Day 10: Fear and Loathing

"We can't stop here! This is bat country!" Hello again thirsty readers, and welcome to our tenth day of exile. Is everyone holding up well? I know my backyard office has been a true sanctuary. This whole Covid-19 thing doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon, so we might as well make some cocktails. Today's drink is one I've pulled out of the vault, and it was originally inspired by the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I'm sure most of you have seen this one before, but I'll include a brief description, just in case.

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the works of Hunter S. Thompson. He paints a picture the same way a really intense nightmare only leaves you with the most scattered memories the next day. The film, like the book it was based upon, follows a deranged writer, Raul Duke, through the desert on a drug-fueled adventure, while ruminating on the failure of the 1960s counterculture movement. Our protagonist descends upon Las Vegas to report on the Mint 400 motorcycle race. In tow, is the writers attorney, who does nothing to discourage Duke from behavior which tends to blur the line between fact and fiction. I first came across the movie when I was in college. There was something about the absolute chaos that made me want to keep watching. I was hooked. Years later, I drew inspiration for cocktails from movies and pop-culture so much, I knew I had to make one based on this movie.

In one of the earlier scenes, we find the two main characters sitting poolside at the Beverly Hilton, sipping Singapore Slings with mezcal on the side. So naturally, we are going to have a red drink with mezcal. I also noticed how they kept drinking beer the whole time. Okay then, I'm also going to make it a beer cocktail. Now, if yo've seen the film, I probably don't need to explain the lime, and the pineapple just brought everything together. "I needed something to cut the limes!"

Fear and Loathing

1oz Mezcal (I originally used Ilegal Joven for this drink, but I think you could have fun trying different types of mezcal.)

.5oz Campari

.5oz Lime Juice

.75oz Pineapple Syrup

3oz Light Lager (I originally used PBR)

I always used a collins glass for this one in the past, but we are on vacation after all. I opted for the tiki mug.

Shake and strain all ingredients, except the beer, and strain over cubed ice.

Top with the lager.

garnish with pineapple fronds and flower. Parasol optional.

Pineapple Syrup

Cut 1 fresh pineapple into cubes, removing the rind and core.

Weigh the cubes of pineapple flesh.

Weigh out and equal amount of sugar.

Cover the pineapple in sugar, stirring the combine.

Allow to sit out, covered, for several hours, stiring occasionally.

Press everything through a fine mesh strainer.

I'm pretty sure I hadn't made this drink in about fives years before today. It's always fun coming back to things you enjoy at a certain place or time. It looks like I'm making a bunch of these for dinner tonight. I hope the roomates enjoy. You enjoy them yourself! Until tomorrow, keep calm and shake on.