Space Nerds Cocktail Week Is Off and (Kessel) Running

Being a geek translates to many realms. There are “Star Wars” geeks. There are “Cocktail Geeks.” And there are “Star Wars/Cocktail Geeks,” which may be one of the greatest geek mash-ups ever. Out of this realization, Space Nerds Cocktail Week was born last year in Boston because as the SpaceNerds press release says matter-of-factly, “Star Wars nerds and cocktail nerds occupy 95% of the same space.” ‘Nuf said.

Obi Wan Negroni

Last year, twenty bars participated, contributing nerdy cocktails to celebrate the beloved sci-fi trilogy with drinks, screenings, and generally tongue-in-cheek festivities (SpaceBols, anyone?) Last year’s geeked-out headquarters were found at Boston’s backbar, re-christened “AckBar” for the week replete with the Admiral’s jaunty figure as a mascot.

This year, from May 4th to May 10th, Space Nerds has gone national with bars from galaxies as far away as Portland, Birmingham, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, and Chicago contributing their own Jedi mind tricks/cocktails. Some of last year’s Force-ful concoctions included the “Obi-Wan Negroni,” the “Dark Side…Car,” and the “Looking for Love in Alderaan Places.” This year, there will be a version of William Shakespeare’s “Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope” in Boston, as well as screenings, costume contests, and trivia — along with plenty of themed cocktails, of course.

Death Star Old Fashioned

To follow the mayhem, check out #SpaceNerdsCW on Twitter and Instagram, or go to their Facebook page, SpaceNerds Cocktail Week. And to see exactly what and where events will be held, hit up the website here.

Storm Trooper with Drink

And, to get you in the mood for the 2015 festivities, below are a few of this year’s cocktails. Drink responsibly, you will, yes.

Order 66

Order 66

Courtesy of Jesse Card, The Knock Back, Portland

Geek insight from Card: “Star Wars has been such a huge source of joy in my life, it’s my ‘hokey religion.’ I wanted to create a drink to celebrate the darkest day of the Jedi Order. Order 66 is the command that Emperor Palpatine gave the Clone Troopers to kill all of the Jedi order. Cruzan Black Strap Rum brings out the rich, brooding Dark Side while the smoky Vida Mezcal is a nod to the smoldering ashes of the once strong Jedi.”

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 oz. Cruzan Black Strap Rum
• 1 oz. Vida Mezcal
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• 3/4 oz. Demerara Syrup
• 3/4 oz. Amontillado Sherry
• 1 dash Each Angostura and Peychaud’s Bitters

Preparation: Shake all ingredients and double strain into an Old Fashioned glass. Add Death Star BFC (aka “Big F’ing Cube, available at amazon.com.)

Millenium Fal Collins

Millenium Fal-Collins

Courtesy of Dan Sabo, Ace Hotel Bar, Los Angeles

• 1 1/2 oz. Blanco tequila
• 3/4 oz. Fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz. Ginger syrup
• 1/2 oz. Giffard Pamplemousse
• 1/4 oz. Amaro di Angostura
• Top with Bundaberg Lemon Lime Soda
• Cucumber wheel, for garnish
• Mint Sprig, for garnish

Preparation: Build in a Collins glass over ice. Top with Soda. Garnish with a cucumber wheel and a mint sprig.