Elevate your Wisconsin Union Theater experience with a featured cocktail or mocktail inspired by the artist on stage!
The Wisconsin Union’s talented culinary team, with direction from the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee (PAC), crafts a bespoke cocktail and mocktail for every show, blending local flavors with the spirit of the performer to ensure your night at the theater is as refreshing as the encore. The beverages are often available for purchase across from Shannon Hall, at the Shannon Sunset Lounge when WUT presents season performances in Shannon Hall.
WUD PAC carefully and intentionally nameseach drink in accordance with something associated with the evening's artist. It could be the performer’s choice of flavors, the name of a new single, a phrase from a song, or something obscure that possibly only fans will recognize.
About three years ago, before the passing of world-renowned Tabla player, Zakir Hussain, he performed a program called Tisra in Shannon Hall. Tisra means “three” in Carnatic and Hindustani music and dance, which refers to a rhythmic pattern in which each mātra, or beat, is divided into three equal parts. The featured drink that night was called “Tisra,”and consisted of three key ingredients.
However, this isn't just about clever naming; WUD PAC also collaborated with WUD Cuisine to ensure that specific spice and flavor profiles common in Indian cuisine appeared in the drink to reflect Hussain’s heritage.
Once WUD PAC sets the creative vision and name, the baton is passed to the mixologists of the Wisconsin Union. They transform the concept into a recipe, balancing flavorsto create a drink that is truly unique.
Every featured drink is mocktail-forward with the option to add alcohol.
Some other past examples of featured drinks are:
- Samara Joy - May 4, 2023 - The Social Call
- Named for track seven off her first Grammy Award-winning album, which she won that year.
- Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane: Still/Here - March 18 - The Clarion
- Meaning a call to action or alarm sound in conjunction with a dance program about survivors and those directly affected by the AIDS epidemic.
- Pat Metheny - April 9 - The Offramp
- Named for Pat's third studio album, released in 1981
Check out this featured signature drink recipe from WUT’s last launch of its Black Box Sessions series, which you can make at home and enjoy!
The Mic Check
- 1.5 Oz. lemon juice
- ½ Oz. of sweet ginger syrup
- 3 Oz. of pineapple juice
- 1.5 Oz. Tito's Vodka (optional: Leave out, or substitute with an alcohol-free vodka for a mocktail.)
Pour all ingredients over ice, and stir! Cheers!
See a featured drink made in action below!
🎥 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYbsWFKJZH/