Like a lot of people, I’ve gotten totally caught up in the Heated Rivalry hype currently going around. I love the show and found myself inspired to design a cocktail highlighting the dynamic lead characters. One is Russian and the other is Canadian. Their relationship is defined by contrast, tension, and a kismet level of harmony they discover while navigating the various obstacles they face.
This dynamic became the foundation for The Bear & the Loon.
I set out to create a comforting drink that reflects both the backgrounds and personas of the lead characters without feeling gimmicky. Structurally, the drink presents like a White Russian, but is blessed with martini vibes.
The Bear and the Loon is anchored by vodka, while coffee, maple, and bacon provide warmth, intimacy, and a lived-in, domestic feel. It’s rich without being cloying, indulgent without tipping into dessert territory, and intentionally meant to be sipped slowly. A drinkable metaphor, in my opinion.
The Foundation: Bacon Fat–Washed, Coffee-Infused Vodka
Before building this cocktail, you’ll need to bacon fat wash your vodka and then infuse it with coffee. This sounds more complicated than it actually is, trust me. The infused vodka sets the tone for the entire drink, layering smoke, bite, and texture long before the glass is poured.
Ingredients
- 16 oz vodka
- 1 Tbsp bacon fat
- 3–5 Tbsp ground coffee
Method
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Render bacon fat and allow it to cool slightly. If using jarred bacon fat, warm until liquid.
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Combine bacon fat and vodka in a heatproof jar.
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Let infuse at room temperature for 2–3 hours, swirling gently once or twice.
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Transfer directly to the freezer (up to overnight) until the fat solidifies.
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Remove the fat cap and strain through a fine mesh strainer.
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Strain a second time through a coffee filter to remove any remaining micro-fat particles.
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Gently warm the fat-washed vodka over very low heat.
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Remove from heat and add coffee grounds. Infuse for 15–20 minutes.
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Strain and store in the freezer.
Notes
At the end of the infusion process, give your infusion a quick taste test. Bear in mind (😉) this is straight vodka, so it will have a bit of a fiery bite, further enhanced by the bitterness of the black coffee. And the coffee notes & depth of your infusion will vary depending on the type of coffee you used and how long you let it steep. I added in 2 oz of freshly brewed espresso to further enrich my flavor profile. This is totally optional.
The Build
Once the infused vodka is ready, the cocktail itself comes together quickly whether you’re making a single drink or batching it ahead of time for the freezer.
The Bear & The Loon
Ingredients
Single Cocktail Build
- 4 oz bacon fat washed, coffee infused vodka
- ¼ oz maple syrup
- 1 oz maple cold foam (See notes for below for recipe)
Batch Cocktail Build
- 16 oz Bacon fat washed, coffee infused vodka
- 1-2 oz Maple syrup (to taste) (This is to provide depth, not overt sweetness)
Instructions
Single Cocktail
- Combine vodka and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until combined and chilled- 15-20 seconds.
- Pour into rocks glass over ice
- Float 1" of cold foam over top
- Garnish as desired (spicy maple glazed bacon, bacon crumbles, etc)
Batch Cocktail
- Combine maple syrup and infused vodka. Shake to combine
- Store in freezer until ready. Pour up, top with cold foam, enjoy!
Notes
- 3 oz heavy cream
- 1/2 oz maple syrup
- a splash of vanilla extract
