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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