Movie Style Guy

Movie Style Guy: No Country for Old Cocktails

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 14, 2007

Howdy folks. In honor of No Country for Old Men going into wide release this weekend, I figured I’d help you celebrate in the proper style. I know I’ve been slacking on the tip giving, so please forgive me. So let’s get down to it.

No Country For Old Men takes place in the dusty South West and thats how we’re going to be inspired. Modern Western. Now, to properly enjoy this film, we’re going to need a good pair of blue jeans. Not some designer so tight you can’t get you wallet in them jeans, just a nice relaxed pair thats clean enough to wear in public but comfortable enough to wear while sitting on the porch. Now, desert nights get a touch cold, so lets add to that a lightweight cotton shirt, the pattern is up to you. Full sleeves for night. Now, if you want to man up one step, just get a nice relaxed t-shirt, not too loose, with a pocket on the chest. Most importantly, a nice pair of relaxed fit boots. Can I recommend Durangos Slouch Fit? I can? I do.

Now, on to the real celebration. The drinks. What are we having out here? Well, let me offer you up three options.

Domestic Beer

It’s American, because its made here. Forget ales, porters, and droughts for now, they’re too heavy for the heat. I won’t endorse light beer, but I might condone it. Otherwise, just grab yourself a delicious brew. Again, we want to avoid heavy so Miller High Life or Genuine Draft, Coors, Budweiser, any of these will do nicely. Now, if you want a little taste of the border, Dos Equis, Tecate, ok. I won’t press it. No Corona though, not in my column.

Whiskey Straight

Simple recipe. Take a shot glass. Fill with whiskey. Drink. Continue. Or, grab a nice glass, fill her halfway up and have at it. Jack Daniels is obviously a fine choice, but my recommendation for both taste and budget is Old Crow. Damn fine drinking.

Ok fine, I won’t count that one and instead give you something amazingly simple, yet utterly delicious.

Jack and Ginger

Take a glass, throw in 3 ice cubes, add whiskey to taste. You know how strong you like it. I prefer about 3oz of Old Crow, but if you’re new to whiskey, take half that. Also, the recipe clearly calls for Jack Daniels, but I won’t tell if you don’t. Now, top off the glass with 5-7oz of Ginger Ale. Add a single cherry and enjoy. No straws.

Whiskey Sour

Yup, us cowboys love us the whiskey. I’ll give you two recipes, one old fashioned and one easy for you city boys. First up, the easy way. Get some Sweet and Sour Mix. I recommend Dr. Swami and Bone Daddy’s Sweet and Sour mix. If you’re buying a mix, accept no substitutes! Take your glass, hit with 3 ice cubes, pour in 1.5 to 3oz whiskey, depending on your tastes. Next, pour in 4oz of S&S mix, stir, garnish with cherry and enjoy.

For your chemists out there, take a glass. Put in your ice cubes. Take a shaker, or any other vessel, and pour in 2oz of whiskey, the juice of 1/2 a lemon, and 1/2 a teaspoon of powdered sugar. Shake, strain, pour. Garnish with a cherry and a slice of orange. Or, you can make your own sour mix for use later with a ratio of 1oz lemon juice, 1oz sugar, 2oz water. Upscaling that for storage is simple, for a half liter of the sweet stuff, you’ll need 4oz lemon juice, 4oz sugar, and 8oz water. Mix it, shake it, store it.

Well that’ll just about do it. Remember, the cowboy way is one of attitude. Be relaxed and patient. Sip your drink, don’t slam it. Unless its a whiskey shot. Feel free to experiment with your drinks. Keep the tastes of the West in your mind. They should all have a bit of a kick to them. Dr. Pepper makes a fine mixer with a kick to it. But remember, keep it simple.

Happy trails, folks.