The Stranger
A cocktail blends sarsaparilla-like herbal, spicy, bitter, and effervescent flavors, with each ingredient representing a key character in the Dude’s story. (Recipe Below)
The Big Lebowski story is told by an omniscient storyteller who inspired our second cocktail "The Stranger" (Sam Elliot) sits at the bowling alley bar sipping on sarsaparilla while telling this wild-and-inspiring-to-him story. This inspired us to come up with a cocktail that tastes like sarsaparilla made up of all of the major characters in Dude's story. Herbal, complex and smooth Absinthe represents Dude. Fireball Whiskey for hot- headed best friend, Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and for the flavors of cinnamon, sweet with a slight bit of wood. Mezcal for bowling rival Jesus Quintana (John Tuturro); it adds an earthiness and deeper flavors with very little smoke that Mezcal is known for. Kummel for the German Nihilists who blackmail the Big Lewbowski and it gives the cocktail its warm caraway and cumin flavors. Vanilla for Donny Karabastos (Steve Buscemi) the underrated, supportive friend, a little bit of vanilla adds a smooth buttery flavor that brings up the sweetness without adding sweetener. A little bit of Cynar goes a long way, its bitterness and vegetal flavor are a must have in a sarsaparilla, and in a wealthy philanthropist that started the "Little Lebowski Urban Achievers" who has a obvious chip on his shoulder for The Big Lewbowski's (David Huddleston) position in the world. His assistant, Brandt (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is a bit salty, but necessary like Saline which adds the necessary saltiness needed to bring up and bring together the flavors. Spicing up, and adding an effervescent interest to The Dude's story, is Maude Lewbowski (Julianne Moore), the beautiful and artsy red-head represented by Ginger Beer in this cocktail. Finally, the reason for the desecrated rug, the kidnapping and the ransom money mis-haps is Bunny Lewbowski (Tara Reid) in her little green bikini and cute green toe nails, she's represented by a bouquet of beautiful green mint atop the cocktail.
The Stranger
.5 oz (15mL) Mezcal
.75 oz (22.5mL) Fireball Whiskey
.5 oz (15mL) Kummel
.5 oz (15mL) Absinthe
Bar spoon Vanilla Extract
Bar spoon Cynar
Bar spoon Saline
2 oz Ginger Beer
Fresh Mint
In a mixing glass, combine .5 oz Mezcal, .75 oz Fireball Whisky, .5 oz Kummel, .5 oz Absinthe, .25 oz Vanilla Syrup, barspoon of Cynar and dropper of Saline. Fill with ice and stir for 1 minute to chill. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with 3 small spheres, top with ginger beer and garnish with a mint bouquet.
Homemade Ginger Beer
To Make Ginger Bug:
3 Tbs (45 g) Fresh Ginger Root with skin (divided)
3 Tbs (45 g) Organic Cane or Palm Sugar (divided)
Filtered Water
Day One: Combine 1 Tbs (15 g) of cut ginger, and 1 Tbs (15 g) sugar in a pint jar or water tight container. Fill with filtered water and cover with lid, shake to stir. Remove lid and cover with a towel on top to allow air flow and leave at room temperature.
Day Two: Add another 1 Tbs (15 g) of cut ginger, and 1 Tbs (15 g) sugar. Cover with lid, shake to stir, remove lid and replace with towel store at room temperature.
Day Three: Add another 1 Tbs (15 g) of cut ginger, and 1 Tbs (15 g) sugar. Cover with lid, shake to stir, remove lid and replace with towel store at room temperature. Leave until day 7 when bubbles will be apparent. The Ginger Bug is ready to use! Store in refrigerator and feed at least once a week or when used.
To Make Ginger Beer:
.5 lb (227 g) Fresh Ginger
.5 - 1 cup (100-200 g) Organic Cane Sugar
Filtered Water
Juicing Method: Juice fresh ginger to make about 1 cup of liquid. Combine in a flip top glass bottle with .5 - 1 cup (to taste) of sugar and top with filtered water. Shake to combine. Leave at room temperature out of direct sunlight for 3 days making sure to open the bottle at least once a day to relieve built up pressure. Once desired fizziness is achieved, store in the refrigerator and be mindful to cover when opening because of built up pressure.
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Mi Mama Me Dijo Mezcal
90 proof/45% ABV
Grupo Gastronomico Gracias A Dios, S.De R.L.
Double distilled, made from Maguey Espadin and Joven agaves fired in wood ovens, fermented and distilled twice. Results are a smoky, earthy mezcal without a bite and a finish of burnt almonds. An affordable bottle that makes a great mixing mezcal.
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Fireball Whiskey
66 proof/33% ABV
Sazerac Company
A blended Canadian whisky with sweeteners and cinnamon flavoring added to produce a syrupy sweet and bright cinnamon flavor.
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Absinthe
138 Proof/ 69% ABV
Grande Absente
This anise and sweet fennel flavored spirit has a long history of popularity and lore surrounding its ban largely due to French Bohemian culture. Made from a number of medicinal and culinary herbs, but most notable is wormwood. Absinthe is characterized by having high alcohol content and no added sweeteners.
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Cynar
33 proof/16.5% ABV
Gruppo Campari
A low sugar, low alcohol bitter amaro. Made by macerating artichokes along with other plants, herbs and spices in a neutral grain spirit in two stages over several weeks. It is filtered and then blended with sugar, water and caramel color for balance. The bitterness of this amaro is pronounced in the sides of the mouth with a lightly sweet, vegetal and earthy flavors that can open up in the middle of the palate.
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Vanilla Extract
White vanilla is chosen for its lack of color and overall smoother flavor. Pure Mexican vanilla is ideal to give the cocktail a strong vanilla flavor.
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Salt/Saline
Salt is a great flavor changer. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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Ginger Beer
A non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage that is flavored strongly of ginger root with various levels of sweetness, depending on the brand. Ginger Beer was historically made by natural fermentation. We love the Ginger-Bug Ginger Beer.
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Fresh Mint
Fresh mint is a welcomed garnish to most cocktails because of it's fragrant and fresh quality. The recognizable flavor and scent of mint acts as a palate cleanser and opener which really gets you ready to enjoy your cocktail.
The Dude Abides: Craft Cocktails Inspired by The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski is a cult-classic film that helped revive the White Russian cocktail while celebrating the laid-back lifestyle of The Dude. “The Dude Abides,” is an upside-down White Russian cocktail with layered coconut, cream, and coffee flavors inspired by the movie’s central character. The second craft cocktail, “The Stranger,” is designed to taste like sarsaparilla and built from ingredients representing each major character in the film. Through creative mixology, the cocktails connect iconic Big Lebowski characters, themes, and scenes to complex, character-driven cocktail recipes. Fans of The Big Lebowski, classic cocktails, and pop-culture-inspired drinks are invited to enjoy these cocktails while rewatching this movie.
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