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)

Whiskies of the World Expo in San Francisco: Reviews

Yes, the 12th Annual Whiskies of the World Expo has come and gone, but if you missed it this year, you can always catch it next year!  Check out some of these great reviews of the event, including the tastings:

The Casks' Review
Daily Feed: The Bunrab Blogspot Review
Drink Me: Lifestyle Beyond the Glass Review
The Whisky Wall Review
Drink Hacker Review
San Francisco Bay Guardian Review

Coming up next...new, local whiskey resources!

A baby later...and we're back!

I must admit that this blog started as my "baby," but I soon found out that I was going to have our first baby, and as you may have guessed, I decided it would be in his best interest to lay off the whiskey for the most part!  Well, time has passed, and we now have Mr. Jack Henry, and I am anxious to start writing for Sacramento Whiskey Drinkers again!  I figured that St. Patrick's Day (week) was a great time to start...so check back tomorrow for all of the local events that you can enjoy this upcoming week!

Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Tasting Summary

Sorry for the delay in posts...more on the whiskey tasting!  As you can see, the last post was simply the photos of the whiskey tasting event.  They say a picture's worth a thousand words, so I figured I didn't need to add text for that post.  However, I was going to give you a quick summary of the events of the evening.  The tasting started around 5:30pm, and Ed Kohl presented a great slideshow on what single malt whiskey is and it's complete distillation process from start to finish.  Of course, along the way, there was plenty of whiskey tasting and amazing appetizers, courtesy of Cafe Americain.  I have included a list below of the nine whiskeys that were offered that evening:

1. 1999 Auchenntoshan, Lowland 10 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
2. Edradour, Caledonia, S. Highland 12 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @92 Proof)
3. 1992 Strathmill, Speyside 16 Yr (Bottled @86 Proof)
4. 1990 Dalmore, N. Highland 18 Yr (Bottled @ 86 Proof)
5. Isle of Skye, Island 8 Yr (Bottled @ 86 Proof)
6. 1991 Highland Park, Island 17 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
7. 2001 Laphroaig, Islay 8 Yr (Bottled Un-Chillfiltered @ 92 Proof)
8. 1991 Glen Elgin, Speyside 15 Yr (Bottled Cask Strength @ 119.2 Proof)
9. Kilchoman "Inaugural Release" @ 92 Proof  (Review in the Malt Advocate)

The presentation itself was highly informative, and Ed introduced what may seem like an uncouth method of whiskey tasting - adding water to the whiskey!  The whiskeys were served in wine glasses (which he prefers), and in much the same way that a wine should be decanted, a good whiskey has spent many long years in a barrel, and needs to have the flavors "opened up." 

After tasting the first eight whiskeys listed above, Ed introduced Anthony Wills of Kilchoman, the first NEW distillery in Scotland in well over 100 years, which has been built from the ground up.  They follow the traditional approach to whiskey-making, growing all of their own barley on site (only distillery in Scotland to do that)!  Not only that, but they are creating amazing 3-year-old single malt scotches!  That's right...only three years old, and it already has a magnificent flavor, rich in peat and various other subtleties (#9 on the list).  It was hard to believe it was so young!  Look for Kilchoman to be released in the United States in Fall 2010!

Great night!  If you haven't done a whiskey tasting before, I highly recommend it!

Reminder: Whiskey Tasting and The Capitol's First Bohemian Ball Tomorrow!

This is just a quick reminder that the single malt scotch whiskey tasting hosted by Cafe Americain will take place tomorrow from 5-9pm!  There is a new write-up by the Sacramento Press on this event, the restaurant, and the Bohemian Ball to follow.

The Bohemian Ball, Masquerade, and Afterparty looks like it will be quite a unique event for the Sacramento area.  It takes place just downstairs (1023 Front Street "Booth Building," Old Sacramento, California, 95814 ) from the whiskey tasting and starts immediately afterward.  Here is the agenda and ticketing information in case you are interested in extending your evening into an all-night outing (although I personally plan to get some sleep):

MAIN STAGE: 

8pm-9pm DJ I-Self/DJ J-Dubz
9pm-9:10pm Sizzling Sirens
9:15pm-10:30pm DJ Cyril Noir
10:25pm - 10:30pm Black Kat Kabaret
10:40pm-10:45pm Dark Garden Fashion Show
10:50pm-12:20pm Jeff Stott (LIVE)
12:20am-1:20am DJ Rhythmystic

PATIO: 

9pm-10:30pm Tzar's feast
(organic royal food served buffet style)
9:20pm Simona firedance
9:25pm Shaune firedance
9:30pm-9:40 pm Obsidian Butterfly firedance
12:15am -12:35am Obsidian Butterfly Grand Finale

AFTERPARTY:

1am-1:10 am
Sizzling Sirens
1:10am - 2am DJ Cyril Noir
(1:30am Black Kat Kabaret)
2:10am-3:00 am DJ Rhythmystic
(2:30am-2:40am Fire eating and Bellydance by Leona)
3:10-4am DJ JDubz
4am-5am Ambient music set by DJ JDubz/ DJ ISelf

The Ball:

$25.00 advance, $30.00 at the door

Sultry - The AfterParty:

$10.00 advance, $15.00 at the door