Homefront, Churchill

 

Churchill is a bar located in the Castro/Market neighborhood of San Francisco. A well-lit bar by day transforms into a low-lit sexy bar at night. All their cocktails captivate you. The rosemary syrup in the Homefront cocktail instantly charmed me when I read it on the menu. It's a perfect light and refreshing cocktail for Indian Summer in San Francisco.

With farm to table all the rage for foodies, I was pleasantly surprised to see on the Hangar One website the term "farm to glass". I am not a connoisseur of spirits. But I do enjoy learning about the nuances on how brands source and distill their spirits. In this case, Hangar One Straight is made from grapes, specifically viognier. Check out the Hangar One website for a well illustrated fun read.

Happy National Vodka Day!

The Drink - Homefront, $10
Hangar One Straight, Dolin Blanc, Rosemary Syrup, Lemon, Soda

Civilians at home for a nation at war.

The Place - Churchill

Castro/Market, San Francisco

Bar, open daily 4pm-2am. Happy hour daily until 7pm.

http://churchillsf.com/

Other Churchill drinks

El Diablo

Farewell to Arms
Jalapeno Business

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Firecracker Cocktail, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy Asian/Portuguese restaurant located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. When you take a peak from the street, you can barely see beyond the bar. With so many choices in New York City, it's hard to figure out where to go. My fingers did the walking on my smartphone. I am so glad I found this cocktail kingdom. The Firecracker cocktail bursts with flavors in your mouth. Smokey, slight sweetness, and spicy. One of favorite types of cocktails.

The Drink - Firecracker

Barsol Pisco Italia combined with Homemade Crema de Mezcal, lime and pineapple juices finished with Macao's 5 Spice Bitters.

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian Portuguese fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

Other Macao Trading Company drinks
Yellow Fever #2
Cicinho Sour

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The Dark Knight, Two Sisters

Two Sisters Bar and Books has quickly become my favorite spot for an afternoon cocktail in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. The quality of the food, drinks and service is top-notch. The Dark Knight intrigued me with the cherry/balsamic vermouth ingredient. I love the combination of flavors. The balsamic not only adds the deep color to this mysterious character of the night, but really adds depth in flavor. I've never tasted this style of cocktail before. I welcome this wicked savory cocktail, the Dark Knight, anytime!

The Drink - The Dark Knight, $10
Gin, cherry/balsamic vermouth, campari, aperol

The Place - Two Sisters
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Bar
http://www.2sistersbarandbooks.com

Other Two Sisters Bar and Books drinks
Iggy Pop
Spring's Arrow

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Cicinho Sour, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy Asian/Portuguese restaurant located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. You are instantly mesmerized as soon as you step inside this paradise. The cocktails, food and service complete your in the moment adventure to Macao. There are lots of fun name cocktails here. My research companion ordered an edgy twist on the classic Pisco Sour called The Cicinho Sour. It was simply divine!

The Drink - Cicinho Sour, $15

Leblon Cachaca shaken with fresh lime juice served up, sprinkled with nutmeg & Angostura bitters, prepared in the traditional manner.

Here's a link to the recipe and others at Macao Trading company.

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian/Portuguese Fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

Other Macao Trading Company drinks
Yellow Fever #2

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Southern Exposure, Alembic

The Alembic is located in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Since this Saturday is not only Cinco de Mayo but is also the Kentucky Derby, I realized that I should also feature a Mint Julep this week. I must admit I had to google Mint Julep in San Francisco to see if anyone had a recommended place for this drink. Luckily I found it on the Daytime Menu at the Alembic. It was fun to see and hear the ice cracked by hand between the palm and the back of a spoon with a resounding swift whack.

I love the description of this drink in the Alembic menu, "Mint Julep. Do you have a friend that just knows everything? The world is full of know-it-all’s, and they all have a recipe for this classic. Well, as Frank Sinatra sang, as well as Sid Vicious (who both have julep recipes), we do it our way. We offer to you, humbly, mint, sugar, old fitzgerald 12 year old bourbon, and brutally crushed ice. Refreshing and relaxing, the perfect repose from whatever race you’ve been running."

The Skinny
Lunch and Dinner 7 nights a week, late night (open until 2 AM everyday)
http://www.alembicbar.com/
Mint Julep, $9

Other Alembic Drinks
Last Caress
Southern Exposure

Mint Julep
Promissory Note


Other pics from this visit

Top view of the Mint Julep

Pork Belly Slider, $5

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A Toast to One Year for Drinks in the City

Today marks our first anniversary of sharing Drinks in the City where we live, work and play. We'd love to thank all of our contributors, fans and researchers for a fun year. Flip through our gallery(http://www.drinksinthecity.com/view/flipcard) of drinks in our first year and let us know what your favorite drink, picture and post is. 

We look forward to many more as we celebrate the deliciosity of the liquid experience!  Cheers!

Rosata Spumante "Santhomas" Pinot Nero, Cotogna, $10

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Smokey and the Bandito, Skool

Skool is a Japenese influenced seafood restaurant in the Design District of San Francisco. Frequent readers of Drinks in the City know that I love the food, cocktails and service at Skool. They have updated their menus to reflect the change in the seasons. I just love trying new cocktails at my favorite places. The Smokey and the Bandito intrigued me with the tequila, pineapple gum and the Laguvulin rinse. It took me on a smartphone research trip to get more info about the movie. I never knew that it was illegal to distribute Coors beer east of the Mississippi or perhaps that Coors limited their distribution. In any case, so glad that the Smokey and the Bandito is not illegal. Yes, if you do have too many of these, Smokey may be chasing you. So remember, please don't drink and drive.

Today mark's Drinks in the City's one year anniversary. An overflowing toast and big thanks to all of you who are celebrating the deliciosity of the liquid experience with us!

The Drink - Smokey and the Bandito, $10
Tequila blanco, pineapple gum syrup, egg white and lemon, served in a Laguvulin 16 yr rinsed coupe glass.

The Place - Skool
San Francisco, Design District
Seafood
Daily lunch, daily dinner, weekend brunch, full bar, happy hour, outdoor dining

Other Skool drinks

The International
Haole's Downfall
Empress Elizabeth
Sansho Stiles
Summer Mary
Noche Martini 
La Fresa
Imperial Caipirinha

G Rated (non-alcoholic)

Birds of a Feather

Other pictures from this visit (new menu items)

$5 Mussels during Detention Hall

Smoked Salmon Flatbread, $10

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