Tag Archives: hot bartenders

Apr26

Flashback Friday: Vesper Bombs

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Vesper bombs

Vesper bombs

 

After hearing about Vesper Bombs for so long, it was great to actually be in Vegas during an epic Vesper Bombs session at Vesper. For $5, you get a shot of Fernet-Branca upturned in a glass of ginger beer. Pull the shot glass out and let it mix before downing the thing.

I was with a group of bartenders from around the country. The SF ones sniffed a bit about mixing the Fernet. The lore goes you drink the shot then chase it with ginger beer, but it’s never mixed. So in their eyes, this was an abomination (pun intended).

Ah well, it was still good.

Previous posts about Vesper Bar

Vesper Bar

Return to Vesper Bar

New Cocktails at Vesper Bar

© The Minty // LA Cocktails  2013

 

Apr2

Culver City: Bespoke Cocktails at Oldfield’s Liquor Bar

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The Delicious Sour

The Delicious Sour

Last year, I checked out Oldfield’s Liquor Bar and knew I had to return for a visit — and sit at the bar. And after I tasted Robin Jackson’s Auchentoshan Triple Threat punch, I knew I had to plant myself in front of her bar.

It’s funny because I had met a bar owner from Dallas at the 2011 Portland Cocktail Week and he texted me I needed to go meet Robin after he met her at last year’s Portland Cocktail Week (which sadly I couldn’t attend). It took me a while but I finally did meet her officially this evening when I visited Oldfield’s.

She asked what I wanted and I was in a mood for a sour. She came up with The Delicious Sour (applejack, peach liqueur, lime, egg white). And it was delicious. It was a nice way to ease into the evening after cocktails at Caulfield’s and the neighboring Bigfoot West.

Cigar Box

Cigar Box

Next I asked what she was working on. And then I noticed she had Amaro Braulio which is one of my new favorite amari. She gave me her Cigar Box (Black Grouse, Mezcal, Amaro Braulio, orange bitters). Black Grouse Scotch is smokier than Famous Grouse and if you don’t like the peaty stuff, this may not be for you. But I do like that smokiness and with a bit of mezcal, this was a serious drink. It was done old fashioned style.

Pisco Punch

Pisco Punch

To end, I went back to something lighter and asked for pisco. She made a pisco punch for one with her own pineapple gomme syrup.

Oldfield’s was just as loud this evening when I first went but somehow it was better sitting at the bar. It’s still my preferred way to explore the menu and cocktails at a cool bar.

Next time, I’ll just have to go earlier in the evening.

Oldfield’s Liquor Room

10899 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034 – 310-842-8066

© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013

Mar26

DTLA: Happy Hour at Rivera

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Jeremy Lake, The Minty Hot Bartender 2012

Jeremy Lake, The Minty Hot Bartender 2012

I recently discovered Rivera now has happy hour. When the restaurant first opened, they famously didn’t have discounted cocktails or food for the hungry office workers. They’re fairly close to LA Live, the Convention Center and Staples. I wouldn’t want to discount my food or booze either. Then Rivera started doing reverse happy hour and that seemed to work at catching the folks leaving the nearby entertainment.

Luckily they started happy hour about five months ago. It only took me that long to figure this out. I was looking at their lunch menu online (which hasn’t changed much) and noticed the happy hour menu. Say what? I was there that same week. Okay, it was a week later. But I have made it a semi-regular thing bringing in my coworkers. I needed to find a new happy hour/ after-work hang since I am not frequenting my other two haunts at the moment.

Beverage Director (and the Minty Hot Bartender 2012) Jeremy Lake along with Julian Cox put together the cocktails. The following is a mix of what’s currently available but catch these soon because they’re gearing up for Spring menus soon.

arepas with BBQ shrimp

arepas with BBQ shrimp

The food for happy hour includes stuffed olives, arepas with BBQ shrimp, a short ribs tamailii, the always delicious tortillas florales and more. All for $5 a pop. I’m currently obsessed with the arepas and tamalii (that’s how they spell it).

daiquiri

daiquiri

Happy hour cocktails include classics like daiquiri and Gold Rush. The Rivera’s Cup– a take on a Pimm’s cup is also very popular with tequila and cucumbers. There’s also a few beer and wine options.

tamalii short ribs

tamalii short ribs

Mushrooms add to the already great flavor of the tamalii short  ribs.

Saved by Basil

Saved by Basil

Saved by Basil is already off the list but I’m always curious about Dimmi based cocktails. The Italian grappa lends itself well to fruity concoctions. Plus, I love basil. My alter ego is The Basil.

La Ofrenda

La Ofrenda

On the regular cocktails list, La Ofrenda is one of my favorites with housemade blood orange chips and foam. The tequila based cocktail is a showy cocktail but still has a lot of substance to back it up. I was sitting at the bar before a Lakers game and so many people were intrigued by this drink. Sure, the Barbacoa and Blood Sugar Sex Magic are still probably the best sellers but I have a feeling La Ofrenda will go far. At least until the end of the blood orange season.

Autumn Sour

Autumn Sour

Whenever I want to go light, I ask for a sour. The Autumn Sour is a nice one.

Flor de Jerez

Flor de Jerez

I love that Rivera has a whole section of sherry cocktails right now. The Flor de Jerez is my pick at the moment.

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo

Rivera is probably known for its wide selection of tequilas but it also has a strong whiskey selection as well. Get classics like the Monte Carlo here.

Chet Baker

Chet Baker

Or if you like rum, the Chet Baker from the happy hour menu is also a deal.

Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardens

One of these days, I’ll have to put together my Manhattan Project post. I’ve been on a hunt trying all the different Manhattan variations. Carroll Gardens may not be as well-known as a Little Italy or a Red Hook but it has it’s place in my heart.

Rivera Restaurant

1050 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015-5100 – (213) 749-1460

© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013

Feb19

Speed Rack 2013 Coming to California: San Francisco & San Diego

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* photo from Speed Rack Boston, October 2012

* photo from Speed Rack Boston, October 2012

Speed Rack is coming back to Cali this weekend. First they make a stop in San Francisco on February 24 and then the all-female competition heads to San Diego March 3. Sadly they won’t be making a stop in LA this year so head on down to SD (or up to SF!).

SF Contenders:

  • Alica Walton – Elixir, Bloodhound, Momo’s, San Francisco
  • Allison Kate Webber – Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen, San Francisco
  • Ashley Curren – Rickhouse, San Francisco
  • Claire Sprouse – Tradition, San Francisco
  • Danielle Marchant – Monarch, San Francisco
  • Jen Ackrill – Rye, San Francisco
  • Jennifer Colliau – Slanted Door, San Francisco
  • Julie Thompson – Rye, San Francisco
  • Kate Bolton – Maven, San Francisco
  • Keli Rivers – Hotsy Totsy Club, San Francisco (Albany)
  • Kim Gooden – Tradition, San Francisco
  • Kim Rosselle – Flora/Fauna, Oakland
  • Lauren Steele – Hook & Ladder, Lowbrau, Sacramento
  • Leilani Vella – Nopa, Lolinda, Absinthe, San Francisco
  • Lucia Gonzales – Prizefighter, Oakland
  • Megan Silsbee – Nopa, San Francisco
  • Michaela Leah King – Cantina, San Francisco
  • Rhachel Shaw – Tradition, Local Edition, San Francisco
  • Victoria George – Rickhouse, AQ Restaurant & Bar, San Francisco
  • Vita Simone Strauss – Dogwood, The New Easy, Oakland

SD Contenders:

  • Amanda Gunderson – The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Los Angeles
  • Brent Falco – Cole’s, Los Angeles
  • Brittini Rae – Ink Restaurant, Los Angeles
  • Cameron Holloway – Quality Social, San Diego
  • Cari Hah – Neat and Coles, Los Angeles
  • Christine England – The Pikey Cafe, Los Angeles
  • Christy Spinella – Polite Provisions, San Diego
  • Courtney Lee Wilson – Williams & Graham, Denver
  • Devon Tarby – The Varnish, Los Angeles
  • Gabrielle Dion – Broadway by Amar Santana, Laguna Beach (Orange County)
  • Helen Diaz – Lolinda, San Francisco
  • Jennifer Lane Oakley – Black Market Liquor Bar, Waterloo & City, Los Angeles
  • Jillian Rae Webster – Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles
  • Kiowa Bryan – Eveleigh, Los Angeles
  • Lauren Trickett – Tantalum, Long Beach, CA
  • Meghan Balser – Seven Grand, San Diego
  • Melissa Durant – Green Russell / Old Major, Denver CO
  • Mia Mastroianni – Soho House West Hollywood, Los Angeles
  • Naomi Schimek – The Spare Room, Los Angeles
  • Sarah Ellis – Jayne’s Gastropub, San Diego
  • Sophie Gordon – El Dorado Cocktail Lounge, San Diego
  • Terrin A McFall – Wolfgang Puck MGM, Las Vegas
  • Taryn Dutton – Seven Grand, San Diego
judges

judges

Speed Rack is a cocktail competition with proceeds benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Each competitor makes cocktails for each of the four judges. The fastest to finish may not necessarily win the round. Judges may add points if the cocktail isn’t balanced, in the wrong glass, if it’s too warm, etc. Winners from each city will compete in the finals later this year.

SF Judges: Debbie Zachareas (Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant), Jacob Briars (Barcadi), Charlotte Voisey (William Grant & Sons) and Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove).

SD Judges: Erick Castro (Polite Provisions), Neyah White (Suntory Whiskey), Yael Vengroff (Miss Speed Rack 2012) and Simon Ford (The 86 Co.)

Fernet-Branca ice luge

Fernet-Branca ice luge

For your ticket cost — a measly $20 online, you can sample all you like from the participating sponsors:

Absolut vodka, Altos tequila, Barritt’s ginger beer, Beefeater gin, Benedictine, Brugal rum, Campari, Cherry Heering, Coffee Heering, Cointreau, Cutty Sark, Drambuie, Four Roses bourbon, Haus Alpenz, Hine cognac, Luxardo, Martini & Rossi, Perfect Puree, Perrier, Plymouth gin, St. Germain, Xante and more!

I’ll see you in San Diego!

3-7 PM, Sunday, February 24

The Chapel
777 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Get your SF tickets here

2-6 PM, Sunday, March 3

Voyeur
755 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Get your SD tickets here

* all photos from Speed Rack Boston, October 2012

Previous Speed Rack coverage on LA Cocktails & The Minty

Speed Rack 2011-12 Finals in NYC

Speed Rack Las Vegas Recap (2012)

Speed Rack Portland Recap (2011)

Speed Rack Los Angeles Recap (2012)

© The Minty // LA Cocktails  2013

Feb13

213 Day Today, Free Membership to Cana Rum Bar & Win a Trip to San Diego

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Tears of a Clown

Tears of a Clown

Today, February 13 marks the first 213 Day for the 213 Nightlife Bars – The Varnish, Seven Grand, Las Perlas, Caña Rum Bar, Casey’s, Cole’s, Broadway Bar, Golden Gopher, 4100 Bar, and Tony’s.

Everyone who goes to any of the 213 bars will receive a complimentary membership to Caña as well as a raffle ticket to win a trip to San Diego. The winner will receive train tickets to San Diego, hotel stay and drinks for two all night at Seven Grand San Diego.

Juniper Flats

Juniper Flats

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying the new drinks menu at Cana.

My faves so far are Tears of a Clown (Campari, Cocchi Americano, lime, maple-thyme syrup, fizz) and Juniper Flats (Tanqueray gin, Averna, lime, guava, canela). Both are simply delicious, easy drinking and thirst-quenching after a round of dancing with the new Thursday night music made more lively by DJ Anthony Valdez (KCRW).

Red Eye to Rio

Red Eye to Rio

I didn’t have a chance to inquire about the Red Eye to Rio (Leblon cachaca, lime, maple syrup, “that evil rum,” Peychaud’s bitters) as I was a bit busy. I should have asked what that evil rum was but maybe it’s a general observation about rum? Perhaps I’ll ask tonight during 213 Day!

Cana Rum Bar

714 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015 – (213) 745-7090

For all 213 bars locations, check out 213 Nightlife.

© The Minty // LA Cocktails  2013

Feb1

Los Feliz: Cocktailing at Big Bar

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Most Interesting Cocktail In the World by Matt Schaefer

 

I just got word Big Bar is rolling out their new cocktails soon. Hurry over to try these before these are gone.

Matt Schaefer isn’t at Big Bar anymore but he did leave behind the legacy of the curiously or maybe not so curiously named:

Most Interesting Cocktail in the World -Mezcal Vida, lime, cinnamon, chocolate chili bitters

I hope they keep this cocktail on the menu. As promised by the name, it is very interesting with a blend of smokey, tart and a dash of sweet to balance it out.

Bollywood Style! Prom at Big Bar on Valentine's Day, February 14

Bollywood Style! Prom at Big Bar on Valentine’s Day, February 14

 

If you don’t have any Valentine’s Day plans, Dan and Eugene at Big Bar invite you to their annual Prom shindig. This year’s theme is Bollywood. Expect some shenaningans.

 

Sal Paradise

Sal’s Paradise – Oro Torontele pisco, grapefruit, lime, honey, sour cherry bitters

Whenever I’m feeling like I should take it easy, I turn to my buddy pisco. At Big Bar, there’s an easy sipper called Sal’s Paradise that does the trick. But because it’s so easy to drink, expect this to go faster than a Manhattan or another stirred cocktail. Insert a lip smacking “ahhhh” here.

 

La Rosita

La Rosita – Partida reposado tequila, Campari, Dolin dry vermouth, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth

Do you love Negronis? I’ve been replacing the gin with other spirits and one of my favorites is a reposado tequila. This is a classic cocktail known as a La Rosita. I like that it uses both dry and sweet vermouth so it’s not entirely too cloying.

 

Selero Gin Fizz

Selero Gin Fizz

 

Selero Gin Fizz – Plymouth gin, Green Chartreuse, lime, celery, egg white

If I sat at Big Bar and counted up what was the most popular drink off the current menu, I would have to go with the Selero Gin Fizz. I finally tasted one earlier last month and I don’t know what took me so long to get around to it. It certainly has some of my favorite ingredients like Green Chartreuse and I love fizz drinks with egg whites (I also love flips and sours). This is a savory cocktail that would be great during brunch as well.

St. Anne’s Helper

St. Anne’s Helper – Eagle Rare 10-Year bourbon, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, Amaro Meletti, Forbidden bitters

My first love though are still brown, bitter, stirred drinks. And St. Anne’s Helper fits the bill perfectly. Plus it has one of my favorite amari, Amaro Meletti.

See you Valentine’s Day! Now I have to find a sari…

 

Big Bar at Alcove

1927 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027 — (323) 644-0100
 

© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013

Jan28

Recap: St. George Spirits at Harvard & Stone

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Andie for St. George Spirits

Andie for St. George Spirits

A few months back, I checked out the R&D bar at Harvard & Stone for St. George Spirits. St. George maven Andie Ferman was in town. After the fabulous distillery tour last summer, I am still a big supporter of the craft spirits brand.

Daily

Your Daily Value

After looking over the menu, I decided on Your Daily Value first.

Your Daily Value – St. George Bontanivore gin, lime, celery juice, dill, apple maple syrup, Miracle Mile “Damn You Matt Wallace” bitters, salt & pepper

I imagine if I ever went on a cleanse and had to juice every meal, it would sort of taste like this. Minus the booze. Or maybe with the booze. You can live on this vitamin-filled drink right? It has fresh juices! Well, I suppose you can say the same about a lot of the cocktails I drink. It was a good opening drink though with a slight savoriness. All the cocktails would actually be good to pair with food.

As a side note, Matt Wallace used to bartend at Harvard & Stone and I suppose he didn’t take his special bitters with him when he left. Good for the patrons of H&S!

rye

Dry Rye Thai Delight

 

Dry Rye Thai Delight – St. George Dry Rye gin, lime, Thai simple syrup, coconut milk

So I was reading the other day how most Asians got their calcium from things like fish bones. But coconut milk was used to impart creaminess to dishes. I think I rather get my calcium from broccoli while drinking something like the Drye Rye Thai Delight. I’m not overly fond of coconut but I like coconut milk. I wouldn’t have thought to put the Dry Rye gin with something sweet or even citrusy but Andie made me a believer.

monkey

Monkey Rides The Bear

 

Monkey Rides the Bear – St. George Terroir gin, pineapple juice, lemon, Small Hand Foods pineapple gum syrup, St. George Absinthe Verte

I’ve always had a problem picking just one thing. And St. George makes it harder to pick just one gin. It’s a good thing I like all three of them and got to try all three in a cocktail this night. If anyone thinks pineapple juice makes a drink girly, they have to try this one. The absinthe definitely pumps up the drink a lot, leaving just a hint of pineapple rather than just heavy-handed pineapple juice. Terroir gin has always been the most fascinating to me- I feel I can explain the bontanivore (herbal) and the dry rye (use like whiskey) but the terroir is just a classic gin to me. I tend to like this one in classic cocktails so I’m always happy to be introduced to it in new ways.

tiki

Taking Your Tiki

Taking Your Tiki – St. George Breaking & Entering bourbon, lemon, banana-brown sugar simple syrup, chai tea- soaked pineapple, Small Hands Foods orgeat, tiki bitters

I really like the trend of neo-tiki drinks where they are complex but not overly sweet. And a tiki drink without rum? I totally dug this Taking Your Tiki with the B&E bourbon. I’ve seen cocktail recipes call for banana — usually in a form of a liqueur and it seems to end in disaster. But banana has traditionally always worked with whiskey. Add some orgeat and now you have a neo-tiki cocktail worthy of the modern palate. Later this drink got a pineapple garnish which really made it more tiki-like. I could go for one of these on a hot summer day at the beach.

 

Is this what Trevor has on the menu tonight?

Is this what Trevor has on the menu tonight?

Another SF bartender takes over the R&D Bar at Harvard and Stone this week. Check out Trevor Easter with Beefeater and Plymouth gins tonight, January 28th. Trevor took over the English Gins ambassadorship from Erick Castro about 6 months ago and claims he’s rusty at bartending already. Let’s go see! And let’s hope there are no energy drinks involved.

 

St. George Spirits

Harvard & Stone

5221 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027-4908 - (323) 466-6063

© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013

Jan23

Las Vegas: The Hottest Cocktail Spots

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Even slightly close to the Cosmopolitan? Go to the Vesper!

Even slightly close to the Cosmopolitan? Go to the Vesper!

It’s not really a secret The Vesper at the Cosmopolitan is my favorite bar on the strip in Las Vegas. It’s pretty much like coming home.

Bangkok

One Night in Bangkok

It’s apparently been a while though since I looked at Vesper’s menu. I prefer to go off the cuff but bartender George Sproule said I should try some of the new cocktails. Quite a few looked attractive and I tried a couple including the One Night in Bangkok (Tanqueray Rangpur gin, ginger beer, cardamon, lime, coconut cream, kaffir leaves, egg whites). The Tanqueray is rangpur lime flavors — a sort of hybrid of mandarin orange and lime.

This was so delicious that my friend who tasted all my drinks this weekend asked for another sip. This fragrant and frothy concoction is probably something I’d sip at the end of a night at the bar.

Mulberry

The Mulberry

Next I tried The Mulberry (Baker’s bourbon, Nonino Quintessentia, DOM Benedictine, whiskey aged bitters, Creole bitters) which is generally my brown, bitter, stirred style. I liked it though I still love the Mayan more from their opening menu. Check out George in this video mixing the Mulberry.

My other picks from the menu would be:

#1 License – Laird’s applejack, La Gitana Manzanilla sherry, pear eau di vie, lemon juice, bitters

Fear & Loathing – St. George Terroir gin, Crema de Mezcal, maraschino, lemon, pineapple, cherry bark bitters

Corpse Bride – Bols Genever, Aperol, Solerno, absinthe ice sphere, lemon, strawberry-rhubarb syrup

rye

Redemption rye, Swedish Punsch, Citron Sauvage

I was at the Vesper three times my last trip so there are a few more cocktails to cover. George asked if I had tried the Bittermens Citron Sauvage yet which I haven’t. Bars are using the Citron Sauvage in place of orange curacao (Triple Sec). With the Redemption Rye and the Kronan Swedish Punsch, this cocktail was not as “old man drinks” like as my usual whiskey drinks. Tart, odd, different came to mind. None of it bad, of course. Actually, I liked it because it made you think about the drink a bit.

mezcal

Don Julio blanco, basil eau di vie, mezcal, absinthe

On my way out of Vegas, I hit up the Vesper for old time’s sake– er, sure, okay I was planning on an one & done sort of thing but we had some time to kill. We had just come from a great buffet lunch upstairs at the Wicked Spoon but I was saving my drinking for Vesper. I wanted some brunch cocktails.

Bloody with St. George Breaking & Entering Bourbon

Bloody with St. George Breaking & Entering Bourbon

First I asked George for something along the lines of a Bloody Mary but no vodka. He got to work and about 7 minutes later presented me with a Bloody with St. George Spirits Breaking and Entering bourbon. A guy sitting next to me was so fascinated by the use of Bitter End Memphis BBQ bitters and the amount of time it took to make the drink. “I think it took him half an hour!” No, really, it was more like 7 minutes. It was delicious of course with the right amounts of savoriness and piquancy.

Then I let George have at it with both tequila and mezcal. For good measure, there was also basil eau di vie and absinthe. Although it didn’t taste the same as the Scotch drink I had the night before, it reminded me of that wizardry.  I don’t have a great shot of it but imagine a brown, bitter, stirred drink with: Macallan, Talisker, Cocchi di Torino, Amer Picon, Fernet-Branca and Campari at Vesper. Luckily though I got the recipe.

Flying Scotsman

  • 1.5 Macallan
  • .5 Talisker
  • 1 cocchi di Torino
  • .5 Campari
  • dash Fernet-Branca
  • dash Amer Picon

Stir, strain, serve up and garnish with lemon twist.

Flying Dutchman

Flying Dutchman

The Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan

3708 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV 89109  –  (702) 698-7000

Clear jiggers at RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay

Clear jiggers at RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay

Over at RM Seafood at the Mandalay Bay, I’ve been hearing good things about the bar program where Nathan Greene (formerly of Vanguard) just took over. He says he’ll be rolling out a new menu at the end of this month. And for those in the know, he’ll also have a secret menu. Now you know.

1

gin & byrrh

I let Nathan have free reign over what I was going to drink and he gave me a cocktail of St. George Terroir gin, Byrrh, Drambuie 15, Dubonnet Rouge, Dolin Blanc, bitters, orange oil. The Drambuie 15, Dubonnet Rouge and Dolin Blanc is his custom blend he likes to use in cocktails. Normally I’m not a Drambuie sort of gal but the 15 is actually pretty good.

pisco & June

Pisco & June

Next I spotted June, one of my favorite liqueurs. I first had it in Seattle and haven’t seen it in LA yet. I don’t think it’ll be as popular as St. Germaine but it has a similar floral quality but it’s less sweet and cloying. This unnamed cocktail is pisco based. Nathan used Barsol pisco, Espirit de June liqueur, orgeat, lemon, orange blossom water and grapefruit bitters.

RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay

3930 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV 89119  —  (702) 632-9300
 
Herbs & Rye menu

Herbs & Rye menu

When I originally did research on cocktail bars in Las Vegas, I came across Herbs & Rye but never quite made it. Downtown Cocktail Room was the furthest off the Strip as I got.

Bijou

Bijou

I enjoyed reading through menu mentioning the different eras of cocktails. I usually get a house specialty but since we were at a table, I couldn’t talk to any of the bartenders. I ordered a classic cocktail, the Bijou (gin, Green Chartreuse, sweet vermouth) off the menu. It was very good.

Aviation

Aviation

Next, I decided to have an Aviation– made properly with both maraschino and creme de violette. I hadn’t had one in a while and felt like one. Like the Bijou, it was perfect. I ran into some (bar) industry folks as I was leaving and Herbs & Rye is definitely their hang out spot (like the Varnish in LA) but we were off to our next adventure.

Herbs & Rye

3713 W Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102  —  (702) 982-8036
 
Frankie's Tiki Room

Frankie’s Tiki Room

 I love a good tiki bar and had been dying to go to Frankie’s Tiki Room ever since I found out the designer also did the Tiki Room at Disneyland. Of course, they do say a bunch of respected tiki carvers contributed to the overall aesthetic to the bar.
mai tai

mai tai

Sadly, I think things have changed at Frankie’s. A local bartender in Vegas told me they stopped doing the fresh juices. My Mai Tai was way too sweet. I could not finish my drink and we left early. It would have been fun to just hang out if we were at the bar but the tiny carved wooden seats at the tables were well, tiny, carved wooden seats with the thread-bare cushions. They looked cool though.

 
Frankie’s Tiki Room
1712 W Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102  — (702) 385-3110
 
© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013
Jan17

Recap: Carpano Antica Awards Winners

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eva

Americano Royale

On December 10, 2012, Fratelli-Branca presented the Carpano Antica Awards. Bartenders in Southern California were invited to submit videos for various categories. The Imbiber Dan Dunn MC’d the show and notable bartenders and bloggers presented the awards.

Here are the categories and winners:

  • Best Use Of Carpano Antica in a Cocktail- Come Up With A Truly Unique Recipe


Nate Howell , Cusp La Jolla


  • Best Pour – Show Us Your Best Form And Skill


Joey Malone, Yael Vengroff, and Devon Tarby

  • Best Foreign Film – Feature An Italian Cocktail Or Theme From The Birthplace Of Fratelli-Branca…Italy!

Golden Eye  / Matty Gordon of Solace & the Moonlight Lounge (Encinatas – SD)

Loved that this was filmed at Copa d’Oro!

  • Best Look – Who Cares About The Drink, How Well Can You Dress?


Blind Barber  /Justin Fix

  • Best Use of Effects – Special, Sound or Visual, This Award Goes To The Best!


3rd Thursdays   /Alexander Liberman and Justin Lapriore

 

  • Il Meglio – Italian For “The Best”

Lee3 Productions

LA loves #laybacks!

DJ-Bartenders Steve and Dave

DJ-Bartenders Steve and Dave

The party was DJ’d by everyone’s favorite DJ-Bartenders, Steve Livigni and Dave Fernie.

Carpano Antica vase

Carpano Antica vase

Pretty classy vases at the Awards.

Host Dan Dunn

Host Dan Dunn

Dan Dunn kept the show rolling.

Lil' Twisted in the house

Lil’ Twisted in the house

Lil Twisted Jaymee Mandeville (Drago Centro) and Cari Hah (Neat, Cole’s) were some of the best dressed presenters and attendees. I loved their video too.

Presenters Aidan and Marcos

Presenters Aidan and Marcos

I thought some of the best presenters were Aidan Demerast (Neat) and Marcos Tello (1886, Bols Genever). Prior to the Awards, they alluded to not being prepared but that was just a sham.

Layback with the trophy

Layback with the trophy

Lee3 productions got my vote for best immediate use of their award with a layback. Yep, that trophy was an actual bottle of Carpano Antica mounted on a base with a plaque.

Here are some other videos I thought were great:

Fernet Stirrer Squad

Harvard & Stone talks Fernet and tats

Ram Soss

It’s pretty awesome this cocktail was invented generations ago for your family.

 

– edited to add the video recap from Carpano Antica

Fratelli Branca

Carpano Antica

and the amaro that seemed to have stolen the show… Fernet-Branca

 

© The Minty // LA Cocktails  2013

Jan15

Cocktail Highlights at The Eveleigh

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The Eveleigh

The Eveleigh

 

I recently stopped by WeHo cocktail hotspot, The Eveleigh. I’ve been a few times for events and a very special brunch but don’t often get a chance to just hang out.

Nice Pear

Nice Pear

 

After viewing the menu, I chose Nice Pear (rye, vermouth de Chambery dry, red anjou pears, toasted cardamon, lemon). I thought it was a great Fall cocktail, light and (too) easy sipper. We also had a great time checking out the new stuff from House Spirits.

Turkey Dinner

Turkey Dinner

 

Bartender Kiowa Bryan made me her signature Turkey Dinner (Wild Turkey, Cynar, cranberry, lemon). I’ll have to remember this drink the next time I’m at a stressful family dinner.

I hope to get back to Eveleigh soon for brunch soon. I still dream of those eggs and smashed avocado toast. Plus, a little birdie cat told me there are new brunch cocktails.

 

Eveleigh

8752 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 — (424) 239-1630
 
© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013