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 loved the the spice from Bols Genever, the smoothing quality of the pineapple gum and the kick from the Absinthe. Since it wasn't sweet, I encouraged my friend to give it a try. We both loved the licorice flavor in the drink. A cocktail visit to Absinthe is not complete without trying a cocktail with Absinthe in it.

I love how the Absinthe cocktail menu on the bar menu is now separated into categories: Champagne, Aperitif, Stirred, Shaken and Long. But it doesn't make it any easier to choose which cocktail to enjoy.

If you're unfamiliar with Bols Genever, it's a gin-like spirit that can only be made in the Netherlands. It's protected just like Champagne.

The Cocktail - Wonderlust, $12
Bols Genever, Small Hand Foods Pineapple Gum, Creme de Violette, lemon juice and a dash of Absinthe

The Place - Absinthe Brasserie
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday, weekend brunch, dinner Saturday, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/

Other Absinthe Drinks
Citron Lemonade
Mata Leao
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac
Citron Presse

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Citron Presse, Absinthe

With some recent summer weather in the San Francisco, I've been wondering where to find some refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Who knew Absinthe Brasserie in Hayes Valley would have more than a few choices. The Citron Presse is a made to order drink, made by you, and pressed by the Absinthe bartender. It's simple table entertainment with fresh pressed lemon juice, water and simple syrup. While we do make fresh lemonade at home once in a while, Absinthe has more interesting pouring vessels than our usual measuring cups at home.

The Skinny
Weekend brunch, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/
Citron Presse, $4

Other Absinthe cocktails
Citron Lemonade
Mata Leao
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac

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Citron Lemonade, Absinthe

Absinthe is my favorite cocktail spot in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. The Citron Lemonade is the adult version of the non-alcoholic Absinthe Lemonade. With Hangar One Buddha’s Hand, ginger syrup, fresh lemon-lime juice, ginger beer and a topping of cranberry juice, how else can you describe this drink except for refreshing! Per the cocktail menu, "This is a variation of our non-alcoholic beverage “The Absinthe Lemonade” created by Marcovaldo Dionysos. A great drink made all the better when someone came up with the bright idea of putting a shot of booze in it." Simply Genius!

The Skinny
Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/
Citron Lemonade, $11

Other Absinthe cocktails
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic)
Mata Leao
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac

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Mata Leao, Absinthe

Absinthe is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. With Matt Conway as the new bar manager, I've been wanting to try some of the new cocktails for some time. The Mata Leao is an invigorating concoction of Sagatiba velha cachaca, strawberry-hibiscus shrub, and lemon juice. Per their cocktail menu, the Mata Leao is "A Brazilian summertime elixir designed to awaken your inner lion killer." What a refreshing color and an equally refreshing drink. Roar!

The Skinny
Weekend brunch, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/
Mata Leao, $11

Other Absinthe drinks
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic) 
Citron Lemonade 

Other pics from the visit

 Garlic Parmesan Popcorn

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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 unique drink. The sweetest part of the drink, the sunken brandied cherries.

From the cocktail menu, "Pisco, kaffir lime leaf and pepper syrup, lemon-lime juice, a splash of grapefruit juice.  Shaken & served up with sunken brandied cherries. This is a Xanadoozle creation, named in honor of Kurt Vonngut's eponymous modern classic."

The Skinny

Closed Mondays, Lunch, Dinner, Full Bar

http://www.absinthe.com/

Galapagos, $9

Other Absinthe Drinks
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac
Mata Leao 
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic) 
Citron Lemonade 

Other pics from visit

Half Seafood Platter

Caucho (pisco based, with a float of rum)

Vanilla Cheesecake

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Absinthe Lemonade, Absinthe

The Absinthe Lemonade at Absinthe in San Francisco in Hayes Valley is not your typical lemonade.  How could it be with a mixture of lemonade, ginger beer and cranberry?  For an adult version of this drink, order the Citron Lemonade that adds vodka to the mix.

The Skinny
Closed Mondays, lunch, dinner, full bar

http://www.absinthe.com/

Other Absinthe drinks
Galapagos
Sazerac
Mata Leao 
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic) 
Citron Lemonade 

Other goodies during this visit:

Steak Frites 

 Croque Monseiur

Sazerac

Market Pasta(Dungeness Crab Parpardelle)

French Dip

 Chocolate Pot de Creme

Lemon Tart

 Grapefruit Sorbet

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Sazerac, Absinthe

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Fat Tuesday than to have a Sazerac at Absinthe in Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. Here's the cocktail ingredients and story per the Absinthe menu, "Rye whiskey, a dash of Peychaud's bitters, & a touch of sugar.  Stirred & served in a coupe glass rinsed with Pernod absinthe, with a lemon twist. A classic Absinthe cocktail from Famous New Orleans Frinks (1940). by Stanley Clisby Arthur."

How are you celebrating Fat Tuesday?

Restaurant Specifics
Closed Mondays, Lunch, Dinner, Full Bar
Sazerac, $9

Other Absinthe drinks
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Mata Leao 
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic) 
Citron Lemonade 

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