Hop on over to Ray’s and Stark Bar at LACMA because spring has sprung and there are new cocktails to try. The warmer season brings a touch of lightness to the cocktails, making it easy to enjoy a few on the patio. One of the new ones I liked was Sommelier and Bar Smith Paul Sanguinetti’s riff on a pisco sour. With Oro Pisco, fresh local kiwi, lime and egg white the Dragon Sour would be a tasty opening cocktail to enjoy with the oysters or would go nicely with the charcuterie or cheese.

 

If you want something with a bit of a wallop, go for the Peachs ‘N’ Herb. Made with Mezcal Vida, local peach honey, lime and sage that is picked from the garden at Ray’s, it’s also an ideal sipping cocktail. Most people proclaimed it their favorite upon tasting.

My taste runs towards brown, bitter and stirred so the Dirty Harry (Famous Grouse, Scotch, Mezcal Vida, Fernet Branca, orange bitters) was more my style. Here’s the recipe:

 

• 1 oz Famous Grouse Scotch
• 1 oz Mezcal Vida
• 3/4 oz Fernet Branca
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Combine with ice, stir, strain and serve up.

 

 

Even with simple drinks like a rum and coke, Stark Bar has created their version of the Cubano Libre with Matusalem Classico Domincan Rum, Smoked piooncillo sugar, barrel aged bitters and Mexican Coke.

Another favorite was the Rose Wishes and Lavender Dreams, a play on the famous closing from Robin Leach– “Champage Wishes and Cavier Dreams.”

This cocktail might possibly be the 12 Noon cocktail of choice from the imbibers who lunch at Ray’s and Stark. Made with gin, Chanteau L’Afrique Cotes De Provence Rose, St. Germain, lavender syrup and lemon, this would go well with food. Forget red wine, I’d have this drink with lamb.

I’ll have to return to try the other new drinks on the menu. I’m particularly interested in the Original Swizzle (Mezcal Vida, Campari, maraschino, fino sherry, agave, lemon), Blacklisted (Old Overholt rye, blackberries, honey, lemon),  and Miracle 8 Mile (Bourbon, Meletti, orange peel).

 

Find these and more on the menu as well as some from the Winter cocktails list.

Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA

5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 – (323) 857-6180

 

Other Ray’s & Stark Bar posts on The Minty

 

Winter Cocktails

 

Dining at Ray’s

 

 

 

© The Minty // LACocktails.com 2012