Sac Mag - Drink Up!: Part II

This is Part II of the cover story ("Drink Up!") from the April 2011 Sacramento Magazine (www.sacmag.com).  It featured 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.  Part I of this blog series covered swanky sipping, faux speakeasies, and lounge acts; Part II will cover new on the scene, a break from tradition, comfort zones, and expect the unexpected.

New On The Scene: 

The Press Bistro and Bar.  Bartenders: Scott Martin and Jordan Anderson.  Serves: seasonal menu with Mediterranean flavors and food-friendly cocktails.  Drinks to Try: Italian Lemonade (Citron vodka, Campari, lemon juice, and agave nectar) Hemingway (thyme simple syrup, rum, blood orange juice, and limoncello), and Spiced Pear Martini (spiced pear vodka, fresh-squeezed orange and lemon juices, muddled pear and balsamic reduction with a fresh-ground nutmeg and sugar rim).

Dive Bar.  Serves: compelling combinations made from scratch with fresh ingredients.  Drink to Try: Holy Mackerel (reposado tequila, ginger liqueur, mango, Tabasco, Thai basil, lime juice, and house-made simple syrup).

Kupros Bistro.  Executive Chef: Matthew Robinson.  Serves: a "Cheers"-esque friendly atmosphere.  Drink to Try: Kentucky Lemon Drop (bourbon, Cointreau, and fresh lemon).

A Break From Tradition:

Zocalo.  Beverage Director: Joe Anthony Savala.  Serves: Mexican fare, made-by-hand margaritas with fresh-squeezed limes, muddled seasonal fruits and quality Latin spirits.  Drink to Try: The Oaxacan Old-Fashioned (muddled orange peel, agave nectar, angostura bitters, anejo tequila, and mezcal).

Red Lotus Kitchen and Bar.  Bar Manager: Mark Neuhauser.  Serves: classic drink recipes with original taste combinations, unique dishes, and "impossible" drink combos.  Drink to Try: The Old-Fashioned (Jim Beam Black bourbon, simple syrup and angostura bitters served over hand-carved ice blocks, and garnished with a flamed orange peel).

Comfort Zones:

Bandera.  Serves: Straightforward, well-made drinks, efficient bartenders, upscale-casual vibe.  Drinks to Try: Basil Sidecar and Pimm's Cup.

Sienna.  Serves: contemporary comfort food in El Dorado Hills.  Drink to Try: Watermelon-And-Basil Martini (watermelon, basil, vodka, and lime juice).

Tazzina Bistro and Vintage Lounge.  Serves: house-specialty cocktails and tried-and-true classics in downtown Woodland.  Drink to Try: Sazerac.

Ten 22.  Serves: a relaxing patio in Old Sac and a ginger-and-fig cocktail in the fall.  Drink to Try: Bloody Mary with a spicy housemade mix and crispy bacon garnish.

Expect The Unexpected:

The Golden Bear.  Bartender: Russell Eastman.  Serves: revamped classic drinks for a modern audience using old recipe books and his creative processes.  Drink to Try: Bee's Knees (gin, fresh lemon juice, honey, Yellow Chartreuse, and grapefruit bitters).

Socal's Tavern.  Bartender: John Huerta.  Serves: sensible drinks by a 15-year veteran and devoted reader of cocktail columns in the San Francisco Chronicle.  Drinks to Try: Manhattans, Vodka Collinses, and fresh Strawberry Daiquiris.


So there you have it!  Get out and try a new bar, restaurant, or drink!  Coming later this summer: Midtown Cocktail Week! (Aug 15-21)

Welcome Sacramento Whiskey Lovers!

I have been scouring the Internet for local distilleries and whiskey forums, but I have noticed a severe shortage in both for the Sacramento area. I'll briefly share with you what I did find (upon a preliminary search), and perhaps you all can educate me further about the Sacramento whiskey-drinking sub-culture. My goal is to develop this blog into a forum of interaction where local whiskey drinkers can share their love for distilling, drinking, and discussing all things "whiskey."

Preliminary findings: First, there are the Whiskey Hills Lofts at 1818 22nd Street, Sacramento. As the name implies, these are properties...and there aren't any moonshining activities going on there that I have been made aware of. Second, there is the Wild Whiskey Saloon, which from all apparent accounts was a half-rate bar/club, which is no longer in operation (the number was disconnected when I called). Apparently they had a decent whiskey list, but not a very inviting atmosphere for the average whiskey drinker. Most Yelp bloggers out there didn't have a very high opinion of the establishment either. Third, a search for "distillery" in Sacramento, yields a hit on an establishment called "The Distillery" at 2107 L Street, Sacramento. I looked around to see if they had a website, but only found their myspace page, which made them look like more of a local band venue than anything else. I called them and found out that they "have a full bar," however they have never distilled their own whiskey. I was informed by a nice gentleman there that they simply thought it was a "cool name" about 30 years ago. When I inquired about how many whiskeys they had on their menu, they replied, "Not many." However, to their credit, they do seem to have about 3.5 stars out of 5 from their patrons. For my own purposes though, it seems that I had hit another dead end.

From what I can tell, the nearest distillery is the Hawj Brothers Distillery at 1100 Garden Highway, Yuba City (about 40 miles north of Sacramento). Beyond that, you'd have to head to San Francisco for distilleries such as Distillery No. 209 (401 Terry Francois Blvd., Pier 50 Shed B, between 3rd St & Pier 48) or Anchor Distilling/Brewing Company (1705 Mariposa Street, corner De Haro). And this is where you all come in...

It's about time that Sacramento's local whiskey lovers united. Share your favorite whiskey (or sub-variety thereof), whiskey-making recipes, local connections to distillers, etc. Let's build this network and see where it goes. I know you're out there...