Episode 253: Cocktail & the Turquoise Blue

This week we’re flipping bottles, sliding across the bar, and leaning into the high-octane neon cheese of the 1988 classic, Cocktail! We’re joining Brian Flanagan and Doug Coughlin as they master the art of flair bartending and chase the "Organization Man" dream from the Upper East Side to the beaches of Jamaica. We'll discuss Tom Cruise's megawatt grin, the legendary "Coughlin’s Law," and whether this movie is a cautionary tale or just a two-hour music video for "Kokomo."

To celebrate the film that practically invented the "celebrity bartender" trope, we’re shaking up a drink that looks exactly like a tropical vacation in a glass: The Turquoise Blue. This vibrant, island-inspired cocktail captures the 80s aesthetic perfectly with its stunning ocean hue.

So, grab your tins, practice your behind-the-back tosses (at your own risk), and get ready to raise a glass to the film that made us all want to open a bar called Cocktails & Dreams: Cocktail!

• .5oz Silver Rum
• .5oz Triple Sec
• .5oz Blue Curaracao
• 1.5oz Sweet & Sour Mix
• 1.5oz Pineapple Juice

Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into coupe or goblet.

This week on we are sprinting back into the wasteland for the long-awaited, bone-chilling return to the franchise that redefined the genre: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. We’ll be discussing the terrifying evolution of the Rage Virus nearly three decades on, and the mystery surrounding the "Bone Temple" itself. Is it a site of survival, or a monument to the end of humanity?

In a world that’s gone to hell, you need a drink with a devilish kick. We’re pouring The Old Nick, a potent, spirit-forward cocktail. It’s a slow-sipper designed to keep the nerves steady while you’re hiding out in the shadows of the temple.

So, get ready to raise a glass to the return of the Rage in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple!

• 2oz Rye or Blended Whiskey
• .5o Drambouie
• .5oz Orange Juice
• .5oz Lemon Juice
• 3 Dashes Orange Bitters

Muddle ginger and add blended scotch, lemon juice, honey syrup and ice to a shaker tin. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Top with islay scotch.

This week we’re heading to the gritty streets of Edinburgh for the visceral, high-octane 1996 masterpiece, Trainspotting! We’re choosing life, choosing a job, and choosing to dive deep into Danny Boyle’s groundbreaking look at Renton and his circle of friends. We’ll discuss the iconic "Choose Life" opening, the pulse-pounding Britpop soundtrack, and how the film balances dark, surreal humor with the harsh realities of addiction and friendship.

Since the characters in Trainspotting are often looking for a "fix" or a way to numb the world around them, we’re serving up a drink that feels like a bit of a medicinal miracle: The Penicillin. This modern classic is the perfect tribute to the film’s Scottish roots, featuring a base of Blended Scotch Whisky shaken with Fresh Lemon Juice and a spicy-sweet Honey-Ginger Syrup.

So, grab your glasses and get ready to raise a glass to Trainspotting!

Cocktail inspiration comes from Cinema Sips!!

• 2 oz blended Scotch whiskey
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ¾ oz honey syrup (1 part water + 1 part honey, boiled)
• ¼ oz smoky Islay single malt scotch
• Fresh ginger

Muddle ginger and add blended scotch, lemon juice, honey syrup and ice to a shaker tin. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Top with islay scotch.

This week we are popping the cork on a massive milestone—it’s our 250th Episode! To celebrate this quarter-thousand mark, we are traveling back to Pandora for the highly anticipated third chapter in James Cameron’s epic saga, Avatar: Fire and Ash. We’ll discuss how the visual effects continue to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible on the big screen.

Since it’s our big anniversary, we’re also taking a moment to look back at the most influential films in cinema history—the game-changers that defined genres, broke the box office, and inspired us to start this podcast 250 episodes ago. From the original Avatar to the classics that paved the way, we’re celebrating the power of the moving image.

To match the volcanic intensity of the new film and the gravity of our 250th show, we’re shaking up a drink that’s as bold as a banshee flight: The Smoke and Ash. This cocktail features a base of Mezcal for that signature earthy fire. It’s a complex, smoldering drink that’s perfect for a deep dive into the fires of Pandora.

So, grab your 3d glasses, connect your Avatar, and get ready to raise a massive toast to 250 episodes of Drink the Movies!

• 2oz Mecal
• 1oz Aperol
• .5oz Coffee Liqueur
• .25oz Agave 

Shake or stir ingredients with ice. Serve over ice with flamed orange peel for garnish.

This week we take a look back at 2025 and ahead to some exciting things for 2026!

• Midnight Manhattan 

Pour into a glass and enjoy! Let us know your favorite pre-made cocktails!

This week we're heading to the North Pole for a magical career change in the 1994 holiday favorite, The Santa Clause! We'll talk about Scott Calvin's accidental inheritance of the big red suit, the hilariously detailed rules of the Santa Clause, and the heartwarming journey of a skeptical dad turning into the one and only Santa Claus. It’s a classic Christmas tale that makes believers out of all of us!

To fully embrace the snowy, whimsical magic of Santa's world, we're mixing up a stunningly festive and creamy cocktail The Snow Globe.

So, put on your warm pajamas, grab your favorite teddy bear, and get ready to raise a glass to The Santa Clause!

Cocktail comes from ⁠ABC Wine & Spirits!

• 2oz Gin
• .5oz Peppermint Syrup
• .5oz Lime Juice
• .5oz Almond Milk
• Club Soda
• 
  

Garnish with Candy Cane rim

 Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Stir then strain into chilled glass rimmed with crushed candy cane.

This week we're heading back to Tim Burton's beautifully dark and snow-covered Gotham City for the 1992 masterpiece, Batman Returns! We'll talk about Batman and the iconic villains, Catwoman and The Penguin. We'll discuss Danny DeVito's repulsive yet tragic characterization, Michelle Pfeiffer's electrifying transformation, and the Gothic, Christmas-time aesthetic that makes this sequel unforgettable.

To honor the complexity and dark allure of the city and its feline anti-hero, we're mixing up The Gotham City Cat. This cocktail elevates the classic gin experience by featuring a rich, complex Barrel-Aged Gin. It's a smooth, dangerous, and surprisingly sophisticated drink—just like Selina Kyle herself.

So, put on your cowl (or your best leather), pour a strong one, and get ready to raise a glass to Batman Returns!

Cocktail comes from Barr Hill!

• 2oz Barrel Aged Gin
• 1oz Sweet Vermouth
• 3-4 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish with Cherry/Orange Twist

 Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Stir then strain into chilled coupe glass, or ice filled rocks glass.