Why we love the Vodka Sour Cocktail Because it’s like that friend who always shows up to the party r...
The problem with cocktail
Firstly, God Damn do I love this film, (the 1988 hollywood version not the more recent Far Eastern variations) it is one of those films that I could watch over and over and over again, and Tom Cruise just happens to be one of my favourite actors ever. But there are some definite problems to be had if we look at it with a critical bartenders eye.
First of all, no matter what you say, in our realm of creation of damn-fine tasting drinks, there is no place for a Red-Eye. A coworker/flatmate and I experimented after watching it post-shift one night, and both agreed that it might possibly be worse than any other imbibable(is that a word?) liquid in the world when done the “Cocktail” way. Sure there are recipes that call for an egg to add something to a cocktail, (normally texturising the drink) rather than just floating on the top? It seems like an over the top protein shake gone wrong to me? There is however a slightly modified Japanese version which Ereich Vaughn Empey considers in blog post that I cannot find anywhere. However, as this isn’t a post concerning strictly the red-eye then we’ll leave it to him to help cultivate some more ideas about it.
My main problem with cocktail isn’t Doug Coughlin’s (Bryan Brown) outrageously contrived philosophical diatribe, nor the loosely padded bullshit “boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy fucks up , regains her love eventually” plot, nor the hippy hippy shake.
It is however, the inability of the cast and director to properly convey how much it physically and mentally hurts to do an 10 hour shift, close the bar at 2 or 3 am then head back in first thing in the morning for opening. And for someone who at one time was doing 11am to 4/5am 6 days a week that’s pretty annoying. Sure, they manage to get in some of the bar closing, but mainly just the bit where you sit back and have a beer after work is done. For a film that has a loose plot which is padded by a whole lot of bartending, there is very little actual bartending going on. Sure, they make a lot of drinks and throw a lot of bottles, but where’s the prep, or the lugging of kegs, or the 3 hour deep clean once a week?
This film apparently inspires lots of people to try their hand at bartending, I certainly have a few non-bartender friends who thought that it would be a great idea after watching the film. Why can’t someone make a real film about bartending, I know that I would go and see it repeatedly at my local cinema. Preferably in 3D so the flair bottles can come flying out of the screen at you, and maybe smell-o-vision too?
Coughlin’s law: never show surprise, never lose your cool.
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
Filed with tags
More to explore
The Alabama Slammer is a '70s kind of tiki bar, umbrella-topped, sweet tasting cocktail immortalized...
A drink that celebrated the end of war and oppression in Cuba, the Cuba Libre is light, delicious, a...
Tag cloud
Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.
-
Amaretto
-
Italian Cocktails
-
Cocktail Recipe
-
Poland
-
Old Cuban
-
Shaken Cocktails
-
Grand Marnier
-
Creative Cocktails
-
Reggae
-
Paloma
-
Irish
-
Mixology Challenges
-
Bar Reviews
-
Martini
-
Speakeasies
-
Aviation
-
Resorts
-
90s Cocktails
-
Christmas
-
Mint Julep
Bartender's top tip
Related posts
The History of the Pornstar Martini
In 2018, the Pornstar Martini was named as the UK’s favourite cocktail, cementing its place on cocktail lists around the country. It may not be the most refined drink, and its name is certainly more t... read more
History of the Old Cuban
Cuban drinks have quite a cult following in the cocktail world. Stunning cocktails including the daiquiri, mojito, and el presidente were made on the small Caribbean island and are all made with local... read more
History of the B52
A well-made B52 shot is a true testament to the artistry and skill involved in cocktail crafting. This elegant drink comprises a beautifully layered mix of Baileys Irish Cream, orange liqueur, and cof... read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub
The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.
Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.
Let's go