Knob Creek bourbon Manhattan. $9
Old Overholt rye, Bonal, orange liquer, orange bitters, Angostura bitters, orange peel. $10
The Box Social, Portland OR
I liked this place. They know how to make a decent cocktail and everyone was really friendly. These cocktails were also pretty tasty. Yay!
Bright lights chard, gaeta olives, mozzarella. Happy hour $8
Stoneburner, Seattle WA
Omg, only eight bucks for this amazing pizza during happy hour?! Count me in!! Honestly, this pizza was frickin’ great. The ingredients were top notch and the crust was heavenly. I think Stoneburner definitely has one of the best happy hours in Ballard!
Bourbon Old Fashioned: bourbon, gum syrup, bitters, orange zest. Happy hour $7
Parmesan, oregano, and dried chilies.
Barolo Vermouth Cocktail: cocchi rosso, boroli barolo chinato, bitters. $11
Barnacle, Seattle WA
This bar adjacent to The Walrus and the Carpenter is really cute. There bartenders are laid back and cool, and the drinks are created and tasty. If you’re waiting for a seat next door, definitely duck into this bar and relax.
Nocino Old Fashioned: calvados, walnut liqueur, nocino amero. $11
Encircled Stream fountain, Ned Kahn, Founders’ Court, Seattle Center.
Country Lawyer: Knob Creek bourbon, Zucca amaro, vermouth and bitters. $13
Park Tavern, San Francisco CA
Mmm, the cocktails at Park Tavern are pretty delicious! I have mixed feelings about my overall experience here though. Although the service was friendly and professional, they made some stupid mistakes that really detracted from the overall experience. Namely, they never brought us a dish even after I specifically asked if it was ever coming out. Our server ensured us it was on its way, but it never did and we were charged for it anyway! FAIL!
Alcatraz: Templeton rye, Averna amaro, and port. $13
Bulleit Manhattan: bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters. $10
Rye-min’ and Stealin’: rye, grapefruit, Campari, rose water, Peychaud’s bitters. $9
Quoin, Seattle WA
The cocktails at Quoin are good, some of them a bit overpriced in my opinion. Both drinks I tried were tasty and distinct. I really can’t choose a favorite because they were so different and hard to compare. The Rye-min’ cocktail was definitely easier to drink and was probably the “girlier” drink. I guess what made the Macho Man-hattan so manly was the scotch rinse. You could definitely taste the distinct bite especially if you’re not a regular scotch drinker. I liked it though.
Macho Man-hattan: rye, Antica formula, orange bitters, Islay scotch rinse. $12
Runners, David Govedare 1986.
Sankey Sour: bourbon, aperol, fresh orange juice, egg whites, angostura bitters and house made sour mix. Happy hour $8
Percy’s & Co., Seattle WA
The cocktails at Percy’s and Co. are pretty frickin’ amazing! They make all their tinctures, purees, and sour mix in house so they’re not your generic mixers. The combination of flavors in each cocktail tastes great and they’re all expertly made.
Herrick Helper: sage infused bourbon, grapefruit juice, house made sour mix and topped with soda and fresh sage. Happy hour $6
The Eagle, 1971, painted steel, Alexander Calder, Olympic Sculpture Park.
Haze on Howard: Belvedere Vodka, ginger liqueur, vermouth, blackberries, lime. $12
Town Hall, San Francisco CA
Oooo, I was excited to visit Town Hall for the first time since living in SF. I can’t believe I’d never been here before. These cocktails were pretty tasty. The Haze on Howard was refreshing and bright, while the Vieux Carre was on the stronger, harder side. The first time I had a Vieux Carre was at Jardiniere and since I’m totally loving whiskies these days, this is becoming a favorite of mine.
Vieux Carre: Inventeed by Walter Bergeron, The Carousel Bar, 1938. Redemption rye, Henessey, Dolin sweet vermouth, benedictine, peychaud and angostora bitters. $10
The Diane and Alfred Wilsey Court, de Young Museum.
Rosso di Sera: Bulleit, aperol, grenadine, lemon, egg white emulsion, mint sprig.
Figo, Palo Alto CA
We were killing time before meeting some friends for dinner so we slipped into Figo for a couple cocktails. These were well-made and I loved that they used huge, singular ice cubes. My kinda place!
Manhattan.
Los Gatos Creak Trail sign, Vasona Reservoir.
Pamplemousse Apertivo: Pamplemousse, aperol, lemon, sparkling wine, graprefruit bitters. $12
Jardiniere, San Francisco CA
The house cocktails at Jardiniere were really well made and delicious. I think my favorite is between the Vieux Carre and the Pamplemousse Apertivo. They’re very different from each other, but both had distinct flavor profiles and went down way too easily. 😉
Vieux Carre: Rittenhouse rye, Carpano, ‘Antica Formula’ sweet vermouth, Pierre Ferrand cognac, Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters. $12
Lexington (background): Buffalo Trace bourbon, gran classico, Cardamaro, cinnamon bitters. $12
You know I’m a sucker for the large solitary ice cube in cocktails. I think it’s really classy and it melts more slowly so your drink doesn’t get too watery. Mmm! $9
Padrecito, San Francisco CA
Crimson columbine (Aquilegia formosa, Ranunculaceae), Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
Rye, sparkling apple, maple syrup, bitters, lemon. $10
Padrecito, San Francisco CA
I like most of the specialty drinks at Padrecito. The bartenders seem to know what they’re doing and the drinks are creative and delicious.
San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor.
With Bulleit bourbon. $9.50
Oswald, Santa Cruz CA
Wow, this cocktail had SO much bitters in it – definitely not very balanced. That was my single major complaint about this place. There wasn’t a lot of finesse in making these standard cocktails.
Yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus, Fabaceae), Pigeon Point, Pescadero.
Vittle Monster 