Eve's Abandon at RN74 in San Francisco

RN74 is a Michael Mina restaurant located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. I've had many memorable nights with good friends at RN74 since it first opened. In fact, I am surprised this is the first RN74 cocktail that I am posting. Earlier this particular evening, I attended the sneak peak at RN74 for The Company Bar and Kitchen which is slated to open late Summer. My research partner is a big whiskey drinker...

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La Bonne Vie at Rickhouse in San Francisco

Rickhouse is located in Union Square in San Francisco. La Bonne Vie translates from French to English as The Good Life. I ventured off to Rickhouse a few weeks ago when it was unusually hot in San Francisco. Now that the San Francisco summer has begun with the fog and drizzle, today I am thinking about how lucky we were for that fabulous weather. I love the description in the cocktail menu for this drink, "We will save you any explanation...

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Roffignac Cocktail at Hard Water in San Francisco

Hardwater is located in Pier 3 along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. As my research partner and I were drinking through Hard Water's cocktail menu, we were both intrigued with the red hembarig syrup. When we asked the server, they said it's a German syrup. Since neither of us had a drink with the ingredient, I knew I had to try the cocktail. I am so glad I did. This is a refreshing tangy cocktail with citrus hints. Now a few weeks later since...

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The Lola at Blackbird in San Francisco

Lola is a Spanish form of Dolores. I had just seen my Lola Dolores the day before at her daughter's wedding a few weeks ago and was inspired to order this. I knew of the sexy and strong association with the name Lola. However, I didn't know about the Spanish origin meaning sorrow. This drink definitely has a strong spirit base from both the tequila and mezcal. But is also shows it's sexy side with white tea, King's Ginger and Grapefruit Bitters....

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The Kokomo at Blackbird in San Francisco

Blackbird is a wonderful neighborhood bar located in the Castro in San Francisco. I spent a a few days in April in Hawaii. When I saw the ingredients in the Kokomo cocktail, I knew it would transport me to the island paradise. The rum, coconut water, orgeat and the tiki bitters teased me for a taste of the islands. As expected, this cocktail did not disappoint. Head to Blackbird for a Kokomo if you want to  reminisce moments from your tropical...

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The Sumo Wrestler at Blackbird in San Francisco

Blackbird, in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, was our 3rd stop on a bar crawl.  I haven't been to Blackbird since it opened in 2009. Within a nano second of viewing the cocktail menu, my research partner declared, "I want a Sumo Wrestler". Did I have the heart to tell it that Evan Williams was bourbon? Of course not because I wanted to try it too with the bourbon and yuzu(Japanese citrus). Wow, what a tasty cocktail. The yuzu adds...

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English Breakfast at Residence Bar in San Francisco

The Residence Bar is located in Duboce Triangle in San Francisco. It's tea time and my research partner is having an English Breakfast. Since this was an impromptu stop on a mini bar crawl, my partner was looking for something light. The cucumber lemon spa drink seemed like the perfect choice. But she'd never had Pimm's. I said "Order it! You'll love it." So did she like it? Yep, it was sipped away with the blink of an eye. Now where are the...

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Mexican Radio at The Alembic in San Francisco

For Cinco de Mayo, I headed to the Alembic Bar in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco in search of a cocktail to celebrate. I was excited to see the Mexican Radio cocktail name on the menu and duly ordered it. The Alembic's cocktail menu is always a fun read. Catchy cocktail names gets me to look at the ingredients. An interesting story to go along with the name and the ingredients just adds to the experience and is a conversation...

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Riding With Death at the Residence Bar

The Residence Bar and Lounge is in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood of San Francisco. I was walking on my way to Churchill Bar when I saw The Residence door open. It's been on my radar to try since it opened in 2010, but I'd never been. So I decided to take a look at their cocktail menu. When I saw a lot of the drinks were pretty heavy for a Sunday afternoon, I started walking out the door. I am so glad that the bartender said "C'mon, give us...

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La Arma at Padrecito in San Francisco

Padrecito is located in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. It has quickly become one of my favorite places in San Francisco to enjoy a cocktail. When dessert time came, I asked which cocktail would pair best with the churros. The server came back and said the La Arma. I usually enjoy anejo tequila straight, however in this case, I enjoyed it even more with the Churros. Per Google translate, La Arma means the weapon in Spanish. And...

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A Campos Cooler at Rickhouse in San Francisco

Rickhouse is located a few blocks from Union Square in San Francisco. I wandered the blocks around Union Square trying to figure out which place to go to. It's been a while since I'd been to Rickhouse, so I decided to head over. For those of you who live in the SF Bay Area, you know that yesterday in San Francisco was unusually hot. By the time I got to Rickhouse, I wanted something to quench my thirst. I  first ordered the La Bonne...

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Nuestra Paloma, Beretta

Beretta is an Italian restaurant located in the Mission District of San Francisco. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a drink and meal at Beretta. I'm so glad that I recently had time to stop by. For the last few weeks, I've been addicted to grapefruit cocktails. So when I saw a Paloma on the menu, I knew that's what I was going to order. I love Beretta's version of the classic Paloma with the elderflower twist. The Nuestra Paloma was fragrant,...

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The Company Bar and Kitchen #cocktailcorner

Last night I attended a sneak peak called #cocktailcorner for Michael Mina's new Indian restaurant opening in San Francisco this summer called The Company Bar and Kitchen. Sommelier extraordinaire Rajat Parr and cocktail master Carlos Splendorino were there to share the concept and inspiration for the new gathering space opening on Steuart Street late summer. The team teased the guests with four cocktails and three bites. We were all excited about...

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Mint Julep, Dixie

Dixie is a restaurant located in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco. With the Kentucky Derby coming up this weekend, some of you may be looking for places that serve a good Mint Julep. One place that is always serving a Mint Julpe is Dixie. They can make Classic Mint Julep as shown above or a seasonal one (which per their website is a Strawberry Mint Julep). In San Francisco, Alembic, Hakkassan, and Hard Water also serve a classic...

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