To be honest, Christmas is not my favorite holiday; that would be Halloween, but I recognize I’m (probably) in the minority. However, I do like Christmas movies…so let’s all raise a glass to Bad Santa! Or not.
Anyway, I’m not a huge fan of eggnog so I thought, “What would Billy do?” In my alternate universe, he would reprise his role of Bad Santa, grab Jeff Bridges who would reprise his role of The Dude from the film “The Big Lebowski”, and have a grand old time drinking around a yule log. One can dream.
Bad Lebowski
Equipment
- Boston Shaker
Ingredients
- 1 oz Old Grand Dad Bonded Bourbon
- 1 oz Tia Maria
- 1/4 oz Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps
- Cinnamon Powder
- Peppermint Sprig
Instructions
- Add ice to a mixing glass. Add all ingredients. Stir for approximately 30 seconds. Strain into a large rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish: Cinnamon Powder and Peppermint Sprig
My Take
The theory behind this cocktail was to keep it cheap, strong, and simple; just like the two lead characters in Bad Santa and The Big Lebowski. The basic structure of The Bad Lebowski is the drink Jeff Bridges character, The Dude, loved so much in the film; a White Russian. Old Grand Dad Bonded Bourbon was featured prominently in Bad Santa. It’s a cheap, (relatively) easy to find bourbon that is actually pretty damn good. You hipsters can overpay for Basil Hayden’s; Billy Bob and I know better. Rumple Minze has a nasty reputation; I just read a hilarious review online that described the hangovers this libation causes and it ain’t pretty. At 100 proof, it is much stronger than most liqueurs, and it definitely deserves a place of honor in this cocktail. Rounding out the flavor profile, a coffee liqueur like Tia Maria and a Bourbon Crème gives depth and richness to drink while taming the proof of the primary spirits. If you want to get all fancy with it, douse the glass with dashes of cinnamon and, of course, the mandatory peppermint sprig. I seriously doubt Billy or Jeff would have done this though, but I’m a cocktail geek so I went with it. Merry Christmas!
Music Pairing
Clearance Clearwater Revival “Lookin’ out My Back Door” A–Side Single off of “Long as I Can See the Light” (Fantasy) 1969
The Dude from the film “The Big Lebowski” reintroduced this famous CCR staple back in 1998. He wasn’t drinking bourbon at the time, but close enough. As long as it isn’t an Eagles song; The Dude doesn’t do Eagles.
Cheers!
