Fernet Julep, Hakkasan San Francisco

Hakkassan is an upscale Chinese restaurant located in the Financial District of San Francisco. In my two visits, I have enjoyed every single dish and every single cocktail that I've ordered. While the food may be pricier than a typical Chinese restaurant, it's well worth the occassional splurge. I love Hakkasan's twist on a classic Mint Julep. The addition of the Fernet Branca, ginger and spiced port infusion make a statement. 

The Drink - Fernet Julep, $12
Buffulo Trace Bourbon, Fernet Branca, mint, ginger, and spiced port infusion

The Place - Hakkasan

San Francisco, Financial District

Cantonese Chinese cuisine

Open daily lunch and dinner, full bar

http://www.hakkasan.com/sanfrancisco/

Other Hakkassan Drinks
Chinese Mule
Virgin Hakka
Rhubarb Margarita

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Mint Julep, Hard Water

Hardwater is Charles Phan's new Southern restaurant along the Embarcadero of San Francisco. With the Kentucky Derby coming up this weekend, I remember last year I was scouring different cocktail menus online to see which places served Mint Julep's in the city. Luckily it didn't take to long to find one at the Alembic. With more Southern inspired restaurants opening in the San Francisco like Hard Water and Dixie, it's been easier to find a Mint Julep. I love the detail in this julep cup and appreciate this simple well made cocktail.

The Drink - Mint Julep, $12
Bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves

Recipe as found in Imbibe Magazine below

For his Mint Julep, Erik Adkins saves the bourbon for last, drizzling it over the top of a bed of crushed ice.

2 oz. bourbon

1/3 oz. gomme syrup (or 2:1 simple syrup)

6 mint leaves

Tools: muddler

Glass: Julep

Garnish: 3 fresh mint sprigs

In the bottom of a Julep cup, gently press the mint leaves with the muddler to extract the oils. Fill the cup with crushed ice and insert a straw. Slap the mint leaves for garnish between your palms and place next to straw. Drizzle the bourbon on top, wait for the cup to frost, then serve.

Adapted by Erik Adkins for Hard Water, San Francisco

The Place - Hard Water
San Francisco, Embarcadero
Southern restaurant
Dinner Monday - Saturday, full bar
http://hardwaterbar.com/

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Beauty School Dropout, Mortimer Bar

The Mortimer Bar is located in the Hotel Adagio just a few blocks away from Union Square. I've been wanting to try Mortimer since it opened in August 2012. The Broadway inspired Cocktail Menu is a fun read. As soon as I saw the Beauty School Droput drink on the menu, I immediately started envisioning Frankie Avalon singing the song to Pinky in the movie "Grease". If had a few more of these, I would have been singing this song right in Mortimer. Luckily I decided to spare the other Mortimer patrons from my singing and did not order another. I will definitely be back for this delicious, smooth concoction. As a friend noted about this drink, "Wow it's got a great finish, not a strong finish like a lot of other drinks you like." Stop by to try a Broadway inspired cocktail. Perhaps with the Evita, The Fosse, Jersey Boys or The Phantom you'll be transported to the Broadway stage.

The Drink - Beauty School Dropout, $12
Breaking & Entering Bourbon, Cherry Heering, almond orgeat, egg white and a squeeze of lime

The Place - Mortimer Bar in the Hotel Adagio

San Francisco, Union Square

Hotel Bar with food, weekday happy hour (5pm-7pm)

Monday - Friday 4pm to Midnight

Weekends noon - midnight

http://hoteladagiosf.com/the-mortimer-bar.php

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Colt 45 with a Bullet, Floyd

Floyd  located at  131 Atlantic Ave. (between Henry St & Clinton St) in Brooklyn, NY gives you everything you love about a great dive bar plus a full size Bocce Ball court. Drinks are made from bottles of booze not chemistry sets.  A friendly and lively local scene with bar coasters that say "We're Glad You're Here!". A can of Colt 45 with a bullet $6 and a side of Beer Cheese. Say no more.

The Drink - Colt 45 with a Bullet, $6

The Place - Floyd
131 Atlantic Ave.
Brooklyn Heights, NY
718-858-5810
www.floydny.com
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 4 am
Sat-Sun 1 pm - 4 am

*Written by Drinks in the City San Francisco correspondent, Steven Ballinger.

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Vesper Lynd, Burritt Room

The Burritt Room is located on the 2nd floor of the Mystic Hotel just a block from Union Square in San Francisco. Originally I was going to meet friends at Cantina for drinks. But then one of them wanted to make sure there was food. So I suggested that we meet at Burritt Room. I'm glad I did. I definitely don't get to this hotel bar as often as I would like. I love the ambience set by the dark grey walls and the red velvet couches. The cocktail menu is divided into 3 sections, Craft Housemade Cocktails, Classic Cocktails and Punch Bowls. Since I just saw the Jame's Bond movie Casino Royale over the weekend, I decided to go with the Vesper Lynd cocktail. I loved this version with the cucumber twist.

I went to a James Bond themed party this past weekend (which was planned). Until that party, I had no idea that Vesper Lynd was a play on words for West Berlin. Traditionally (per the movie) the Vesper Martini is served in a champagne goblet and made with "Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel."

The Drink - Vesper Lynd, $12

Navy Strength Gin, cucumber infused Dolin Blanc

The Place - Burritt Room and Tavern

San Francisco, Union SquareDaily lunch and dinner, full bar
http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/Burritt/

Other Burritt Room Drinks

Without Permission

Poquito Piquante
Oaxacan Crusta

Other pictures from the visit

Duo of Tuna, $12

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Oaxacan Crusta, Burritt Tavern

The Burrit Room is located in the 2nd floor of the Mystic Hotel just a block from Union Square. I had my first Crusta named cocktail a few weeks back at Zero Zero (Meyer Lemon Crusta). So when I saw a Crusta cocktail at Burritt Room, I knew I had to order it. After doing some research on the Crusta style cocktail, I wondered how the Burritt Tavern's would compare. What I missed in the Meyer Lemon Crusta, I found in the Oaxacan Crusta, the citrus lip. With the grapefruit lip perfectly placed, I had no problems drinking from it. Give this smoky cocktail with hints of citrus a try. It's addicting. Beware, with one too many of these, you may not find it easy to drink from the grapefruit lip.

The Drink - Oaxacan Crusta, $12
Mezcal, Apple Brandy, agave syrup, lemon, Price Pomelo Bitters

The Place - Burritt Room and Tavern
San Francisco, Union Square
Daily lunch and dinner, full bar
http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/Burritt/


Other Burritt Room Drinks
Without Permission
Poquito Piquante
Vesper Lynd

Other pictures from the visit

Lobster Risotto, $22

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The Jessica Rabbit, Lavender Lake

"Beer, Cocktails, Dinner & Vibes"  is the lead line on Lavender Lake's web page and it's a perfect summation of this off the beaten path, Brooklyn chill scene establishment. They offer a large outdoor patio, great tunes and a shortlist cocktail menu with some wonderfully creative libations such as The Jessica Rabbit. Jalapeño infused tequila, carrot juice, cinnamon syrup and lime juice combine into flavors of heat, natural sweetness and bright citrus. Soft and pretty in it's appearance... don't be fooled.... this drink packs plenty of heat and seductive charm. Who did frame Roger Rabbit?

The Drink - The Jessica Rabbit

Jalapeño infused tequila, carrot juice, cinnamon syrup and lime juice

The Place - Lavender Lake

383 Carroll St
Gowanus
Brooklyn, NY

(347) 799-2154

www.lavenderlake.com

Hours

Monday - Thursday4pm - 12am
Friday:4pm - 2am
Saturday: 2pm - 2am

Sunday: 2pm - 12am  

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TBD, Mission Bowling Club

Mission Bowling Club is located in the Mission District of San Francisco. There are 6 bowling lanes at their facility and they house a restaurant in the front of the establishment. I've been anxiously waiting for an opening in my schedule to check them out since they opened. I'm so glad that I had an opening this weekend. When I was searching for fried chicken places in San Francisco, I saw that MBC had fried chicken. So besides checking out their cocktails, I was excited about trying their fried chicken and waffles. I didn't have to read any further than the 1st cocktail listed on the menu. From the House Cocktails section, number one of the menu is TBD. With mezcal and a jalapeno jam, how could I not try this cocktail first? My lips were hopping. But not so much that I was downing water between each sip. It gets better, spicier and smokier as you drink. Its the perfect drink to spice up the day. Also, it's a perfect pairing with the fried chicken and waffles (that sit atop a sriracha sauce).

*Note, this is our first picture using my new HTC One. 

The Drink - TBD, $10
Mezcal, dry vermouth, jalapeno jam, lime

The Place - Mission Bowling Club
San Francisco, Mission District
21+ weekdays and after 7pm weekends
Family friendly 11AM to 7PM weekends

Daily dinner and bar bites, weekend brunch, full bar

http://missionbowlingclub.com/

Other pictures from the visit

Fried Chicken and Waffles, $10 (the sriracha is below the waffles)

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Chinese Mule, Hakkasan San Francisco

Hakkasan is a restaurant located in the Financial District in San Francisco. When I heard that Hakkasan was opening a San Francisco outpost, when I was in London last Spring, I made sure that I checked out the restaurant. After my dining experience there, I didn't know how they could replicate the experience in San Francisco and curious how they would set prices for their cocktails. While several reviewers have called Hakkasan overpriced Chinese food, I am a big fan of Hakkasan San Francisco's food, cocktails, decor and service. I know several people that would be turned off from the Chinese Mule drink because of the cilantro. I must admit I am a big cilantro fan. Hakkasan's spin on the classic Ginger Mule is refreshing and herbaceous. I also loved the pop from the ginger and ginger beer.

Yes, I'm a little late for posting this, but this was my drink on 12/12/12 at 12/12. 

The Drink - Chinese Mule, $12

Hangar One Vodka, Masumi Okuden junmai sake, cilantro, ginger, ginger beer

The Place - Hakkasan

San Francisco, Financial District

Cantonese Chinese cuisine

Open daily lunch and dinner, full bar

http://www.hakkasan.com/sanfrancisco/

Other Hakkasan drinks
Rhubarb Margarita(London)
Virgin Hakka (London)

Other pictures from the visit

 Love the bar!

 Love the woodwork!

 Love the stitching!

 Pan fried Shanghai dumplings

Shrimp Curry

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Earl Grey MarTEAni, Pegu Club

Pegu Club is located at 77 West Houston Street between W. Broadway and Wooster St. in SOHO Manhattan. Walk too fast and you will miss the unassuming entrance to it's location on the second floor. Owner Audrey Sanders is considered a master of modern mixology and Head Bartender Kenta Goto was named American Bartender of the Year at the 2012 Tales of the Cocktail. Pegu Club boasts a seasonal menu of original and innovative libations such as the Earl Grey MarTEAni. Earl Grey Tea infused Gin, Lemon Juice, Raw Egg Whites and a touch of Simple Syrup transforms English Tea Time into a delightfully exotic cocktail. "Thank you Sir I'll have another."

The Drink - Earl Grey MarTEAni, 
Earl Grey Tea infused Gin, Lemon Juice, Raw Egg Whites, simple syrup

The Place - Pegu Club
New York City, Manhattan, SOHO
212-473-PEGU
Open
Sunday-Wednesday 5:00pm until 2:00am
Thursday-Saturday 5:00pm until 4:00am
www.peguclub.com

*Written by Drinks in the City San Francisco correspondent, Steven Ballinger.

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Berry Royale, The Campbell Apartment

The Campbell Apartment is located in the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Per their website  "Formerly the luxurious office and salon of '20's mogul Jown W. Campbell, this fully refurbished place revives the lifestyle of that storied era." The Berry Royale cocktail was the perfect drink to start the evening. I just love vitamin cocktails that are made with antioxidant rich fruit. I look forward to enjoying a drink at the Campbell Apartment in NY for my next visit this summer. How could I not go with a tag line on their website "Cocktails from another era". However, I will make sure I wear appropriate attire. Per their website, "Proper Attire Required. Absolutely no Athletic Shoes, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Baseball Caps, Shorts or Torn Jeans".

The Drink - Berry Royale
Champagne, blackberry-raspberry purée and maraschino liqueur

The Place - Campbell Apartment
New York City, Midtown
Open daily noon to closing (midnight, 1am, or 2am depending on the day)
www.hospitalityholdings.com

Written in collaboration with Drinks in the City NY correspondent, Elaine Chin.

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Milk Tea, Boba Guys

Boba Guys is located in the Mission District of San Francisco. With the boba craze, we've tried several times to try their boba. First time we tried to go, it was already closed. The second time, they ran out of boba. The third time there was no line, there was boba and there were seats at the counter. Score! While they may be serving the most expensive boba tea in the city, you have to think about the love that they put into their drinks with organic milk, organic tea, homemade syrup and Grade A boba. My research partner said the best milk tea in San Francisco so far (we must admit we haven't been to Tpumps yet). I'll definitely return, most likely on a Sunday, when they are experimenting with new flavors and also have boba cocktails. I'm can't wait for the Boba Guys to open their own location in Mission. For now, they are at pop up locations and Suika on a limited schedule.

On a side note, while I do love the Black Pearl at E&O Asian Kitchen with the dense Creme de Violette poured down the side to be the pearl. I'd love to see a boba pearl in there instead.

The Drink - Milk Tea, $4
Strauss Creamery organic milk, homebrewed Five Mountains organic heirloom tea, homemade syrup and Grade A boba

The Place - Boba Guys
San Francisco, Mission
Snack Bar at  and other pop up locations
Monday to Friday 11:30am - 2pm, Sat/Sun12pm to 4pm
http://bobaguys.com/

Other pictures from the Boba Guys

Pork Curry and Rice, $8

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Black Pearl, E&O Asian Kitchen

E&O Asian Kitchen (formerly known as E&O Trading Company) is a restaurant located a block from Union Square in San Francisco. As the name suggests, this Asian inspired restaurant also serves Asian inspired cocktails. With a name like the Black Pearl, how could I not try this cocktail first? The coconut water (great for hydration) and creme de violette(color) ingredients also hooked me in. I was also curious what they would use for a black pearl. You will have no trouble quickly getting to the sunken treasure at the bottom of the glass. So what's the black pearl? You'll need to go to find out.

This marks the 300th drink in our collection.

The Drink - Black Pearl, $12 

Matusalem rum, coconut water, velvet falernum, creme de violette

The Place - E & O Asian Kitchen

San Francisco, Union Square
Restaurant, Asian
http://www.eosanfrancisco.com/
Open daily for dinner, lunch (Monday to Saturday), happy hour (*including Saturdays*), late night (Thursday to Saturday), full bar

Other pictures from the E&O visit

 Indonesian Corn Fritters

Shiitake Dumplings (reminds me of the EOS days on Carl and Cole)

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Meyer Lemon Crusta. Zero Zero

Zero Zero is located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. I've seen the Meyer Lemon Crusta cocktail pop up on our Facebook feed for Zero Zero. I'm so glad I finally made it in to try this delicious aromatic cocktail. I don't know what I was expecting, but this drink experience exceeded it. A perfectly balanced smooth drink to welcome the day.

So what's a Crusta? It's a style of cocktail that was invented in New Orleans in the 19th century. It's been credited to be the father of the margarita, sidecar and I've read in other sites, that a Crusta cocktail can also be presented with sugared rim and the addition of a lemon peel lining the lip of the glass (usually served in a glass with a smaller opening). Here's a link to an entertaining writeup of the cocktail evolution found in Esquire Magazine.

The Drink, $11
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Meyer Limoncello, Pierre Fernand Dry Curaçao

The Place - Zero Zero
South of Market, San Francisco
Lunch and dinner 7 days a week, brunch
http://www.zerozerosf.com/

Other Zero Zero cocktails
Diablito
Torosian Heat
Peach Pimm's

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Ballad of the Woman Warrior, M.Y. China

M.Y. China is located in the Westfield Shopping Center in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco.  M.Y. stands for celebrity Chef Martin Yan. Both the food and the cocktails are equally tantalizing here. With the Ballad of the Woman Warrior cocktail, I was intrigued with the Creme de Violette liqueur. I've only had a few cocktails with this liqueur. However, I've been impressed with the presentation of all of them. (See drinks with Creme de Violette). This cocktail teases you with it's color. The light pop of the gin flavor goes well with the pop of color from the violette and the pink flower. How could something so pretty be so good and bad at the same time? One too many of these and you will be singing I am a Warrior by Patty Smyth.

The Drink - The Ballad of the Woman Warrior, $13
Right Gin, Creme de Violette, lime juice

The Place

San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)

Restaurant, full bar

Daily lunch and dinner

http://mychinasf.com/

Other M.Y. China drinks

Fire in the Wok

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