Most everyone has seen at least ONE episode of the show The Office. Some people can’t seem to get through the first couple of episodes. To those people I would say, try and get through them. It gets better I swear! I started thinking about the main characters on the show Michael, Jim, Pam, and Dwight. If I was going to embody them as a cocktail what would that be? I know there are other major characters on the show. I am not at all saying that Phyllis or Oscar are less important than the other four. But in terms of main cast this post will be talking about them. I’ll end up getting through them all at some point, but this is where we’ll start.

I had a hard time deciding if I should use drinks that they would have had on the show. Michael Scott in one episode is seen drinking scotch and Splenda.

But is that REALLY what cocktail I would choose to be the embodiment of Michael Scott as a person.

Michael Scott

The answer is, YES! Michael is known for his blend of incompetence, insecurity, and occasional moments of insight. He often displays a lack of social awareness and inappropriate behavior. Thus making Scotch and Splenda the perfect drink for him. The initial time we see him drinking Scotch he’s with his boss and trying to make a good impression. It’s cringey to watch. But there comes his occasional moment of insight when he asks for Splenda.

I’m not saying you should ever mix scotch and Splenda. In fact, I wholeheartedly don’t think anyone SHOULD. That being said, I listened to an episode of The Office Ladies Podcast with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey where they tried it. Surprisingly, they said the mixture was delicious. I’m assuming the Splenda cuts the strength of the whisky, but I don’t think I’ll try it.

“The Great Scott”

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Scotch
• One packet of Splenda

Instructions:

• In a rocks glass combine Scotch and Splenda and stir
• Fill as desired with ice

Why This Cocktail?

• Scotch: A spirit that has depth and complexity. Which we see from Michael on the occasional basis, when he scores that big sale to the county government or when Michael Scott Paper Company sells for way more than it’s worth.
• Splenda: this sweetener is trying to be something it’s not. Like Michael it wants to be something amazing, but often falls short.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenna Fischer (@msjennafischer)

The Office Ladies have admitted that they’re not avid drinkers so we shouldn’t necessarily take their taste into account. I do think for the drinker that straight scotch might be too much for, Scotch and Splenda might actually work!

Jim Halpert

Creating a cocktail that embodies Jim Halpert from “The Office” involves capturing his laid-back yet witty personality, his penchant for pranks, and his romantic side. Here’s a cocktail that I think encapsulates Jim:

“The Halpert Highball”

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Gin (smooth and sophisticated, reflecting Jim’s charm)
• 1 oz Elderflower Liqueur (adds a touch of sweetness, symbolizing his romantic side)
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (for a bit of tartness, representing his quick wit)
• Tonic Water (refreshing and light, much like his easy-going nature)
• Lemon twist or slice, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
3. Top off with tonic water and gently stir to combine.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or slice.

Why This Cocktail?

• Gin: A versatile spirit that can be both strong and subtle, much like Jim’s ability to be both laid-back and serious when needed.
• Elderflower Liqueur: Adds a floral sweetness that reflects Jim’s romantic side, particularly his relationship with Pam.
• Lemon Juice: Provides a bit of tartness, mirroring Jim’s witty and sometimes sarcastic humor.
• Tonic Water: Refreshing and light, akin to Jim’s easy-going demeanor and his role as the relatable everyman in the office.

This cocktail is simple yet sophisticated, with layers of flavor that reveal themselves slowly—much like Jim’s character over the course of the series.

Pam Beesly-Halpert

If you haven’t watched The Office yet, spoiler alert, Pam marries Jim. Thus the Pam Beesly-Halpert.

“Pam’s Perfect Paloma”

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila (smooth, representing Pam’s growing confidence)
• 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice (sweet and tangy, symbolizing her artistic and vibrant personality)
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice (adds a refreshing zest, akin to her cheerful disposition)
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup (sweet and approachable, like Pam herself)
• Sparkling Water (light and bubbly, reflecting her hopeful and optimistic nature)
• Grapefruit slice, for garnish
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional, for a touch of character)

Instructions:

1. Rim the edge of a highball or cocktail glass with salt, if desired, and fill it with ice.
2. In a shaker, combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over ice.
4. Top off with sparkling water and gently stir to combine.
5. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Why This Cocktail?

• Tequila: Represents Pam’s evolving confidence and strength throughout the series.
• Grapefruit Juice: Offers a balance of sweetness and tanginess, mirroring Pam’s creative and bright personality.
• Lime Juice: Adds a refreshing zest, akin to her cheerful and friendly nature.
• Simple Syrup: Brings sweetness and approachability, much like Pam’s warm and kind demeanor.
• Sparkling Water: Light and bubbly, reflecting her optimistic outlook and hopeful spirit.
• Salt Rim (Optional): Adds a touch of character and complexity, much like Pam’s journey from a shy receptionist to a confident individual.

This cocktail is refreshing, vibrant, and approachable, capturing the essence of Pam Beesly.

Dwight Schrute

Creating a cocktail to embody Dwight Schrute from “The Office” involves capturing his unique, quirky personality, his intense dedication to work, and his love for his roots in beet farming. Here’s a cocktail that reflects Dwight’s character:

“The Schrute Farms Beet Martini”

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Vodka (strong and straightforward, like Dwight’s personality)
• 1 oz Fresh Beet Juice (earthy and bold, representing his beet farming background)
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (adds a bit of sharpness, akin to Dwight’s no-nonsense attitude)
• 1/2 oz Honey Syrup (1:1 honey and water, for a touch of natural sweetness, reflecting his occasional warmth)
• Pickled beet slice or fresh beet slice, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, fresh beet juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a pickled beet slice or a fresh beet slice.

Why This Cocktail?

• Vodka: Represents Dwight’s strong, straightforward, and sometimes rigid personality.
• Beet Juice: Earthy and bold, it symbolizes Dwight’s deep connection to his family farm and his unique quirks.
• Lemon Juice: Provides a sharpness that matches Dwight’s intense and often abrupt nature.
• Honey Syrup: Adds a touch of natural sweetness, reflecting Dwight’s moments of warmth and loyalty, especially towards his friends and colleagues.
• Beet Garnish: A nod to Schrute Farms and his pride in his heritage.

This cocktail is unique, bold, and memorable, much like Dwight Schrute himself.

Toby Flenderson

I figured I’d throw another one on this list because if I don’t I’m a little nervous he’ll be forgotten to time. Michael Scott once said, “If I had a gun, with two bullets, and I was in a room with Hitler, Bin Laden, and Toby, I would shoot Toby twice.” This is probably one of the most famous lines that shows Michael’s outright hatred of Toby. I feel bad for the guy. He’s not that bad. He’s just not……anything. Blending into the background, often kicked out of the conference room, always softspoken, he’s bland. So bland that the cocktail realistically I would think that what most embodies Toby from HR is lukewarm water. You might hate him, but he has to be there. It’s not an interesting drink and literally ANYTHING would make it better. Alas, this isn’t really a cocktail so here’s an actual cocktail for Toby.

Creating a cocktail that embodies Toby Flenderson, the understated and often overlooked character from “The Office,” can be fun! Toby’s character is mild-mannered, unassuming, and sometimes melancholic. Let’s create a cocktail that reflects these traits with subtle flavors and a hint of complexity.

Toby Flenderson Cocktail: The Mild-Mannered Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (smooth and uncomplicated)
• 1 oz ginger beer (for a bit of bite, but not too strong)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice (a touch of tartness)
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (a bit of sweetness)
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters (for complexity and a hint of melancholy)
• Lime wheel and a sprig of mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
4. Strain into a copper mug or a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
6. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters on top.
7. Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.

This cocktail combines the smoothness of vodka with the mild spiciness of ginger beer and the bittersweet notes of Angostura bitters, representing Toby’s complex yet subdued personality. The lime adds a bit of tartness, reflecting the occasional sharpness Toby exhibits, while the simple syrup sweetens the mix, just like his kind-hearted nature, yet thoughtful, capturing the essence of Toby Flenderson.