Fetish, Ivy Rooftop

The Ivy Rooftop is located in the Andaz Hotel which is in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The rooftop pool bar by day transforms into the Ivy Rooftop at night. The specialty cocktail names are such a fun read on the cocktail menu.  I decided on the Fetish with Corzo Blanco, cucumber, simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  The added touch of pepper made this exhilarating cocktail more savory. On cool nights, there are...

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Blood Orange Jalapeno, Flavor del Mar

Flavor del Mar is hidden on the second level of the Del Mar Plaza along the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. I had read in the San Diego Magazine that the Tangerine Jalapeno was cocktail of choice at Flavor del Mar. I was disappointed when the server said they thad replaced the Tangerine Jalapeno for another citrus. But when he returned to say the new citrus was blood orange, my disappointment turned to excitement. For me, you can not go wrong...

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La Paloma, Mosto

When I arrived on a Wednesday night at 7:30, it was standing room only at both Tacolicious and Mosto in San Francisco's Mission District.  I've been wanting to try Mosto, the tequila lounge for Tacolicious since it opened. But I've always been distracted with Tacolicious' Pasion.  Luckily I found my drinking companion already seated at the Mosto Bar. There aren't as many cocktail choices at Mosto as the tequila pours are...

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Scorpione, Farina

Farina is located in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco.  I have always enjoyed not only the quality but also the color of the cocktails at Farina. The Scorpione is new on the Modern Italian section of the cocktail menu. The Flor de Cana rum, meyer lemon juice, simple syrup, and aperol combine to create a delicate sweetness, light citrus flavor and distinct hue of orange.  The thick lemon wedge and basil atop the ice cube...

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Beach Basil Ginger, Beach Chalet

After a 5+ hour trip to San Francisco Airport earlier in the day, I was looking for a place for a quick happy hour stop between the end of a 4pm and 6pm in the Outer Sunset. I decided to take a drive down to The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant which is located along Ocean Beach since at that time, parking would not be an issue. The Beach Chalet cocktail menu is divided into two categories: Beach Chalet Cocktails ($9) and Premium House...

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Lavender Collins, O3

O3 Bistro and Lounge in the Civic Center neighborhood of San Francisco just opened in January. I love how they have updated the former California Pizza Kitchen restaurant to a sexy new bistro and lounge perfect for pre-theater, pre-symphony, pre-ballet dinner. The Signature Cocktail menu had several tequila cocktails that caught my eye. Unfortunately during my lunch there, the bartender had not arrived and only 3 cocktails were available. Given...

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Jenni Lee, The Bowery Diner

The Bowery Diner in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City just opened earlier in  2012.  It's hard to miss the cocktails listed on the menu.  There are so many with such interesting names (The Rupert Holmes, Teaches on Peaches, Sunshine on my Shoulder) and ingredients (hibiscus agave, peach infused agave and house-made pickle brine).  I decided on the Jenni Lee with buffalo trace bourbon, mint agave, fresh lime...

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Noche Martini, Skool

The Noche Martini at Skool located in the Design Center neighborhood in San Francisco awakens your senses.  The Kahlua, Svedka vanilla vodka and Illy espresso blend together provide the perfect boost needed to get through the rest of the day or night. The strong aroma from the Illy espresso, the fluffy layer of hand whipped cream and texture of the crunchy coffee grounds on top complete this stimulating cocktail. The Skinny Lunch...

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Viceroy, Cotogna

Cotogna in the Jackson Square area of San Francisco serves one of my favorite tequila cocktails, the Viceroy.  You slowly sip the Viceroy to enjoy every single drop of the reposada tequila, hint of sweet from pineapple and hint of heat from chili. Cotogna's Viceroy rules! The Skinny Lunch Monday-Saturday, Dinner Monday - Sunday http://www.cotognasf.com/ Viceroy, $9 Other Cotogna drinks Strait Breeze Vodoo Child Valentino All Summer Long La...

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Galapagos, Absinthe Brasserie

Absinthe Brasserie in San Francisco is my favorite place to drink a cocktail in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.  They have an extensive list of cocktails with all types of liquors. The Galapagos is my go to cocktail at Absinthe when I find myself in a rare indecisive moment. Although the Galapagos is pisco based, it's not overly sweet like most pisco cocktails. The citrus and pepper flavors serve as the backdrop for this...

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Chili Mango Margarita, JRDN

From the Mixed Pleasures section of the cocktail menu, the Chili Mango Margarita @ JRDN in the hotel Tower 23 in San Diego. With chili infused tequila, mango and house mix, this spicy sweet margarita hits the perfect spot after a sunny afternoon in Pacific Beach. The squeeze of lime smoothed the sweetness of the mango/house mix.  During the day you can sip the afternoon away in the outdoor seating area to catch more rays and to observe...

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Chipotle Margarita, Tipsy Pig

My dining companions wanted to head to Tipsy Pig in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco for their comforting mac and cheese.  My choice cocktail for the meal, the Chipotle Margarita, at the Tipsy Pig is not your usual margarita since it's vodka based not tequila based.  But with Hangar One chipotle vodka, fresh cilantro, fresh lime and simple syrup, you barely miss the tequila. I must admit the margarita was a tad sweet and...

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Mayan Calendar, Alexander's Steakhouse

The Mayan Calendar at Alexander's Steakhouse in the SOMA neigborhood of San Francisco is a rich comforting cocktail. With the texture and sweet tones created by mixing the Fortaleza Blanco, housemade orgeat, whole egg, lemon juice, bitters and fresh nutmeg, it's dessert in a glass.  Is this cocktail to celebrate doomsday or a cosmic shift as predicted in the Mayan Calendar developed 5000+ years ago or to pay tribute to the Mayan civilization?...

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