Green Day x Sidecar
1994 was a stellar year for music. It reshaped pop with a tour de force of forward thinking records from up-and-comers across all genres, but perhaps the biggest explosion was Green Day’s major label debut, “Dookie”.
Dookie, much like its iconic album art, was a bomb that scattered Green Day’s many diverse influences, from punk to rockabilly to baroque pop, clearing the way for a synthesis of wall-of-sound guitars, melody-driven hooks, and frenetic drum fills that would define pop-punk for the ages. Now, grab it in liquid form.
Why Dookie Works as a Cocktail Menu
Big Feelings and Big Hooks — Dookie, at its core, is an emotional tornado propelled by suburban angst, sexual frustration, and boredom. The victory of the record is Green Day’s ability to communicate these complex feelings through accesable, singable, and frankly FUN tracks. At Sidecar, we like to keep things a little weird and pride ourselves when we can sneak a little weird into a fun and approachable cocktail. This is the perfect soundtrack for exactly that.
Bright and Colorfully Neurotic — Despite the angsty thematic journey of Dookie, the album is fun. Every track has a memorable hook- a special ingredient that makes each song unique and interesting. Seriousness shrouded in glam and color. We leaned into colorful, bombastic cocktails for this one- without losing that Sidecar touch.
Redefined Punk Ethos — Green Day changed the landscape of pop-punk, and brought it into the limelight. It was exactly the album needed for that moment in rock music, and its success allowed a generation of young bands to find their voices. We believe this menu has redefined the Sidecar menu ethos as well- pushing boundaries and crafting balanced and exciting cocktails.
Join us & our friends from Pearl’s for a punk-themed book club on June 9th, featuring “Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)” by Dan Ozzi.
“A raucous history of punk, emo, and hardcore’s growing pains during the commercial boom of the early 90s and mid-aughts, following eleven bands as they “sell out” and find mainstream fame, or break beneath the weight of it all
Punk rock found itself at a crossroads in the mid-90’s. After indie favorite Nirvana catapulted into the mainstream with its unexpected phenomenon, Nevermind, rebellion was suddenly en vogue. Looking to replicate the band’s success, major record labels set their sights on the underground, and began courting punk’s rising stars. But the DIY punk scene, which had long prided itself on its trademark authenticity and anti-establishment ethos, wasn’t quite ready to let their homegrown acts go without a fight. The result was a schism: those who accepted the cash flow of the majors, and those who defiantly clung to their indie cred.”
Book club participants get 10% off their book when they shop at Pearl’s!
The Tracklist (Cocktails)
HAVING A BLAST (Clarified)
Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka · Giffard Fraise Des Bois · Strawberry Vanilla Agave Nectar · Pierre Ferrand Yuzu Curacao · Lemon Juice · Greek Yogurt
Vibes: Strawberry Kiwi Burst · Silky Citrus Finish · Reckless Joyride
bright and nostalgic
“I set out to create something fun- crushable for the spring season and made to be enjoyed on the patio. Clarified cocktails have always been a favorite of mine, so I wanted to build one from the ground up, starting with kiwi. I initially paired it with green apple, but couldn’t quite get the brightness I wanted, so I pivoted to something more nostalgic: strawberry and kiwi—a combination that never misses.
From there, it was about bringing it all together. Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka brought in a soft floral note that ties everything together without overpowering the fruit. For the clarification process, I experimented with both coconut milk and yogurt. The yogurt won easily. It adds a tartness that makes the whole drink pop in a way most clarified cocktails don’t.”
- Faith Lewis
LONGVIEW
Arette Blanco Tequila · Del Maguey Vida Mezcal · Ancho Verde Chili Liqueur · Peychaud’s · Celery Bitters · Atomized Svol Swedish-Style Akavit
Vibes: Smoky Agave Bite · Green Chili Heat · Restless Pineapple Haze
intrigue & desire
“I love a savory martini-style cocktail- maybe to my detriment when we put menus together. “Longview” is one of my favorite tracks on Dookie, and Mike Dirnt’s bass line is equally recognizable and enthralling. It, paired with the subject of the song conjure heat- thirst, desire, and an oppressive laziness. I wanted to capture a flavor that would quench that thirst, but introduce intrigue and desire. Thus, Longview was born, pairing the rich poblano notes of Ancho Verde with a touch of mezcal, a witches brew of bitters, and Arette Blanco tequila. The whole thing brings together a southern flavor reminiscent of a carnitas marinade, but with the power to refresh instead of drain.”
- Jonah Thornton
WELCOME TO PARADISE
Clement Mahina Coco Liqueur · Skinos Mastiha · Lime Acid Solution
Vibes: Coconut Lime Tang · Floral Resin Sweetness · Sunburnt Independence
a little chaotic
a little beautiful
“Welcome to Paradise is one of Dookie’s defining moments. The song is about stepping out on your own, embracing uncertainty, and realizing that chaos can become home- this cocktail is my interpretation of that shift.
Built with coconut liqueur, mastiha, and lime acid solution, it starts bright and sharp, then opens into a layered, resinous sweetness before finishing clean and confident. It’s tropical, but not in the expected way. There’s tension, structure, and a little bit of edge. At Sidecar Cocktail Lounge, we use music as the blueprint for everything we create. This drink reflects that philosophy, translating the emotion of Welcome to Paradise into something you can experience in a glass.
A little chaotic. A little beautiful. Exactly where you’re supposed to be.”
- Trey Fincher
PULLING TEETH
Uruapan Charanda Añejo Rum · Campari · Mango Liqueur· Pineapple Juice · Lime Juice · Velvet Falernum · Atomized Absinthe
Vibes: Mango Citrus Pop · Spiced Tropical Bite · Dramatic Breakup Energy
funky punch
“This take on a rum swizzle packs a punch, so it might be wise to wear a mouth guard. Charanda, a rum-adjacent spirit from Mexico, is made from sugarcane juice instead of molasses and has a funky backbone. Campari throws the first punch, followed by the tang of mango and absinthe. This instant tiki-inspired classic is built to throw down like you're on the beaches of Bermuda.”
- Logan Craine
BASKET CASE
Plymouth Gin · Ginger Liqueur · Pineapple Juice · Lime Juice · Grog Concentrate Syrup · Tiki Bitters
Vibes: Pineapple-Lime Punch · Spicy Ginger Snap · Nervous Energy Spiral
familiar but adventurous
“Josie’s original goal with Basket Case was to play with a gin sour, combining tropical fruit flavors and approachability to give guests a gin drink outside of the martini or tonic realm. She wanted to provide an easy entry point for new gin drinkers in the Sidecar style. As she played with it though, the cocktail began to take more of a tiki shape, and ended up as a Royal Hawaiian riff- still true to the original mission, but now on a grander scale- echoing the infamous formation of one of Green Day’s throw-away tracks turned biggest hits, Basket Case.”
- Jonah Thornton (on behalf of Josie Wicker)
EMENIUS SLEEPUS
Old Grandad Bonded Bourbon · Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur · Fernet Branca · Branca Menta · Cardamom & Tiki Bitters
Vibes: Bitter Coffee Blast · Icy Mint Finish · Wired Midnight Tension
sweet & bitter,
cool & warm
“When I began working on this drink, I had two words in my head: coffee julep. The thing about a julep is that besides the refreshing hit of mint, there’s not much separating the cocktail from an old fashioned. Just ice, and lots of it. It’s what made the drink a status symbol in a time when refrigeration wasn’t readily available, and it’s what made it a staple drink on Derby day in the Kentucky sun. When riffing on a Julep, I’m looking to pair flavors not just with bourbon and coffee, but with the sensation of cold. Enter Emenius Sleepus. A drink at war with itself: booze and caffeine, bitter and sweet, cool mint and warm ginger and cardamom. The result is a first sip that sends an icy blast straight to the skull. Pure magic.”
- Miranda Valerie
COMING CLEAN (N/A)
Matcha Concentrate · Lemon Juice · Lavender Vanilla Syrup · Coconut Cream
Vibes: Creamy Coconut Matcha · Bright Lemon Lavender Lift · Soft Self-Acceptence
a delight to the senses
“This N/A drink was inspired by those that don't drink alcohol, but seek delicious beverages for the love of the game. The coconut matcha combo is delicious enough, but throw in some lavender and vanilla, and you have yourself a drink that doesn't need alcohol to delight the senses.”
- Logan Craine
Liner Notes
“Dookie is unapologetic and raw. It holds Green Day’s humor equally with their critiques. From the band that played with so much passion their instruments would de-tune mid-recording, to the menu crafted with nerve and intention, inspiration in the wake of Green Day’s first masterpiece is undeniable.
Catch us having a blast in our own little paradise at Sidecar. Basket Cases welcome.” - Jonah Thornton
~ See You at the Bar ~
