
In Season 3, Episode 13 of The X-Files, titled Syzygy, Agent Fox Mulder pours a thick, yellow, sticky substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a mostly empty bottle of vodka. This has been a topic of discussion among fans, with some speculating that it could be nacho cheese, honey, lemon meringue filling, or even a raw egg. However, it is later revealed that the substance is frozen orange juice concentrate, which, when combined with vodka, creates a cocktail known as a screwdriver.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the cocktail | Screwdriver |
| Main ingredients | Vodka and orange juice |
| Other ingredients | Orange juice concentrate, ice |
| Type of glass | Wine glass |
| Show | The X-Files |
| Season | 3 |
| Episode | 13 |
| Name of the episode | Syzygy |
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What You'll Learn

Agent Mulder mixes a thick, yellow substance with vodka
In The X-Files Season 3, Episode 13, "Syzygy", Agent Fox Mulder is seen mixing a thick, yellow substance with vodka. This scene takes place in a dingy motel, where Mulder, appearing a little out of character, uses a long metal spoon to scoop the sticky, bright-yellow substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a mostly empty bottle of vodka. He then closes the bottle, shakes it to mix the contents, and drinks it.
There has been much speculation about what this mysterious substance might be. Some viewers initially thought it could be nacho cheese, honey, a raw egg, sweetened condensed milk, lemon meringue filling, or even alien goop. However, the consensus among fans is that Mulder was likely making a cocktail called a "screwdriver" or "vodka orange." This drink typically involves mixing vodka with orange juice, and in this case, the substance was probably frozen orange juice concentrate, which was commonly sold in similar cardboard tubes during the 1980s and 1990s.
The use of orange juice concentrate would explain the thick, bright yellow appearance of the substance. Additionally, the episode contains references to odd behaviour, which could be attributed to the gravitational pull of planets causing strange behaviour in the town. Mulder's unusual cocktail-making method, including his use of cheap vodka and a higher ratio of vodka to orange juice, further emphasises his out-of-character behaviour.
While the exact recipe for Agent Mulder's drink remains a topic of discussion among fans, his unique cocktail-making skills have certainly left a lasting impression, with some even attempting to recreate the drink themselves.
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The substance is likely frozen orange juice concentrate
In Season 3, Episode 13 of The X-Files, titled "Syzygy", Fox Mulder is seen mixing a thick, yellow, sticky substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a bottle of vodka. This substance is likely frozen orange juice concentrate, also known as OJ concentrate, which, when combined with vodka, creates a cocktail called a screwdriver.
While it may seem unusual to mix a spoonful of OJ concentrate directly into a bottle of vodka, this method of preparation is consistent with Mulder's character and the episode's themes. The episode depicts Mulder and his partner Scully behaving erratically, sulking alone in their motel rooms, and being influenced by the alignment of the planets, causing gravitational pull and strange behavior in the town. Mulder's unconventional cocktail-making can be seen as a reflection of his out-of-character behavior.
The use of frozen orange juice concentrate also adds a layer of practicality and realism to the scene. In the 1980s and 1990s, frozen OJ concentrate was a common product, often sold in cardboard tubes or cans in the frozen food section of grocery stores. It is reasonable to assume that Mulder, while staying in a small town, would have had limited access to fresh ingredients and might have resorted to using whatever was available, creating a quick and easy drink.
Additionally, the process of mixing the concentrate directly into the vodka bottle, shaking it, and then drinking it aligns with Mulder's character. As viewers, we understand Mulder to be a loner who lacks a social life and receives messages from 1-900 numbers. His method of making a screwdriver reflects his character's pragmatic and straightforward approach to drinking, rather than carefully crafting cocktails with intricate ingredients.
While some viewers initially speculated that the substance could be nacho cheese, honey, lemon meringue filling, or even a hallucinogenic substance, the consensus among fans and commentators is that it is most likely frozen orange juice concentrate, creating Mulder's iconic screwdriver cocktail.
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This cocktail is known as a 'screwdriver'
In the X-Files Season 3, episode 13 "Syzygy", Agent Fox Mulder is seen making a cocktail in a motel room. He uses a long metal spoon to scoop a thick, yellow, sticky substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a mostly empty bottle of vodka. He then closes the bottle, shakes it, and drinks it. This drink has been dubbed "Mulder's Screwdriver" by fans.
While the substance in the bottle was initially speculated to be honey, nacho cheese, pudding, a raw egg, or condensed milk, it is now widely believed to be frozen orange juice concentrate. This would make the resulting cocktail a screwdriver, a drink made by mixing orange juice and vodka. The drink is typically made by pouring a shot or a double of vodka into a glass and then topping it up with orange juice. However, Mulder's unconventional method of mixing the concentrate directly into the vodka bottle is likely meant to highlight his strange behaviour in the episode, influenced by the gravitational pull of the planets.
The screwdriver cocktail is a simple and quick drink to make, especially if one uses frozen orange juice concentrate, which was a popular product in the 1980s and 1990s. The super-sweetness of the concentrate cancels out the vodka taste, and ice is optional. While some viewers were intrigued by Mulder's cocktail skills, others found the drink gross-looking. Nonetheless, "Mulder's Screwdriver" has gained a canonical status as a vodka-based long drink recipe.
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Mulder's cocktail is an indicator of his strange behaviour
In Season 3, Episode 13 of *The X-Files*, titled "Syzygy", Fox Mulder is seen making a cocktail in a motel room. He uses a long metal spoon to scoop a thick, yellow, sticky substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a mostly empty bottle of vodka. Mulder then closes the bottle and shakes it to mix the two substances. This drink has been dubbed "Mulder's Screwdriver" by fans of the show.
The substance Mulder adds to the vodka has been a topic of discussion among fans. Some initially thought it was nacho cheese, honey, raw egg, or lemon meringue filling. However, it is now widely believed to be frozen orange juice concentrate, which, when combined with vodka, creates a cocktail known as a screwdriver. While the method of preparation is unusual, with Mulder adding a spoonful of concentrate directly to the vodka bottle, the drink itself is not inherently strange.
However, the context in which Mulder makes this cocktail is indicative of his unusual behaviour in this episode. Mulder and his partner Scully find themselves acting out of character while in a small town. The episode attributes this strange behaviour to the astrological alignment of the planets, causing a gravitational pull that affects the entire town. Mulder's choice of a cheap vodka and unconventional preparation method for his drink further emphasises his unconventional behaviour.
Additionally, the isolated setting of a dingy motel room and the lonely atmosphere surrounding Mulder contribute to the perception of his odd actions. The cocktail, therefore, becomes a symbol of Mulder's temporary departure from his usual demeanour, showcasing a more eccentric and impulsive side influenced by the unique circumstances of the episode.
In conclusion, while the cocktail itself may not be inherently bizarre, the manner in which Mulder prepares it and the context of his unusual behaviour in the episode indicate a temporary deviation from his typical character. The drink becomes a memorable symbol of Mulder's eccentricities and the influence of the mysterious small-town setting.
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The cocktail appeared in Season 3, Episode 13 of The X-Files
In Season 3, Episode 13 ("Syzygy") of The X-Files, Fox Mulder is seen making a cocktail in a motel room. He uses a long metal spoon to scoop a thick, yellow, sticky substance from a dark brown cardboard canister into a mostly empty bottle of vodka. He then closes the bottle and shakes it to mix the two ingredients.
This drink has become known as "Mulder's Screwdriver" and is a canonical recipe for a vodka-based long drink. The yellow substance has been identified as frozen orange juice concentrate, which, when combined with vodka, creates a cocktail. While the concentrate is typically mixed with the vodka in a glass rather than directly in the bottle, Mulder's unconventional preparation may reflect his eccentric character and the unusual behaviour exhibited by the town's residents in this episode.
The episode depicts Mulder and his partner Scully behaving erratically, suggesting that the gravitational pull from a planetary alignment is influencing their actions. Some viewers have also speculated that the yellow substance could be an easily accessible hallucinogen, contributing to the characters' strange behaviour. However, the consistency and colour of the concentrate in the scene differ from typical orange juice concentrate, leading to some confusion among fans.
The cocktail scene has sparked various reactions from viewers, with some finding it amusing or intriguing and others expressing disgust at the unconventional mixing method. Some viewers have even attempted to recreate the drink, substituting the orange juice concentrate with alternative ingredients like vanilla pudding or raw eggs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Agent Mulder did not put cheese in his vodka.
Agent Mulder put frozen orange juice concentrate in his vodka. This combination of vodka and orange juice is known as a screwdriver.
Agent Mulder put frozen orange juice concentrate in his vodka to make a quick and cheap screwdriver.



















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