"Mia's Adrenaline Shot" Recipe (Inspired by "Pulp Fiction)

 

"Mia's Adrenaline Shot" (Inspired by "Pulp Fiction")

By: The Film Bartender

    "Pulp Fiction" is perhaps one of the most influential films of all time for modern filmmakers. Not only did writer & director Quentin Tarantino deliver an amazing film for his second outing, but it pushed the boundaries of what was allowed on screen for indie filmmakers. This includes graphic language, glorified drug use, gruesome violence, and strong sexual content. One of the most shocking scenes in the film is when Mia Wallace overdoses after mistaking heroin for cocaine, causing her to bleed out of her nose and foam at the mouth. Because of this, it is up to Vincent Vega, her date for the night, to speed to his dealer's house to use an adrenaline shot to save her life. Hence the name and inspiration for our drink, "Mia's Adrenaline Shot". Keep reading to find out more about this film and the ingredients and direction for the drink below!

    "Pulp Fiction" was released in 1994, and was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film starred John Travolta (in a career-revitalizing role), Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Ving Rhames, Maria de Medeiros, Eric Stoltz, and Amanda Plummer. The movie is practically split into three different parts - Jules and Vincent retrieving a briefcase for their boss, Marsellus Wallace, and all of the trouble they get into; Vincent takes Marsellus' wife Mia out on a date to keep her company while her husband is out of town on business, and a boxer who is on the run from Mr. Wallace after killing his opponent in the ring when he was supposed to be throwing the fight. All three of these parts are shown at different times in the film, and out of order, forcing the viewer to try and piece together where all of the parts fit into the whole. 

    When the film was released, it instantly took the world by storm. People were shocked, delighted, appalled, and confused by the graphic depictions of sex, rape, violence, strong language, and glorified use of drugs. It won the major awards at numerous film festivals, especially the Palme D'or at the Cannes Film Festival. The massive praise and excitement around this movie caused the Weinsteins to pick it up for their Miramax film studio, releasing it in American cinemas and all around the world.

    It did incredible in the box office, becoming the first indie film to ever gross over $100 million in the U.S. box office alone. Many people were coming to see how crazy and over-the-top this film is, and it paid off for the studio, every actor involved, and Mr. Tarantino himself. Even better, almost all of the critics loved it, and many new critics still cite it as one of the best films ever made, not leaving the top 10 on IMDB since the film has released. Not only did this truly kickstart the career of one of the best filmmakers to ever live, but inspires a whole new generation of filmmakers that want to do what Tarantino was doing with the film business at that time. 

    The first drink for this film series is called Mia's Adrenaline Shot, which is inspired by the second segment of this film and is easily one of the most infamous movie scenes of all time. Vincent is a very casual drug user, and likes to dabble in the likes of heroin, which he shoots up before his date with Mia. After the date however, when Mia is left alone with Vincent's jacket, she finds a tiny baggy of white powder, confusing the heroin with cocaine. When she consumes the drug, she instantly OD's, forcing her to bleed out of her nose and foam at the mouth.

    When Vincent comes out of the bathroom and sees this, he loads her in his cherry red convertible and drives 90 to his dealer, Lance's, house. He keeps a little adrenaline shot in case something like this happens to him or his girlfriend, and Vincent forces them to use it on Mia in of retaliation from Marsellus. They thankfully save her life, which Mia and Vincent agree to keep between themselves. 

    This blood red beverage perfectly represents the heart that will be pumped full of adrenaline, with a syringe on top to perfectly compliment the drink and the meaning behind it as a whole. Keep reading for the full recipe and instructions for this bloody good drink!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 oz Gin

- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup

- 1/4 oz Grenadine

- 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice

- Sprite (to top)

- Champagne (to top)

- Ice

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker full of ice, add the Gin, the Simple Syrup, the Grenadine, and the Cranberry Juice. Shake very well until fully combined. Strain into a stemless champagne flute.

2. Pour equal parts Sprite and Champagne into the glass to top the beverage. Add the syringe on top, sticking out of the drink. Serve. 

Film Fact: Mr. Blonde's real name in "Reservoir Dogs" is Vic Vega, and Quentin Tarantino has confirmed that he is the brother of John Travolta's Vincent Vega in his second film, "Pulp Fiction". Tarantino even had a spin-off film in development, titled "Double V Vega", which would have been a prequel to both films. This film was ultimately scrapped as both actors got too old to play younger versions of their already younger characters. 

    You have now made your very own cocktail inspired off the cult classic film, "Pulp Fiction"! This drink will be an excellent pairing for either your first-time watch or one of your many rewatches of arguably Tarantino's best film. Check back tomorrow for the next cocktail in this series, which is inspired off the famous $5 shake from Jack Rabbit Slims, where Vincent takes Mia on their date! Until then, happy drinking!