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Holiday plans often come with a soundtrack of favorite films and the urge to sip something cinematic. As the year closes, a handful of movie-famous cocktails can inspire your New Year’s Eve choices — whether you’re mixing at home or ordering at a local bar. NPR’s visit to Death & Co in Washington, D.C., led to a conversation with manager Josh White about how movie lore and fine bartending meet in three memorable drinks.
White Russian: The creamy cult favorite from The Big Lebowski
The White Russian rose to pop-culture fame with The Big Lebowski. At Death & Co, the version keeps things simple and lush. Heavy cream is the defining ingredient.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz Kahlúa (coffee liqueur)
- 1 oz heavy cream
How to make it
- Short shake with ice.
- Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over fresh ice.
- No garnish required — the texture and balance are the focus.
The Vesper martini: Bond’s classic, prepared the elegant way
The Vesper is synonymous with James Bond. Death & Co emphasizes a restrained approach: this Vesper is stirred for clarity and silkiness, not shaken.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz London dry gin
- 0.75 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz Cocchi Americano (or similar aromatized wine)
Preparation and presentation
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well chilled and strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
- Finish with a lemon twist for brightness.
- Tip: Asking for a shaken Vesper changes the texture dramatically. Order stirred if you want the classic experience.
Death Becomes Her: Death & Co’s own green signature cocktail
Named after the 1992 dark comedy, this is a Death & Co original. It blends floral and nutty flavors into a vivid, elegant drink. Expect a complex profile and a soft, frothy finish.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Ambrosia Almond & Rose vodka
- 0.75 oz Fords gin
- 0.25 oz Singani 63
- 1 oz pistachio orgeat
- 0.5 oz pepita (pumpkin seed) orgeat
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz egg white
- Top with soda water
Method and garnish
- Dry shake all ingredients except soda to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice, shake again, and strain into a single old-fashioned glass.
- Top carefully with soda water for lift.
- Garnish with a rose bud and a light spritz of rose water from an atomizer for aroma.
- Variation: pistachio orgeat can be adjusted to taste to highlight nuttiness or floral notes.
Choosing the right movie cocktail for New Year’s Eve
Picking a drink depends on mood, company, and how much prep you want to do. These quick pointers help match the cocktail to your night.
- For relaxed nights: choose the White Russian for comfort and simple prep.
- For a sophisticated toast: the stirred Vesper reads classic and refined.
- For something showy and original: Death Becomes Her brings color and texture.
- Consider batching: scale recipes for a crowd, but keep egg white and soda additions fresh.
- Substitute ingredients: swap spirits or orgeats to suit availability while keeping balance in mind.
