The Dude Abides: Craft Cocktails Inspired by The Big Lebowski

This cult-classic movie has a story with very little conclusion and seems like it's only purpose is to revive a long-forgotten cocktail The White Russian.  Bowling and drinking White Russians seem to be Dude's (Jeff Bridges) only two activities everyday and he's happy about that simplicity.  His life is turned upside-down when he is ambushed in his home by two thugs looking owed money to a porn king-pin from a different Lebowski's wife.  During the scuffle, one of the thugs urinates on his oriental rug forcing Dude to confront The Big Lebowski for compensation and adding more to his daily agenda than he ever really wanted.  

Our first cocktail is inspired by the Lebowski that knits this whole story together.  Called "The Dude Abides" the line The Dude says after all the story that turned his life upside down is over.  That is why we wanted to make an upside down version of the cocktail The Dude often had in his hand whenever possible.  Much like the story, this cocktail has a few layers, each with their own distinct flavors that comes together with lots of flavor and texture.  The bottom layer is a clear layer made by stirring together Coconut Rum and Vanilla Simple Syrup stirring the rum softens the coconut making it a delicious base for this flipped White Russian.  The middle layer is a creamy foam made with Amaretto, Lemon Juice and Half and Half giving the cocktail a nice, creamy middle layer that's sweet and bright.  The top layer is a coffee foam made by frothing together Instant Coffee Granules, Sugar and Coffee Liqueur.  The deep, dark and somewhat bitter flavors in this layer are so thick and foamy, it allows the layers beneath to come through and pick up the coffee with it.  It's a delightfully complex White Russian turned on it's head like the Dude, and "Whelp, The Dude Abides.".   

The 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.