The Big Lebowski with Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi is a classic movie. A cult classic even. If you have not seen it yet, make yourself a cocktail and stream it! If you have seen it, then you know immediately which cocktail goes with this film: the just-as-classic cocktail called the White Russian!
But what you might not know is that the film has had such an impact on some bartenders that they have created other cocktails over the years that are even more delicious (and complex) than the White Russian! And they all have something to do with The Big Lebowski. Let's get to it!
#1. Donny's Element
"Donny, you're out of your element! Dude, the Chinaman is not the issue here!"
This wonderful coffee-tiki cocktail was created by American bartender Chris Day and based on John Goodman's line.
Glass: Tiki-mug or highball
Ice: Crushed
Method: Whip shake
Ingredients:
45ml St. Lucia Spiced Rum
15ml Coffee Liqueur
15ml Banana liqueur
45ml Coconut cream
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Banana leaf.
#2. The Big Lebowski.
For an Apertivo Film Festival in Zagreb, colleague Ivan Mandaric created a delicate cocktail. As you can see, it has nothing to do with the White Russian, but has a different story:
"I chose The Big Lebowski because I really liked the film which I first watched in 2018 and it stuck with me as I was thinking of incorporating mezcal in my cocktails. The love for mezcal sours and this movie made me decide to name my drink after The Big Lebowski."
Glass: Rocks
Ice: Cubed
Method: Dry Shake & Double Strain
Ingredients:
40ml Mezcal
15ml St. Germain
10ml Lime juice
10ml lemon juice
10ml sugar syrup
1 Egg white
Garnish: bay leaf
#3. Hot Red Head.
Based on the playful Bunny Lebowski, the crew of Honor Kitchen & Cocktails created this cocktail.
Glass: Coupe
Ice: Up
Method: Dry Shake & Double Strain
Ingredients:
1 Mint sprig
15ml Sugar syrup
30ml Fernet Branca
15ml Amaro Montenegro
15ml Lemon juice
2 dashes Peach Bitters
45ml Cranberry juice
Garnish: Mint sprig
#4. Ash in the Wind.
Another Donny cocktail! Again from the crew of Honor Kitchen & Cocktails
Glass: Coupe
Ice: Up
Method: Dry Shake & Double Strain
45ml Mezcal
15ml Dolin Genepy
15ml Green Chartreuse
15ml Sugar syrup
20ml Lemon juice
30ml Ginger rub
Garnish: a black sea salt rim on your glass.
#5. The Dude's Delight.
New Orleans bartender Tim Webb created this bad boy. Based on both the film and the White Russian, he brought the world an improvement by adding coffee and Sambuca.
Glass: Neat Rocks
Ice: Up
Method: Dry Shake & Double Strain
Ingredients:
30ml Vodka
30ml Coffee Liqueur
7,5ml Sambuca
120ml Milk
30ml Espresso
Garnish: Cocoa powder