Who doesn’t love the movies? While the tradition of heading out on a date, enjoying drinks and then heading to the theater for a new release may have waned in recent years (thanks to on-demand-insta-always-everything-availability), there’s something wonderful about escaping into another world via a well-made film. Each year, the Philadelphia Film Festival commemorates that wonder, and is gearing up for a jam-packed 20th anniversary roster of shows and events from October 20–November 3.

Drink Philly is proud to celebrate the movies and the Philadelphia Film Society with the first-ever official cocktail of the Festival, “The Dangerous Method.” Spirits from local craft distillery Philadelphia Distilling are used to create a delicious drink that will be available in finer bars throughout the city for the duration of the event. 

The beverage is named for a new David Cronenberg film that will be shown in the Festival on Saturday, October 22. A Dangerous Method is a delicate and unusual love story starring Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen and Keira Knightley in a plot about Freud, Jung and their studies in therapy. The Dangerous Method cocktail is also delicate and unusual, extremely drinkable but not overly sweet, with a smooth finish.

Check out the recipe for the drink and a list of bars where you can find the special cocktail (we’ll be updating this list frequently, so be sure to check back!). The Dangerous Method will be available at:

Amada
Baby Blues BBQ
Capogiro (University City)
Farmers’ Cabinet
McCrossen's Tavern
National Mechanics
Opa
Perch Pub
Positano Coast
Q BBQ & Tequila
Revolution House
Varalli

The Dangerous Method

1½ oz Bluecoat Gin or Penn 1681 Vodka
½ oz Aperol
¼ oz Simple Syrup
½ oz Lemon Juice
Spoonful of Apricot Preserves

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with lemon.

Photo by Mark Henninger; thanks to Opa for the setting