Hair grows on my chest.
A new drink has been crafted to honor the 550-pound bear that notoriously inhabited a California home for 37 days. The homeowner described it as “as close as you can get to smelling a bear.”
Ken Johnson, 63, was at The Proper Restaurant and Bar in La Cañada Flintridge, not far from his Altadena residence where the bear had settled for weeks.
“This cocktail truly captures the aroma and flavor that the bear brought with it,” Johnson shared while enjoying a drink on Wednesday.
The drink, named Yellow 2120, was devised by the head bartender, Bianca Heer. She frequently listened to the woes of photographers who came in during that chaotic 37-day period.
“We wanted to create something memorable for Ken because we saw the whole story unfold right in front of us,” Heer explained.
To create this bear-inspired drink, she collaborated with Johnson to identify key ingredients that encapsulate the “essence of the beast.”
First on the list is Old Forester Bourbon, reflecting the bear’s natural habitat. The bear was ultimately chased away from Johnson’s property using a paintball filled with vegetable oil.
“The bear belongs in the forest,” noted the mixologist.
Next is Cointreau. Johnson indicated that the bear had a citrus flavor, which led Heer to experiment with different orange liqueurs before settling on Cointreau.
The obvious ingredient is honey, the bear’s favorite treat.
The drink is finished with lemon juice and black walnut bitters, imparting a “musky, woody flavor.”
This cocktail will feature on the permanent menu for anyone wanting a taste of life with a bear.
“It’s him. Now everyone knows it. It’s really good,” Johnson commented on the drink.
Reflecting on his encounter with the bear, Johnson said, “It was frustrating at times, but getting to see these magnificent creatures up close made it worthwhile.”
“It was a tough experience, but I’m glad I went through it.”
