere does not advocate for the consumption of alcohol. Please behave responsibly and take heed of all local laws and ordinances. Know your limits and don't overimbibe.
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