Odds BodkinsCocktails & Curiosities
Contents

Doc Bodkins’ Field Notes & Travel Journal

From the desk of Cornelius “Doc” Bodkins

FIELD NOTES & TRAVEL JOURNAL

Odds Bodkins · Reedley, California

The Odds Bodkins crest, with top hat, ravens, and moustache

Doc Bodkins’
Field Notes& Travel Journal

Cocktails, curiosities & uncommon company

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A most curious volume

An invitation
to the curious.

Step inside Doc’s world. A collection of curious concoctions, improbable adventures, and notes from a life less ordinary.

Turn the pages, linger over a drawing, and see where the evening takes you.

Open the journal

An illustrated digital edition of our house journal.
The travel tales belong to the fictional world of Odds Bodkins.

02Prologue

An introduction

Greetings, ladies
& gentlemen!

My name is Cornelius Bodkins, better known as “Doc” Bodkins, purveyor of all things great, giant, and imponderable. I am also the founding member of The Promethean Society (more on that later).

You have come here today because you obviously suffer from ailments and afflictions of all kinds: thirst, fatigue, hunger, boredom, and worst of all—a mundane, boring life! Well, look no further than “Doc” Bodkins panaceas of cures and custom concoctions.

Here you will find a variety of miracle tonics to address every sort of malady. I have traveled the world curating an extensive collection of herbs, charms, botanicals, and curiosities that I am delighted to share with you! Prepare yourself for wonders beyond comprehension: elixirs that will entice, shock, and surprise.

Welcome to Odds Bodkins Cocktails and Curiosities!

Cornelius “Doc” Bodkins

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Before you proceed

A note from
the author.

Now that we have been properly introduced, I would like to share some of the discoveries that were made through my elixir and concoction development process. I have provided copious amounts of concept drawings, and formulations.

As you peruse my research notes and travel journal you will find excerpts that introduce you to some of the most intriguing people whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and befriending. Many you have likely heard of; many of whom became members of The Promethean Society.

Purveyor of all things
great, giant & imponderable.

04Prologue

Plate 01 · Custom concoctions

An engraved beaker of blue and amber cocktail with crushed ice and an infusion tube on a wooden tray.
Retort & AlembicA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

Retort & Alembic

$16

A deconstructed cocktail whereby guests complete the elixir homogenization process.

The formulation

  • Rum
  • Mango
  • Mint
  • Lime
  • Passionfruit spheres
  • Violet
  • Soda

Observations

Rum, mango, mint, and lime are assembled with passionfruit spheres, violet and soda for a playful, aromatic drink that feels half cocktail, half demonstration.

06Concoctions

Plate 02 · Custom concoctions

A fine ink and watercolor study of a pale clarified cocktail over a large ice cube, with pear and spice botanicals.
Chai-cure-iousA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

Chai-cure-ious

$16

Warm spice, cool clarity, and a cure for the predictable.

The formulation

  • Milk punch
  • Chai-infused rum
  • Spiced pear
  • Golden Falernum
  • Lime
  • Mazapan orgeat

Observations

A clarified milk punch with chai-infused rum, spiced pear, Golden Falernum, lime, and Mazapan orgeat for a silky, pear-bright, softly nutty finish.

Journal’s allergen note: Milk and peanut.

08Concoctions

Plate 03 · Custom concoctions

An amber Old Fashioned in an etched glass with a silver spoon of granola and botanical studies of walnut and orange.
Odds FashionedA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

Odds Fashioned

$18

The familiar, subjected to a more interesting experiment.

The formulation

  • Browned butter bourbon
  • Walnut & raisin demerara
  • Orange bitters
  • Walnut raisin granola

Observations

Browned butter bourbon deepens the familiar Old Fashioned profile with walnut & raisin demerara, black walnut bitters, and orange bitters. The side of granola adds a delightful sweet treat that complements the elixir quite well.

Journal’s allergen note: Walnuts and raisins.

10Concoctions

Plate 04 · Custom concoctions

A luminous golden cocktail in a cut crystal tumbler inside an open black presentation chest with theatrical mist.
Radium LuminaryA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

Radium Luminary

$18

For dim spirits in need of illumination.

The formulation

  • Botanical gin
  • Yellow Chartreuse
  • Yellow bell pepper
  • Lime
  • Bergamot air

Observations

A radiant botanical experiment served in its own theatrical radiation chest, complete with geiger counter. Botanical gin and Yellow Chartreuse meet yellow bell pepper, lime, and citrus air for a luminous, herbaceous finish.

12Concoctions

Plate 05 · Custom concoctions

A tall crimson and cobalt cocktail over crushed ice, illustrated with vintage electrical apparatus.
The CurrentA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

The Current

$16

A little voltage for the tongue and the imagination.

The formulation

  • Vodka
  • Blackcurrant
  • Elderflower
  • Lime
  • Simple syrup
  • Electric dust

Observations

Vodka carries black currant and elderflower through a clean current of lime and simple syrup, finished with electric dust for a curious shimmer and tingle.

14Concoctions

Plate 06 · Custom concoctions

A scarlet cocktail with pale pink foam and tamarind garnish, surrounded by hibiscus and grapefruit ink drawings.
Effervescent ElixirA study in good taste
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Doc Bodkins’ custom concoctions

Effervescent Elixir

$17

A scarlet sparkle with a spicy, bright, mischievous finish.

The formulation

  • Hibiscus-infused tequila blanco
  • Acid-adjusted & clarified grapefruit
  • Solstice Aperitif
  • Agave
  • Tamarind & Fresno chili foam
  • Tamarind confection

Observations

Hibiscus infused tequila blanco joins clarified grapefruit, Solstice Aperitif, and agave, then finishes with a tamarind and Fresno chili effervescence for tart, heat, and a theatrical lift. Topped with a nostalgic tamarind confection.

16Concoctions

Plate 07 · Without spirits

A creamy coconut highball with toasted coconut and a black moustache garnish, with lime and coconut studies.
IncognitoA study in good taste
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An experiment without spirits

Incognito

$10

All the pleasure. No proof.

The formulation

  • Coconut cream
  • Lime
  • N/A Pathfinder
  • Sparkling water
  • Toasted coconut

Observations

A convincing non-alcoholic disguise made with coconut cream, lime, non-alcoholic Pathfinder, and sparkling water, crowned with toasted coconut.

18Without spirits

Plate 08 · Without spirits

A pink cocktail in a stemmed coupe with white foam and lime zest, surrounded by fruit and ginger drawings.
ImposterA study in good taste
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An experiment without spirits

Imposter

$11

Deceivingly delicious.

The formulation

  • Strawberry
  • Pineapple
  • Ginger
  • Lime zest
  • Egg white

Observations

An innocent appearance with a more intriguing nature within. It is juicy and bright, with a warm peppery spice and a silky smooth finish.

Journal’s allergen note: Eggs.

20Without spirits

Travel journal · A most generous gift

A.L. Gerrig
& Trade Winds.

The Gerrig Family and their Trade Winds Imports Co. have proven to be most beneficial colleagues and friends. They have successfully procured the necessary herbs and botanicals for my most exotic elixirs and extracts. Not only have my ingredients arrived in a timely manner, but they recently included the most intriguing gift from their travels across Egypt.

It was a most generous gift to commemorate the first time we met, which was at the pyramids in Egypt, back in 1901. The gift was discovered in an unidentified tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It was a sarcophagus of an unknown Pharaoh. A truly generous and unique gift, indeed!

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An unexpected consequence

A.L. Gerrig and Doc Bodkins unpacking a pharaoh figure from a wooden crate.

Although, ever since its arrival, the strangest things have been occurring inside my home. I’m not sure if it’s causation or correlation but since placing the unknown Pharaoh’s sarcophagus on the mantel in my personal library, I have begun to experience the occasional thunderstorm which subsequently causes it to rain INSIDE my home!

I have found it necessary to install umbrellas overhead to protect my newly installed electrical lighting.

Oh, what an exciting life I lead!

26Travels & tales

Established 1878 · In Doc’s world

The Promethean
Society.

Founded in 1878 by yours truly, Cornelius “Doc” Bodkins, the Promethean Society was established with the express intent of connecting likeminded individuals who seek to improve the lives of everyday man.

As a world traveler and fellow inventor of things both necessary and convenient, I have shared common cause with many talented and gifted individuals whose contributions to society have put man on an upward trajectory toward the stars!

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An honorary invitation

In curious
company.

All Promethean Society members agree to a strict code of anonymity, though you may be able to guess who they are by their success stories that I have documented in my travel journal. I will never divulge their names, but I encourage you to read through my journal excerpts and chat amongst yourselves over a refreshing libation, or two, (made from “Doc” Bodkins proprietary elixirs, of course) and enjoy your Honorary Membership into the Promethean Society for the night.

Cheers to that!

Cornelius “Doc” Bodkins

The Promethean Society — website coming soon ↗
28Travels & tales

Travel journal · New York, 1886

The electrical
genius.

You may have noticed my walking stick on the hall tree by my prized self-playing piano. I have required the use of a cane ever since I suffered a leg injury while fighting for the Union during the Civil War.

It was this very injury that inspired me to travel all over the world seeking out the finest and most effective ingredients to maintain and improve my physical and mental fitness. In many ways, my injury was fortuitous, as it led me to my true calling—a traveling medicine man, healer, curator and purveyor of the finest elixirs! But I digress…back to the subject at hand, the Electrical Genius.

As a wounded veteran, I was invited by President Cleveland in 1886 to attend the unveiling of the new Statue of Liberty in New York.

What a beautiful gesture of unity and liberty for the USA.

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A friendship founded on discovery

Doc Bodkins with an electrical inventor and a glowing bulb in a laboratory.

While visiting New York I met an eccentric man who I quickly learned was a true genius! I introduced myself and he replied “pleasure to meet you” with a heavy Serbian accent. Immediately we began a friendship when we discovered that we each shared a passion for science and discovery.

He was in the process of perfecting a special coil and had just completed the development of an A/C motor prototype. By 1901 his project was completed in Long Island, NY. This improved the ability for messages to be transmitted telephonically and by facsimile across the Atlantic Ocean.

Truly a remarkable man and a proud member of The Promethean Society.

30Travels & tales

Travel journal · The possibility of flight

The inventors
of flight.

While traveling through Ohio in the late 1800’s, peddling my proprietary elixirs and concoctions, I happened to meet two brothers who were singularly focused on man’s ability to fly. They were incredibly passionate about their aviation research and were singularly focused on completing the world’s first flying machine prototype. I immediately recognized their high levels of enthusiasm that can only come from the divine, and I knew they would, without a doubt, be successful in their quest of achieving their goal of flight.

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Kitty Hawk · 1903

Doc Bodkins watches an early aircraft make its first flight.

Naturally, I invited them to join the Promethean Society so they could connect with other like-minded individuals who share their love for discovery and invention. I also extended my sincerest offer to assist them in any way I could.

The brothers continued to work until I received an invitation sometime in 1903, though I can’t recall the exact date, to join them for the debut of their flying machine. I joined them in Kitty Hawk, NC, just in time to witness their invention make its first successful flight of over 120 feet!

What an honor to be able to witness history in the making!

32Travels & tales

Travel journal · America, 1908

The industrial
titan.

Around 1908, I had the pleasure of meeting this friend and future Promethean Society member. He was already a successful inventor and had been building vehicles in America. He was in the process of creating a manufacturing line that would produce an entire vehicle within minutes, rather than hours. This breakthrough greatly reduced the cost of production of cars and made them much more affordable for the average citizen.

What an amazing time to be alive in America!

Cornelius “Doc” Bodkins

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Ideas that move the world

Doc Bodkins in conversation with an industrialist in an early automobile factory.

An inquisitive mind.
An extraordinary age.

34Travels & tales

Take your time. There’s plenty to discover.

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