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
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.
A Taste of Yauatcha menu £28.88 for 2 people
Yauatcha, London ENGLAND
These were more your typical dim sum dumpling items so this steam tray was more familiar than the others (and maybe a little more boring). The two kinds of dumplings were actually really good though. The har gow is a tried and true standard. I’m not completely sure what all was in the fen guo dumpling, but I would guess it was a mixture of pork, shrimp, garlic chives, mushrooms and peanuts.
Golden aster martini: Buffalo Trace bourbon, Antica forumula sweet vermouth, Aperol, saffron, lemon and chilli syrup. £9.80
Aged Vesper martini: Tanqueray No. Ten gin, Belvedere vodka and Lillet Blanc vermouth. £9.90
These cocktails were nicely made and delicious!
Oxford Circus with cute London cabs.
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.
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.
With Bulleit bourbon. We came here randomly one evening and it was pretty dead. The lady bartender was REALLY nice and accommodating though and she did a good job on the Manhattans. We had arrived pretty early so towards the end of our visit the nightly DJ had begun setting up his station. Playing a few games of pool was fun, but their table was on a slant so the balls never really did want you wanted them to do.
The Blue Lounge, Santa Cruz CA
Train tracks toward the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Bourbon whiskey, vermouth, bitters. $8
Mission Bowling Club, San Francisco CA
I think Manhattans go with any food! Maybe that’s the alcoholic in me postulating that, hehe.
Benjamin Franklin statue, Washington Square Park.
Caiprinha: top shelp cachaca and fresh lime. $10
Manhattan: bourbon, vermouth, bitters. $9
Bossa Nova, San Francisco CA
I love caipirinhas because they’re so light and refreshing (just like Brazilians I guess)! Bossa Nova makes some pretty good caipirinhas but I’m always a little surprised how much they cost here. I’m not sure I’m convinced that they deserve this price point.
Purple cherry blossom mural, Potrero Hill.
Classic cocktail with Bulleit rye, sweet vermouth, absinthe, bitters. $10
Mission Bowling Club, San Francisco CA
Hmm, I love Manhattans but the addition of absinthe is hit or miss for me. This drink was too absinthe-y for my taste so I thought the cocktail was just ok.
Colorful prism/ocean mural, The Mission.
Vittle Monster 