Liquor and Spirits

Drink of the Week: Getting Down and Derby with Milk Julep

The Kentucky Derby comes roaring into the final stretch this Saturday, kicking up roses and mint juleps as it makes its way around the track. The race may be about thoroughbreds and serve as the opening ceremony to the Triple Crown (followed by the races at Preakness and finally Belmont Stakes), but ... More >>

The Best Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Parties This Weekend

Cinco de Mayo: Hecho en San Francisco Where: CUESA Kitchen at the Ferry Building (south end, near Market Bar) When: Sun., May 5, 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Cost: $55, buy tickets online The Rundown: This weekend brings a host of opportunities to enjoy the good weather with celebrations for both the Kentucky D ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Honey Badger at Bluestem Doesn't Care If You Like It

Don't let the "brasserie" portion of the name fool you; the cuisine at Bluestem is all American. Named after the preferred grazing grass of cattle ranchers, the focus of the restaurant is decidedly on beef, with marrow, steaks, and tartar showcased on the menu. The bar incorporates a few of these Am ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Rastafari at Lark Creek Steak

I was enjoying lunch at Lark Creek Steak recently with a cowboy and a rastafari, and while you never would think that these two would get along so swell, there we were, having the best time. Did I mention that the cowboy was a hamburger and the rastafari was a cocktail? And no, don't worry, they wer ... More >>

Recovering From a Holiday Food Hangover

Almost as time-honored as the holiday feast is the holiday food hangover. We've spent the past few days -- well, the past month, if we're being honest about it -- eating and drinking whatever happened to come our way, culminating in an epic Christmas dinner last night. And though we certainly over-i ... More >>

Drink of the Week: Tennessee Margarita at Pican

The magic of cocktails is in the dramatic difference a seemingly minor change can produce. Take the basic sour for example: a combination of spirit, citrus, and sugar. Make it with lemon juice and vodka and you have a lemon drop. Mix it with gin and lime juice instead and you have a gimlet. Take out ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Black Pearl at E&O Asian Kitchen

When the E&O Trading Company was being relaunched as E&O Asian Kitchen this past summer with a complete remodel, refreshed menu by chef Arnold Eric Wong, and bar overhaul by bar manager Carlos Yturria, the whole thing made sense. Both worked together in similar roles at Baccar back in 2001, and Ytur ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Sixth Sense at SF Cocktail Week 2012

One of the great things about Cocktail Week is the visiting bartenders who bring not only bring their city's flavor, but also offer us a fresh view our cocktail identity. Tasked with coming up with a cocktail that represented San Francisco, Boston bar and beverage manager of Franklin Restaurant Grou ... More >>

Kegged Cocktails: Drinking out of the Tap

As much as people like to complain about the eccentricities of the craft cocktail bar -- the cost, the obscure and geeky ingredients, the wait times -- I find it hard to tease out the inconveniences from the allure. The theatrics are there to entertain as much as deliver carefully made beverages. Do ... More >>

Drink of the Week: Prado at Copita

The power of food to transport us with flavors and smells is what makes eating and drinking such a personal experience. It is what endeared me to the lively and cozy Copita Tequileria y Comida in Sausalito. Sitting at the bar takes me to the beaches of Jalisco, Mexico, where a yearly tradition with ... More >>

Marshmallow, PB&J, Bacon: The Extreme Vodka Taste Test

It has been 25-odd years since Absolut Peppar and Citron entered the American market, and since then, the flavored-vodka business keeps growing, now representing a quarter of the vodka market. Lemon, cranberry, grapefruit, pear, dragonfruit -- the entire fruit aisle is now being turned into 'tinis. ... More >>

Number 19: None But the Brave at Heaven's Dog

SFoodie's countdown of our favorite 50 things to eat and drink, 2012 edition ​The tale of Trevor Easter's version of the None but the Brave at Heaven's Dog has all the intrigue of a pulp novel: mistaken identity, poisoning, bootlegging, and a happy, delicious ending. The cocktail first attracted ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Smokin' Hops at the Burritt Room

Now open with a dramatic new dining room (who knew there was so much space?), the Burritt Room bar is mostly like you remember it. Some light refinishing, new sound system, much improved bathrooms, and high tables by the entrance enhance the space, but not as much as the cocktails by Josh Trabulsi a ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Elk's Own at Heaven's Dog

Drink of the Week: Sparrows in the City

​Head bartender Brian Means' new cocktail menu at the Fifth Floor offers some interesting and elegant choices. The Commodore ($13, Clement Martinique Rhum, blackstrap gastrique, lime, ginger ale) comes with a separate spherized cocktail (saffron gin, Campari, lavender syrup, lemon) sprinkled ... More >>

Drink of the Week: House Cappuccino at Tosca

Sometimes you can get so swept up in the excitement of visiting the latest spot or discovering a talented new bartender that you forget about the old-school places still making  San Francisco classics. Sitting at the beautiful polished-wood paneled bar at Tosca, which is capped at each end with ... More >>

Drink of the Week: The Brandy Lift at The Slanted Door

​There aren't a lot of milk cocktails that I associate being refreshing and extremely drinkable; for me, the thought usually conjures up memories of past experiences with sweet and heavy dessert or brunch style drinks. Like many things in life, the second you make up your mind, along comes a cockt ... More >>

Jupiter Olympus: Cocktails from the Crypt

Lou BustamanteA selection of drinks from the last Jupiter Olympus​Where: Acme Bar, 2115 San Pablo (at Addison), Berkeley, (510) 644-2226 When: Sun., Oct. 30, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Cost: $10 per cocktail; 21 and over The rundown: Jupiter Olympus, the innovative cocktail pop-up project by barmen Mor ... More >>

Cocktail Events to Make Tuesday Feel Like Friday

NYC Bartender Ivy Mix​ Tuesday isn't a traditional day for partying it up, but with a couple of great sounding events tonight you might want to practice your excuse for calling in sick tomorrow. Guest Bartender Night: Ivy Mix from NYC's Clover Club and Lani Kai When: Beretta on Tues., Oct. 25, ... More >>

Mission: Battleship Puts the 'Eat' in Fleet Week

Where: S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Pier 45, Embarcadero (at Taylor) When: Thurs., Oct. 6th, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Cost: $30 online; 21 and over. Food and drink not included in entry price. The rundown: Fleet Week docks in San Francisco and kicking the party off like a bottle of champagne on a new ship is Mis ... More >>

WhiskyWeek Whets your Thirst for WhiskyFest

WhiskyWeek, the five days leading up to WhiskyFest, could be mistaken for a warm up to the grand whisk(e)y tasting event on Friday, but for us, it offers some of the most varied and interesting whisk(e)y related events of the year. They're especially enjoyable if you aren't attending the grand tasti ... More >>

Cocktail Week Events for Friday, Sept. 23

Lou BustamanteSteven Liles shakes it up at Best of the West​Last night's Best of the West event had some great cocktail surprises, including a smoked peach and Bourbon cocktail from Chris Dooley of Ella (Sacramento). The only misstep was that this event and the East Bay Showdown were at the e ... More >>

Crusta, a Bittersweet Cocktail at Som Bar

Tamara Palmer​The Crusta is a lovely choice when you seek something both bitter and sweet that packs a huge punch in a tiny glass, a mix of Bulleit rye, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, Royal Combier, lemon juice, and a dash of Fee Brothers bitters. The rye and the Royal Combier (which contains cog ... More >>

S.F., City of Throwdowns

eeetthaannn/FlickrDistillery 209's arsenal of botanicals.​Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days San Francisco finds itself the home of some mighty challenges over the next few days. Besides the emotionally charged series against the Dodgers starting this evening, two a couple of cocktail challenges ens ... More >>

Japan Benefit Highlights the Highball

Umamimart​The Gift Of Food: A Benefit for Japan Where: Burritt Room at the Crescent Hotel, 417 Stockton (at Sutter), 400-0500 When: Tue., April 5, 8.p.m -1 a.m. Cost: $40 in advance, $45 at the door; proceeds benefit Second Harvest Japan The rundown: Umamimart, the food blog founded by l ... More >>

Drinking Japanese at Beretta

daisuke iida/Flickr​Cocktails for Japan Where: Beretta, 1199 Valencia (at 23rd St.), 695-1199 When: Now through Fri., April 15 Cost: $11-$15 per drink The rundown: Beretta bar manager Ryan Fitzgerald is featuring three drinks that pack a humanitarian buzz along with the regular kind. Proce ... More >>

Bourbon 101 at the Boothby

dansays/Flickr​Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge Where: The Boothby Center for the Beverage Arts, 1161 Mission (at Eighth St.), Ste. 120 When: Thu., Jan. 27, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $35 The rundown: Jim Rutledge, a 40-year veteran in the bourbon business ― the past 16 as master distiller a ... More >>

Smuggler's Cove Postpones (and Clones) Panamanian Rum Event

Amelia R./YelpYou've now got two chances to meet Abuelo master distiller Ricardo Henriquez at Smuggler's.​The Abuelo rum event at Smuggler's Cove that we previewed yesterday? Postponed till February, though now there are two opportunities to meet master distiller Richardo Henriquez and taste h ... More >>

Three Artisanal Spirits We're Hoping Santa Brings

Annie JessemanSt. George's latest batch of single malt whisky is its best yet.​Cocktails and hot drinks rule the holiday season, but there's something just as festive, not to mention warming: a glass of a special brandy or whiskey. The Bay Area's expanding roster of artisanal spirits producers ... More >>

Drink Small at Tonight's Indy Spirits Expo

Andrew St. Clair/FlickrA big selection of small-batch spirits awaits.​Tonight Mighty hosts this year's Independent Spirits Expo, where distillers and spirits companies get together for a grand tasting. Local favorites include Square One, Charbay, Old World Spirits, St. George Spirits, Craft Di ... More >>

Giants Cocktails Are Popping Up All Over Town. Here Are Four We Like

AmeAme's Giants Sweet Finish: White rum, orange juice, lime juice, black strap rum.​A few local restaurants and bars are helping patrons get into the Giants vs. Phillies spirit this week. Among the many being shaken up all over town is Ame's optimistic Giants Sweet Finish blends white rum, ora ... More >>

At Spoonbar in Healdsburg, Scott Beattie Riffs on Classic Warm-Weather Cocktails

Lou BustamanteAt Spoonbar, ex-Cyrus barman Scott Beattie has a simpler, more refined focus on classic cocktails.​On a recent fog-soaked day in the city, the promise of sunshine lured us north to the warmth of Healdsburg, Yountville's counterpart as a showcase of Sonoma County's best food and d ... More >>

Liqueur de Violettes, a Rockin' Tipple from Tempus Fugit

Tamara Palmer​Now, we're far from a spirits expert, but we did know that Tempus Fugit is a rock star in that world. We learned this via an interview last year with the incomparable Marilyn Manson, in which he informed us that Mansinthe, his very own brand of absinthe, was a collaboration with ... More >>

Fish House Punch, a Nautical Cocktail at Waterbar

Tamara PalmerDrink like a fish.​For fans of sugared "girlie" drinks, Waterbar's Fish House Punch works with both a luxe plate of chilled Maine lobster and the buck oysters of happy hour. A cocktail of Sailor Jerry Rum, Park VSOP, crème de pèche, and lemon mimics the pleasing sweetness of che ... More >>

15 Romolo's Amazona: A Hint of Brazil in North Beach

T. PalmerWear your Havaianas.​15 Romolo is known for its upscale carnival eating and good, strong drinks. It's perfect weather for drinking exotic. The Amazona (Sagatiba Velha cachaça, coconut milk, ginger, lime, Angostura bitters, and nutmeg) skews Brazilian, with a present-danger air of ext ... More >>

A Shot and a Strip: Bacon and Bourbon Happy Hour at KoKo's

Classy. And dirty.​KoKo's co-owner Christopher Keith sums it up in two words: dive chic. The Tunnel Top alums who opened KoKo almost two years ago have just as much enthusiasm for special cocktail offers as they do for so-trashy-you-gotta-love-'em deals like the Bang Bang, a happy hour shot of ... More >>

Mayes Oyster House wraps seafood in a new package

Sweet Beat: BonBonBar's Pumpkin Pie Bar

T. Palmer​After moving back to the Bay Area from Los Angeles, Nina Wanat relaunched her confections company BonBonBar in October. Wanat is a graduate of CIA's baking and pastry program in Napa, a course she switched to after attending law school at U.C. Davis and being tempted into the culinary wo ... More >>

Drink of the Week: Soluna's Sage Runner

T. Palmer​We're not a fan of burning sage, but the Sage Runner cocktail at Soluna (272 McAllister at Larkin) has opened our minds to the idea of it floating in our adult beverage. Here it is an uplifting foil for a mix of Appleton's Estate Extra 12 Year Old (oak-aged Jamaican rum) and Bärenjäg ... More >>

Coda gives us all that jazz, and food too

Meet Delilah, the Martini's Citrusy Sister

j | Wiltshire/FlickrHendricks gin gives a Delilah a hint of botanical snark.​While we love our martinis (especially when they're concocted of Hendricks gin and half a capful of vermouth over a pound or so of cracked ice, anchovy-stuffed olives on the side), they skirt the limits of predictabil ... More >>

Snacktion: Candycap Mushroom Cheesecake from San Francisco Cheesequake

Name: Candycap Mushroom Cheesecake with Pecan Shortbread CrustBrand: San Francisco CheesequakeOrigin: San FranciscoFound at: Blue Fog Market (2794 California at Divisadero)Cost: $9.99Ingredients: Cream cheese, sugar, golden brown sugar, flour, butter, whole fresh eggs, pecans, candycap mushrooms, bo ... More >>

Sexy Dishes Week Specials

Today through Friday is TasteTV's "Sexy Dishes Week" in the Bay Area, a celebration of the release of the book Sexy Dishes that contains profiles of hot local chefs and their recipes. Several establishments are offering specials based on or inspired by their chef's recipe(s) in the book. Announced s ... More >>

Lake Tahoe: From Alpine Anaheim to Temple of Cutting-Edge Cal Cuisine

By Matthew Stafford The first time I headed up to Lake Tahoe a decade or so ago, I figured the place would be lined with rustic, pine-timbered ski lodges where grizzled mountain men grilled trout fresh from the lake and served it on a plank with a few huckleberries and a mug of hard cider. Imagine ... More >>

Cocktails for the Convention

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Tequila Ph.D. From Tommy's Mexican Restaurant

Shanghai Express

Don't Delay, Act Now