Week 11: Red Hook at Cole's Red Car Bar (Los Angeles)

Rye, Punt e Mes red vermouth, and maraschino

Rye whiskey continues to have quite the revival.  Make sure you have this cocktail while you can (Rye shortage article).  If you ever find yourself in downtown Los Angeles, I highly recommend going to Cole's for a french dip and cocktail as a mid-day treat. If you are there later in the evening, a speakeasy bar named The Varnish opens in the back of the restaurant (brought to you by the people behind NY's Milk & Honey).

Week 10: A cocktail with no name at Comstock Saloon

I ordered the "Barkeep's Whimsy" at Comstock last night leaving my fate in the hands of the bartender.  The drink he served me did not have a name and consisted of: bourbon, orange curacao, and orange bitters.

The cocktail with no name

Note: My buddy Matt, who has accompanied me during the last 2 weeks of my cocktail mission, also ordered the Barkeep's Whimsy and was served a modified version of the New Orlean's cocktail The Ninth Ward: Bulleit bourbon, St. Germain, Velvet Falernum, grapefruit juice, and Peychaud's bitters. Despite my allergy to citrus, I definitely had order envy.

Week 9 : Great Pumpkin Fizz at the Burritt Room

Aged rum, Velvet Falernum, cream, egg white, lemon juice, maple pumpkin butter, old fashioned bitters

If Autumn was a beverage, it would be the Great Pumpkin Fizz.

Week 8: 21 Hayes at Absinthe

Damrak Gin muddled with cucumber, a splash of Pimm’s No. 1, lemon-lime and simple syrup

The cocktail was created to provide relief to riders of Muni's 21 bus; I strongly believe that it never fails.  I think of the cocktail as a more virile version of the Pimm's Cup, but just as delicious.