Emperor Norton's 2nd Mistress, Elixir

I've been wanting to try Elixir in the Mission District of San Francisco for ages. Luckily I was in the neighborhood on a Wednesday afternoon and was able to pop in. The cocktail menu is such a fun read, but given the number of great drinks page after page (Spring Produce Cocktails, Elixir Classics, Ritual Cocktails, Golden Gate Cocktails and Classic Cocktails), it was definitely difficult to narrow down to a few choices. I guess the bartender...

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Arbutus Aperitif, Arbutus

Arbutus is a restaurant located in the SOHO neighborhood of London. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when I found out my friends had made pre-theater reservations at a restaurant that only served wine and beer. I was resigned to the fact that I was going to have some wine at dinner when I saw their signature aperitif at the top of the menu. I'm so glad that I gave the Arbutus Aperitif a try. What a surprisingly elegant and refreshing...

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Chili Season, Alexander's Steakhouse

Alexander's Steakhouse is located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. It's been a while since I've been to Alexander's so I was excited to try a few of the new cocktails on the Alexander's Originals Menu. With tequila, chili and pineapple gum syrup, I knew that I was going to give the Chili Season a try. As the server mentioned, the cocktail is perfectly balanced. Although I must admit since I like spicy cocktails, with a name...

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Cask Mai Tai, Artesian Hotel

The Artesian Bar is located in the Langham Hotel just off of Oxford Circus in Central London. With Barrel Aged cocktails all the rave the past year, I wanted to see what this internationally award winning bar came up with with the Cask Mai Tai.  From the presentation with the edible garnishes to the smooth flavor, I could only say" Oh Mai My!". There's no need to describe how good this cocktail is since the Artesian does an amazing job...

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Rhubarb Margarita, Hakkasan

Hakkasan is a modern Chinese restaurant which has several locations in London, Middle East, US and India. Before my trip to London in the Spring, I had read that Hakkasan was planning an outpost in my home city of San Francisco. So I knew during the London trip I had to check out Hakkasan's London location. It took quite a while to browse through the extensive cocktail and food menus. For their cocktail menu alone, the categories were Cocktails,...

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Bonne Vie No 2, Ice Cream Bar

The Ice Cream Bar is located in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.I just returned from a research visit in Las Vegas and had nothing in my fridge to put a quick lunch together. So I headed to the Ice Cream Bar to check out their lunch offerings and see what drinks (although non-alcoholic) are on the menu. I had a tough time deciding between the Passion Project lactart and and the float. After a short discussion with the soda jerk,...

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Coco Chanel, DSTRKT

DSTRKT is a restaurant and nightclub located just off Piccadilly Circus in Central London. It opened late 2011 with a £25 million renovation to the space. There are so many choices for cocktails and delicious food at this destination club/restaurant. Everything from the space to the cocktails to the foods grabs your attention. Just like the space, the Coco Chanel Cocktail was bold, stunning, elegant, and smooth all at once. You can not go wrong...

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Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Plaj

Plaj is a Scandinavian restaurant located at the Inn at the Opera in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. One of our beer researchers is currently on holiday in Scandinavia and passed by 9 Fiskargatan in Stockholm. So I figured it was perfect timing to share the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo drink which is found on the Plaj list (pronounced play), aka the cocktail menu. This snowy white  cocktail is delightfully good. It's neither...

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The Grace, Bevacco

The Grace is a skillfully mixed cocktail from the bar at Bevacco in beautiful and historic Brooklyn Heights NY. Served up it has a very light lavender color with a thick white foamy top. A mixture of Veev, Creme de Violette, Bonal Gentian-Quina, Lemon, Egg White and Prosecco makes for a cocktail that is light in citrus, a bit fruity and very refreshing with an artfully crafted blend of flavors that keeps one intrigued sip after sip. The Creme...

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Georgia Lemonade, Dixie

Dixie is a Southern restaurant located in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco. They have an extensive list of cocktails that it's been difficult to decide on which one to have the couple times I have gone. Since I was there during their happy hour, known as the Cocktail Hour, I sat in one of the Large booths at the lounge area. My research partner for happy hour that day decided to go with the $5 cocktail hour special for the week named...

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Azucar, Azucar

Azucar is a Mexican Lounge in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. I first heard about Azucar when I attended the Cuesa Spring Cocktails of the Farmer's Market, where Edgar served up the delicious Beso de Rogelio. Although it took a while for me to actually make it to Azucar, I have made it one of my regular spots since the Mexican street food and the fresh cocktails are delicious and addicting. I chose the signature cocktail...

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Prickly Pecos Margarita, West of Pecos

West of Pecos is a restaurant located in the Mission District of San Francisco. I am in cocktail heaven on this block of Valencia Street with West of Pecos, Locanda and Wo Hing General Store. When I saw the serrano pepper with tequila in the Prickly Pear Margarita, I knew that's what I had to order. I had no idea that a prickly pear was a raspberry colored fruit. So when the pink cocktail arrived, I was a bit skeptical. I honestly don't know...

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The Plajer, Plaj

Plaj is a Scandinavian restaurant located in the Inn on the Opera in San Francisco's Haye's Valley neighborhood. It's San Francisco's only Scandinavian restaurant. The closest my fellow researchers had been to Scandinavian food is the Ikea cafeteria. There are some fun named and unique flavor combinations in the cocktails at Plaj (pronounced Play). I loved the half sphere of ice in this bold flavored and comforting drink, The Plajer. There...

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La Capilla, Cotogna

Cotogna is a casual Italian restaurant in the Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco. I recently went to lunch with one of my mocktail researchers. They had no idea that there was a difference between Coke made stateside (with high fructose corn syrup) and Coke made in Mexico (with refined cane sugar). It's funny given their ties to the Mexican community. I just loved how the presentation for this drink from the salted rim to the thick...

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All Summer Long, Cotogna

Cotogna is an Italian restaurant located in the Jackson Square neighborhood of San Francisco. It's the casual sister restaurant of the upscale Quince just next door. I have enjoyed every single cocktail that I've ordered at Cotogna. While the rest of the US has had record heat this summer, the weather in San Francisco has been the typical summer weather, with fog, mist, and cold. Just the other day one of my neighbors was using their fireplace....

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Spring's Arrow, Two Sisters

Two Sisters Bar and Books is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. I love how they have transformed this space, which formerly housed Frjtz into a welcoming den of cocktails, small dishes and books. Although they don't have an extensive cocktail menu, each cocktail that I've had there is exquisitely prepared. On this visit, I ordered Spring's Arrow. I absolutely loved the watermelon jolly rancher color of this drink. But...

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Zakuski Mule, Windows Lounge

Windows Lounge is located in the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. Starting daily at 4pm, they serve appetizers which they describe as a refined approach to street food (aka StrEAT food). After a touristy day in Los Angeles, the Zakuski Mule (I love trying to say this name in a Russian accent) was the perfect pick me up cocktail. It's a smash of flavor to the palate and an invigorating herbal citrus aroma for the nose. I can also see it as a...

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Southern Gentleman, Reed and Greenough

Reed and Greenough is a snazzy cocktail lounge located in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco. Since 7x7 announced their Toast to Ambition Cocktail Contest with Russian Standard Vodka, I've been trying to find time to taste of all the seven cocktails on the list. I've loved all the cocktails on my various visits to Reed and Greenough. When I read their entry for the contest, the Southern Gentleman, the watermelon, rhubarb bitters and liquid...

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Sober Sailor, Blue Mermaid

The Blue Mermaid Chowder House and Bar is located in the Argonaut Hotel in the touristy Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood of San Francisco. They have fun seafarers food and grog menus. If you don't feel like wine, beer or a cocktail, Blue Mermaid has a playful mocktail called the Sober Sailor. This drink is fun, slightly bubbly and on the brink of sweet.Note, this non-alcoholic cocktail is listed in the cocktail menu and not with the other non-alcoholic...

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Wonderlust, Absinthe

Absinthe Brasserie is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. As I've previously mentioned, this is one of my favorite cocktail spots in San Francisco. My research companion that afternoon is not particularly a fan of cocktails because they tend to be sweet. I decided on the Wonderlust since it had the Creme de Violette that I loved in Skool's Empress Elizabeth cocktail. The ingredients in this drink really intrigued me. I...

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Piedmonte Punch, Locanda

Locanda is an Italian restaurant located in the Mission District in San Francisco. The Piedmonte Punch is a heavenly petite cocktail. But don't let it's size trick you. This cocktail packs a Piedmonte Punch! With cocktails like this, I'll drink my dessert anytime, thank you. The Drink - Piedmonte Punch, $10 Grappa, pineapple, lemon, and bitters The Place - Locanda San Francisco, Mission District www.locandasf.com Other Locanda cocktails Venetian...

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Ginger Margarita, Spice Market London

The Spice Market is located in the W Hotel in Leicester Square in London, England. It was my first meal in London since I moved from there almost 16 years ago. What a great way to celebrate my London return. One of my researchers is a fan of ginger cocktails, so when I saw the Ginger Margarita on the menu, I knew that's what I had to order. With tequila, ginger and ginger salt, this drink did not disappoint. This cocktail shines with the spicy...

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