Inspired by the powerful, emotional story of the Oscars Best Picture Nominee film Nickel Boys, this Two Souls Cocktail showcases what lies beneath the surface. In the Jim Crow South, two Black teenagers are sent to Nickel Academy Reformatory. They find refuge only in each other. You’re going to want something strong: the violence and abuse makes this film a rough one to get through. Mix up our Two Souls Cocktail, a dark version of a New York Sour. This cocktail places a bright orange, yellow mix at the bottom and a sea of red wine overtop, meaning the sweet goodness of life always waits below the bad times. It’s a visual representation of the hardships these two main characters must endure to make it into the light.
What is Nickel Boys About?
Nickel Boys is a film adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. It depicts the experiences of two young Black boys at the Nickel Academy, a brutal reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. The film delves into themes of systemic racism, abuse, and also the resilience of the human spirit. It follows Elwood Curtis (Ethan Herisse), an idealistic and intelligent young man, whose life plans take a devastating turn. At the school he forms a crucial friendship with Turner (Brandon Wilson), more of a troublemaker and streetwise boy. Together, they navigate the horrors of the academy, confronting the corruption and violence while grappling with their own views on survival and justice.
Nickel Boys Two Souls Cocktail
- Yield: Makes 1
Description
You may need a cocktail or two to watch this heart-wrenching film.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Elijan Craig Small Batch Bourbon
- .75 oz smoked maple syrup
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Top with red wine
Instructions
- Combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well then pour into a glass with ice.
- Using a bar spoon, carefully float red wine on the top of the cocktail and serve.
Recipe by Amnelis Cruz, The Oaklander Hotel
Photography and Styling by Kylie Thomas
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