Raccoon-Inspired Cocktails Debut After Store Mishap

A liquor store in Virginia is creating waves with three new cocktails inspired by an unexpected incident involving a raccoon that went on a wild spree inside the store, ultimately passing out in the bathroom.

On November 29, a raccoon, described as “highly intoxicated,” broke several bottles of liquor and made himself quite at home in a bathroom at the Virginia ABC Company in Ashland, Hanover County.

This raccoon, affectionately nicknamed “Abandoned Panda” by the local animal shelter, has gained quite the following, even making an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in a recent skit.

Recognizing the odd popularity of their furry intruder, Virginia ABC decided to launch three cocktail creations capturing the spirit of the raccoon’s, well, adventurous spirit. The drinks feature the names “Lyra Skull Sour,” “Trash Panda Old Fashioned,” and “Midnight Gin Fizz,” all of which became available recently.

Each cocktail includes two ounces of standard spirits, but with unique twists inspired by the raccoon’s escapades—like maple syrup in the Rye Rascal Sour and brown sugar syrup in the Trash Panda Old Fashioned. They even shared edited photos of raccoons holding these fun drinks, adding to the lighthearted theme.

Virginia ABC also released surveillance footage showing the raccoon innocently exploring the aisles, only to end up wreaking havoc. The footage captures the little rascal stumbling around, leaving a mess of broken bottles in its wake before finally retreating to the bathroom.

Eventually, the raccoon was safely removed from the store and released back into the wild. Shelter officials assured the public that, aside from perhaps a hangover, the raccoon appeared unharmed. They humorously added on Facebook, “We hope he has learned that breaking and entering is not the answer.”

This comical story is part of a broader marketing push featuring the raccoon. On Repeal Day, December 5, Spirit Virginia shared an amusing image of a raccoon at a bar, promoting the idea that these clever creatures always know where to find a good drink.

Hanover County officials are even getting in on the fun with a T-shirt campaign centered on the “Ashland Drunk Raccoon.” The shirt design reads “Trashed Panda,” featuring a sketch of a dazed raccoon alongside a spilled bottle.

In a recent episode of “SNL,” comedian Sarah Sherman played a quirky character likened to the inebriated raccoon, humorously fumbling with a bottle and cracking jokes about the creature’s notoriety.

Interestingly, this raccoon isn’t the only animal causing a stir in Virginia. A small kitten recently found itself embroiled in a chaotic incident at a cat café in Richmond, leading to major repairs and a temporary closure of the establishment. But don’t worry, the spirited kitten remains available for adoption!