Cocktail Concept with a Cosmic Twist

When they asked me to create a drink for an event featuring William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson, I had this weird mix of feelings—mostly excitement, but also this nagging pressure. ROCKING: The Universe Is Absurd wasn't your typical event. The whole thing revolved around these massive, cosmic conversations, and I knew the cocktail couldn't just be... there. It needed to match that vibe.

Making It Mean Something

I didn't want to just hand people a cocktail. I wanted them to feel like they were part of the experience. So we played around with the language, kept it fun, a little provocative. We'd ask things like, "What does your universe taste like?" Sounds cheesy maybe, but it worked. People started thinking about their drink differently, making it their own thing.

The Night Itself

Watching it all unfold was honestly the best part. The drink ended up being this unexpected conversation starter. People weren't just sipping and nodding—they were actually talking about it. The flavors sparked something, got them connecting the dots between what they were tasting and the bigger themes of the night.

I'd overhear these conversations about space, about science, about the inspiration behind the ingredients. More than a few people said it made them feel like they were part of something bigger than just a party. That shared moment thing? That's exactly what I'd hoped for.