A unique cocktail has been created to honor a 550-pound black bear that famously took up residence in the crawlspace of a Southern California home for 37 days — a drink its creator says comes “as close as you can get to the experience of smelling him.”
Homeowner Ken Johnson, 63, sampled the honey-forward cocktail, called “Yellow 2120,” alongside The Post at The Proper Restaurant and Bar in La Cañada Flintridge, just minutes from his Altadena home where the bear lived for more than a month. The drink is named for the bear’s yellow fur tint and the California wildlife tracking tag once attached to its ear.
“This cocktail really captures the scents and flavors of the bear’s presence,” Johnson said while enjoying the drink on Wednesday.
The cocktail was created by The Proper’s head bartender, Bianca Heer, who followed Johnson’s ordeal firsthand. During the 37 days the bear occupied his crawlspace, Johnson frequently stopped by the bar to unwind and share updates.
“We watched and heard the entire story unfold,” Heer said. “We wanted to create something meaningful that Ken could remember him by.”
Working together, the pair set out to recreate what Heer called the “essence of the beast.”
The base of the drink is Old Forester bourbon, a nod to the bear’s natural forest habitat. The animal was eventually removed from Johnson’s home using paintballs filled with vegetable oil.
“Bears belong in the forest,” Heer said.
Cointreau was added next after Johnson described the bear’s scent as slightly citrusy. “We tested a few orange liqueurs and landed on Cointreau,” Heer explained.
Honey — a clear reference to a bear’s favorite treat — rounds out the sweetness, while lemon juice and black walnut bitters add a musky, woody finish. The cocktail will remain a permanent menu item for patrons curious about what it might taste like to live alongside a bear.
“That’s him,” Johnson said after taking a sip. “Now everyone can know. And it’s very delicious.”
While the experience was often stressful, Johnson says it left a lasting impression.
“As frustrating as it was, it was worth it to see such a magnificent animal up close,” he said. “It was painful at times, but I’m glad I had the experience.”