The Universe is a disco-era cocktail invented by Bobby Batugo in 1978. He entered it in the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild competition that year and won. At the time, the Japanese melon liqueur Midori was new to the U.S. Batugo’s original was a shaken drink with Midori, vodka, pistachio liqueur, and pineapple and lime juices. At Sunken Harbor Club, Shannan Lynch accidentally created a drink that bears a striking resemblance to the Universe, but hers uses the bar’s cutting-edge techniques to create a house melon liqueur (adapted from YouTuber Kevin Kos) and acid-adjusted pineapple and orange juices to give the cocktail a brightness that didn’t exist in the original. She also chose to ditch the vodka in favor of white rum and aged aquavit. Store-bought Midori can be used in place of the DIY melon liqueur; the resulting drink will be much sweeter.
Multiverse
Shannan Lynch | Brooklyn, New York
Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 1 ounce Kevin Kos’ melon liqueur
- 3/4 ounce white rum, preferably Hamilton White ’Stache
- 3/4 ounce aged aquavit, preferably Linie
- 3/8 ounce acid-adjusted orange juice (see Editor’s Note)
- 3/8 ounce acid-adjusted pineapple juice (see Editor’s Note)
- 1/4 ounce pistachio orgeat, preferably Orgeat Works
- 5 drops saline solution (4:1, water to salt)
Garnish: disco ball keychain (optional)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
- Add ice (preferably one large shaking cube and two Kold-Draft cubes), seal, and shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
- Garnish with a disco ball keychain.
Editor's Note
Acid-Adjusted Pineapple Juice
100 milliliters pineapple juice, strained
3.2 grams citric acid
2 grams malic acid
In a container, stir all ingredients to combine.
Acid-Adjusted Orange Juice
100 milliliters orange juice, strained
3.2 grams citric acid
2 grams malic acid
In a container, stir all ingredients to combine.