Mocktail and Movie Pairing: You Just Might Kiss The Sky
“Sometimes to survive, we must become more than we were programmed to be.”
A lot of firsts with this beverage and movie pairing today - not only is this the first animated movie featured here, we have a fun non-alcoholic mocktail to pair with it! Let’s take flight with The Wild Robot, accompanied by a delicious floral non-alcoholic spirit.
The Wild Robot (2024) is based on the YA novel of the same name by Peter Brown. Set in the not-too-distant future, ROZZUM Unit 7134 - also known as Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) - finds herself shipwrecked on a deserted island flourishing with wildlife, but not people. Roz quickly learns to adapt to her new surroundings, causing some destruction and ruffling feathers with the other creatures on the island. When an unhatched egg becomes a baby gosling, it imprints on Roz as its mother. Because “a Rozzum always completes her task”, Roz names the gosling Brightbill (Kit Connor) and enlists the help of a sly fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal) and other island animals to raise Brightbill and prepare him for the goose’s annual migration.
DreamWorks is known for some pioneering feats of animation (DreamWorks tentpole film, Shrek, was the first movie to receive the Best Animated Feature Academy Award), but the animation style created for The Wild Robot became the headlining story about how the movie was made. Director Chris Sanders was so taken by the concept art and storyboards that he wanted to incorporate it into a whole new style of animation specifically for this movie. The Impressionist-like blurred lines and romantic views of the island’s forests and wildlife offer a welcome respite for the viewer and Roz’s character. The only thing that’s not hand painted is Roz - as Roz starts to acclimate to life on the island, her rigid CG exterior melts into her surroundings, and she starts to pick up more custom “detailing” like scratches and softened edges as the movie progresses.
Voice acting can be a tricky thing, but this fine cast of actors brings a lot of vocal warmth to the critters they portray. As Roz, Lupita Nyong’o is both appropriately robotic and adroit, but full of discovery as the character develops into a mama robot. Pedro Pascal hangs right alongside her as the wily Fink, bringing some more vulnerability as Fink goes from predator to pseudo-parent. Veteran voice actor Catherine O’Hara plays a pivotal role as Pinktail, an opossum that gives Roz the rundown on how to care for Brightbill, and Bill Nighy and Mark Hamill also play key voice acting roles in this starry ensemble.
My favorite part of the film is its soundscape. Kris Bowers is (finally!) Oscar nominated for the gorgeous score - the lush strings and glittering percussion elements bring the island to life while highlighting the charming disconnect of a lost robot in a forest. The sound team, also nominated for an Academy Award, effectively amps up the robotic nature of the robots in the movie, finding moments in Roz’s humanity to let the actor just exist. And though it didn’t see a nomination last week, “Kiss The Sky” - Maren Morris’ triumphant song written for the movie - is a popular selection from the shortlist that fits seamlessly into the sonic landscape of the movie.
The Wild Robot is nominated for 3 Academy Awards this year (Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Sound). For more information, you can see my Academy Awards Watch List here.
Because this is a movie to be appreciated by people of all ages (and this is the last wine and movie pairing of January), I wanted to cap off the month with a non-alcoholic drink that would have a wide appeal. Abstinence Non-Alcoholic Spirits has a botanical-forward approach to N/A drinks that I love, and felt right at home with The Wild Robot. Enter Cape Floral!
Abstinence Non-Alcoholic Spirits started as a project between a sommelier and a gin maker as they were finding more mindful moderation practices. The brand has firm roots in Cape Town, South Africa, drawing inspiration from the local botanicals in every product as a South African-inspired twist on some favorite alcoholic options like bitter blood orange aperitifs and even malt brown liquors. Production is entirely based within Cape Town as well, ensuring that every label is made with love from South Africa.
Cape Floral is just what you’d expect, and still a surprising and lovely take on a floral gin (without the alcohol). Upon first trying the spirit, I was struck by how much rose, ginger, and warm spice I was smelling on the nose, almost like a robust Gewurztraminer. There’s an element of juniper berries that makes it a recognizable gin substitute, but it’s a playful bouquet of flowers that has a myriad of potential applications. It feels most at home in a non-alcoholic Floral Gin and Tonic, but also plays nicely with the brand’s Blood Orange Aperitif as an N/A/ Negroni.
Here’s my recipe for a mocktail that embodies The Wild Robot:
Kiss The Sky
Serves 1
1.5 oz. Abstinence Cape Floral
1 barspoon lingonberry syrup
150mL Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic Water
Fill a highball glass with ice. Combine lingonberry syrup with Cape Floral and pour into the glass. Top with elderflower tonic water. Garnish with rosemary sprig or lemon wheel.
Food pairings necessitate a veggie-forward plate. A big salad with lots of texture would be appropriate, but so would a butter board with crudité vegetables, or even a hearty vegetable soup with crusty bread. If it’s comfort driven and packed with the bounty of the earth, you’re in good hands.
Abstinence’s Cape Floral non-alcoholic spirit is available at your local independent wine store or directly to you through the company’s website. You can also check WineSearcher for details on stockists near you. Thank you for supporting small businesses!
The Wild Robot (2024) is now streaming on Peacock. You can also purchase the movie through video on demand channels or on Blu-Ray and 4K at your local video outlet.