Sac Mag - Drink Up!: Part I

The Sacramento Magazine (www.sacmag.com) from April 2011 has a cover story called "Drink Up!"  It features the top 10 cocktails and where to get them in Sacramento in addition to some of the top restaurants and bars serving up some quality, creative spirits.  The first article begins, "In bars and restaurants across the Sacramento region, a liquid revolution is taking place."  It goes on to highlight stand-out bars and restaurants in seven categories: swanky sipping, faux speakeasies, lounge acts, new on the scene, a break from tradition, comfort zones, and expect the unexpected.  I will briefly list the restaurants/bars highlighted under each category and what they feature, and you can check out their websites for yourself to see if there is a new place you should check out!  This is Part I...

Swanky Sipping: 

Grange Restaurant and Bar.  Bartender: Ryan Seng.  Serves: local, seasonal food and drink, housemade ingredients.  Drink to Try: The Scratch Manhattan (house-blended bourbon and seasonal vermouth).

Ella Dining Room and Bar.  Manager: Rene Dominguez.  Serves: White Linen (manager has become famous for this drink - Leopold Bros., American Small Batch gin, St-Germain elder-flower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and muddled English cucumbers). Additional Drink to Try: The International (Johnny Drum bourbon, Dolin Rouge sweet vermouth, Bonal and Cocchi Americano.

Hawks Restaurant.  Executive Chef: Molly Hawks.  Serves: cocktails with fresh-squeezed juices.  Drink to Try: Bronx Cocktail (Plymouth gin, sweet and dry vermouths and orange juice).

Mulvaney's Building and Loan.  Bartender: Dan Mitchell.  Serves: fun and locally sources ingredients.  Drink to Try: Negroni made from seasonal blood oranges.

Faux Speakeasies:

Shady Lady Saloon.  Co-Owner: Jason Boggs.  Serves: Prohibition-style bar, craft cocktails, superb bartenders, classics like Negroni, The Sidecar, and Planter's Punch.  Drink to Try: The Martinez (Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and orange peel).

Crescent Club.  Serves: a rustic basement venue and a classic, "old-school" cocktail list.

Lounge Acts:

Lounge on 20.  Serves: talented bartenders and Silent Night (Blackberry gin, creme de violette, sage, and lemon juice).  Additional Drink to Try: The Bella Fragola (Vodka, fresh strawberry puree, lemon juice, simple syrup, and basil).


L Wine Lounge and Urban Kitchen.  Bartender: Chris Tucker.  Serves: Local, seasonal ingredients, heirloom tomato Bloody Mary in the summer and Tucker's 12 Days of Toddies in the winter.  Additional Drink to Try: La Fresa (Blanco 100% agave tequila, housemade strawberry shrub, lime juice with chile de arbol and sea salt rim, and arugula garnish).

MIX Downtown.  Serves: spacious patio and quality beverages.  Drinks to Try: Lemongrass Cooler and the Ginger Litchi Collins.

Pause Lounge and Kitchen.  Bar Director: Chris Dooley.  Serves: Boutique spirits with a farm-to-table approach and drinks from scratch.  Drink to Try: The Bouve (Genever, Cocchi Americano, Meyer lemon-infused honey syrup, and seltzer).

Part II to come soon!  In the meantime, you can also check out Sacramento Magazine's "2010 Best of Sacramento" for all kinds of best-ofs around town!