Die Hard: The Ultimate Action Thriller that Redefined the Modern Hero and Inspired Two Cocktails

Die Hard follows the story of New York City Cop John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, who is at a tipping point between finalizing his separation or fixing his marriage with estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) who is an executive at a major corporation located in Los Angeles, California.  He goes to California to attend Holly's company Christmas party where her importance to the company and the disaffected marital tension are very apparent.  John's discomfort is saved by an organized criminal group led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) that take the party hostage while John is in the bathroom.  Catching onto the situation quickly, John takes refuge on a different floor and through resourcefulness and ingenuity he begins to execute a cobbled plan to thwart Hans Gruber's plans.   

Our first cocktail is inspired by the darkly composed mastermind, Hans Gruber.  His cool and complex demeanor along with his German roots prompted the use of the two spirits in this cocktail.  First, Kummel which is a German spirit flavored with caraway, cumin and fennel giving the flavor a gently sweet, full bodied and fresh herbal flavors this matches with Hans as his true intentions are misunderstood and only revealed in the later part of the film.  German Riesling was also chosen for its region, but also because it is a dry Riesling which matches with Hans Gruber's cold, dry demeanor.  Lemon Oleo Saccharum, The Rhubarb Bitters, Saline and Lemon Oil from the expressed peel all deliciously support and bring out the flavors of the Kummel and Riesling.  We serve this in a coupe glass without a garnish because we wanted to keep this clean looking, like Hans.  For one of movies most hallowed villains, we think this is a fantastic cocktail that really embodies this character.  

Our second cocktail is based on the pure action of John McClane, using his line that says it all, "Yippie Ki Yay" which embodies the battle between John McClane as the American, and Hans Gruber the foreign assailant.  This cocktail is a Manhattan style cocktail which is pulled from John being NYPD.  The base spirit in this cocktail is the American Rye Whiskey.  We went with Locke and Co.'s Aspen Aged Rye because we loved the woody notes and biting character like the scene where John is dragging himself under the conference table trying to dodge bullets and get the bad guy.  Campari is an herbal, bitter liqueur that enhances the wood notes in this rye and the bitterness John McClane's mouth must have had while he tells his aggressor, "Thanks for the advice" as he shoots through the table.  The Hot Honey, and we made it HOT (recipe below) adds a bit of a sting as you drink it and definitely brings up the heat in your mouth adding a sense of danger and action to this drink.  The Sweet Vermouth does not stand out, but it is necessary in bringing in some much needed acidity and a gentle fruit which brings all of the flavors together. Serve this in a chilled rocks glass with a sphere, and don't forget the candy glass (recipe below) as a show-stopping way to garnish this cocktail.