Ch. Ch. Ch. Ah. Ah. Ah.
Actually, no… Google has corrected me. Sorry. Let’s start over. And… Action!
Ki. Ki. Ki. Ma. Ma. Ma.
Two syllables and six sounds that underscore twelve movies and well over 200 kills. All of this stemmed from very humble beginnings: A group of enthusiastic camp counselors, a young boy in need of swimming lessons, and a mother’s revenge.
Tom Savini, Make-up artist on Friday the 13th.
Friday the 13th: A movie that sparked an entire genre of slasher movies. Why do kids keep going to summer camp? They should have learned their lesson. It also allowed its villain to take so many beautiful adventures. From Manhattan to outer space and even Hell; Jason is a killer filled with wanderlust in its truest form.
The first film in the series had a different killer, though Drew Barrymore’s memory may recall something different (If you know, you know). Jason isn’t even mentioned for the first hour and 16 minutes of the film, nor does he don the iconic hockey mask for 2 more movies. Rather, Pamela Voorhees, portrayed by Betsy Palmer, was our sneaky little killer with a head full of voices. Although Friday the 13th was a box office hit, Miss Palmer only narrowly signed onto the movie. She is quoted in saying it’s a “piece of sh*t” and only signed on because she needed money for a new car. Glad things worked out for her.
Only two months after the hit opening of Friday the 13th, we received another movie that rocked this world: Blue Lagoon. With a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 8%, we know it was a hit. Predating the movie by around 10-20 years, the world was also given a cocktail by the same name. Do they have any relation? No. Do I care? Absolutely not. Creating a riff on the Blue Lagoon only seemed fitting when talking about a movie based on a summer camp in which a lake is crucial to the plot. Sue me. So, let’s drink like Crazy Ralph. Without further ado, I give you:
Crystal Lake
1.5 oz Nolet’s Gin
0.75 oz Blueberry Lemon Shrub*
0.5 oz Honey Syrup
0.25 oz Blue Curaçao
Tonic Water
Tiny Canoe
In a shaker, combine Nolet’s Gin, blueberry lemon shrub, honey syrup, and Blue Curaçao. Shake over ice. Strain over fresh ice and top with tonic water. Garnish with a tiny toy canoe. I didn't. Do as I say, not as I do.
*You may be asking “What in the world is a shrub?” A shrub is an infused vinegar-based liquid that is typically added to cocktails. Yes, yes... Vinegar seems odd, but it works in the exact same way that lemon or lime would. It brings the acidity to the party; a necessity in balancing a cocktail. Try them out, you won’t be disappointed.
Article by Noah Welter
Noah J. Welter is a Pittsburgh based bartender and film artist. His cocktail creations have been featured throughout the world in a multitude of bars and immersive events. Noah takes a distinctly unique approach to the creation of his cocktails by combining his love for film and cocktail culture, historically linking them together. To find more of his work, drink and otherwise, you can visit www.noahjwelter.com.
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This Friday the 13th, gin up a couple of these killer cocktails, courtesy of our resident mixologist, Noah!