In the magically detailed world of Wes Anderson, everything from the Futura font to the color of Mendl’s box plays a multi-faceted role in the films. Prompting us with both visual and storyline cues, even cocktails take part, signaling us to a character’s idiosyncratic personality. From Steve Zissou’s simple Campari on the rocks in The Life Aquatic to the ubiquitous Bloody Mary, enjoyed by both Richie in The Royal Tenenbaums and Natalie Portman’s unnamed character in the short Hotel Chevalier, a character’s choice in drink tells us a little more about who they are, via Mr. Anderson.
In that spirit, we’ve gathered an elite team of San Diego’s top mixologists worthy of a Zissou mission to create cocktails based on their favorite Anderson flick. The genius of liquid scientists meets the genius of Wes Anderson? I’ll drink to that.
Madame D
by Christian Siglin, Banker’s Hill Bar + Restaurant
Inspired by The Grand Budapest Hotel
A nod to the film’s “location” and the swirling white beehive of Tilda Swinton
Ingredients
1.25 oz ?ubrówka Bison Grass Vodka
.75 oz Becherovka (an herbal bitters from the Czech Republic)
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz vanilla syrup
Directions: Shake, strain, & serve in Collins glass, top with soda water. Garnish with a lime wheel and Luxardo cherry.
The Internship
by Eric Johnson, Sycamore Den
Inspired by The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
A clever twist on the simple Intern-made Campari on the rocks. “I picture someone drinking this while standing on the deck looking for Jaguar sharks.” -Eric
Ingredients
1 oz Campari
1 oz Pavan French liquer (from Muscat grapes & orange blossom)
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.25 oz simple syrup
Directions: Shake, strain, & serve in Collins glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Stop Motion
by Chris Burkett, CUSP Dining & Drinks
Inspired by The Fantastic Mr. Fox
This perfect brunch cocktail honors the fruit obsessions of foxes & beagles, but don’t worry, these blueberries won’t knock you out.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Lecompte Originel Calvados
.5 oz Benedictine
.5 oz Gran Classico Bitter
1 oz blueberry apple cider shrub
3 dashes Jerry Thomas bitters
Directions: Shake, strain, & serve in a Coupe glass. Garnish with a blueberry & basil leaf.
Chevalier Pearl
Trevor Easter, Noble Experiment
Inspired by short film Hotel Chevalier
Influenced by the color yellow, Jack’s suitcase, and the tension of the dialogue, “I wanted to create a drink that would be held by a person who would be carrying that suitcase.” -Trevor
Ingredients
1.5 oz Cognac
.5 oz Ricard Pastis
.75 oz lemon
.75 oz sugar syrup
Pinch of mint
Directions: Serve with crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprig.
The Whitman
by Erick Castro, Polite Provisions
Inspired by The Darjeeling Limited
On their comical, emotional, and even painful mission, the Whitman brothers drink tea, sweet lime, and of course, cocktails.
Ingredients
2 oz Beefeater Gin infused with Darjeeling Tea*
.75 oz Fresh lime juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
.5 oz Orange Curacao
.5 oz Caribbean Spice Syrup
Directions: Serve in Poco Grande glass with crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprig & pineapple wedge
*Infuse 2 bags of Darjeeling tea into 750ml of Beefeater Gin for 20 minutes.
Cheers!