Yuri's Night: Lost in Space

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to venture into space. So what better way to celebrate this achievement than by participating in Yuri's Night- a host of space-themed parties around the globe. The official Yuri's Night website list parties and lectures you can attend on their events page.  While there are a few events taking place within a few hours of my house I think I'll probably celebrate by watching the 1960's television show Lost in Space.

Lost in Space was a science-fiction series that ran three seasons from 1965 to 1968. Originally based on a comic book, the show went from drama to comedy fairly quickly. This very campy show featured the Robinson Family on a mission to start a new colony on Alpha Centauri because by 1997 the earth had become to crowded. The real stars of the show quickly became Dr. Zachary Smith, who wasn't even in the first episode, and the Robot. Dr. Smith was a cantankerous stowaway trying to ruin the mission and The Robot, while never named, was capable of human emotions and even played the guitar. Misadventures and aliens creatures are the plot movers.

Lost in Space was a product of our excitement and fear about traveling in space. If you haven't watched an episode in awhile or if you've never seen one you owe it to yourself to mix a Lost in Space Martini and pull up YouTube or Hulu and watch at least one episode.

Lost in Space Martini

2 oz Citrus Vodka

1 oz Triple Sec

1 oz Tang Orange Juice

Rim a glass with powdered Tang. Shake ingredients in a ice-filled shaker and strain into a martini glass.

After you watch an episode (pick any one- you won't be as lost as they are), you might want to venture over to Etsy or Ebay to find an original Robot toy from the show. You're going to need a few stiff drinks to purchase one though. They're not cheap.

1966 Remco Lost in Space Robot