Photo: Brad Japhe

For almost a decade now, John Colins (138 Minna Street) has stood apart as one of the hippest bars in San Francisco’s traditionally white-collar Financial District. Boasting an inventive, ever-evolving drink menu, rowdy crowds and gut-thumping live music, it certainly brings action to a neighborhood that hasn’t always been known for its nightlife. But when SF bartenders John O’ Guiffre and Colin O’Malley teamed up in 2005, they brought years of indelible expertise into their joint venture and the hordes of loyal patrons that line up nightly along the sidewalks of the nondescript Minna alleyway are a testament to the bar’s continued success.

Yet for a true sampling of what this unique watering hole has to offer, there is perhaps no better day of the week to amble on over than Thursday Nights—an evening dedicated to an all out art free-for-all: live bands, DJs, painters, jewelers, Tarot-readers, and designers are all on hand hammering out an unforgettable flow of creativity.

But of course nothing get’s the juices flowing like some lively libations and John Colins is certainly in no short supply. Sure, you could order beer on draft or even a shot or two. However, it’s the creative cocktails that will keep you coming back for more. From their spectacularly spicy Beso De La Muerte–mixed around a Habanero-infused tequila, to a signature JC Mai Tai served with a Kraken Rum Floater, you’re not just going to get a great-tasting drink, you’re gonna get tipsy…fast.

Soon thereafter you’re going to feel compelled to move your feet to the funky-ass rhythms emanating from the small stage at the end of the bar. This is a perfectly normal reaction and you shouldn’t resist the urge. With invigorating concoctions like the Cotton Candy -flavored Snow Job, or the fresh-basil, all-ginned gimlet, Thursday nights in the financial district has got a bit more swing than you may have realized.

Photo: Brad Japhe

The aptly-named Kentucky Fat uses a special infusion of Bulleit bourbon—one of my personal favorites—combining it with unusual bedfellows: Goji berry liqueur, Antica Formula sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters doused in pure bacon fat. Let’s consider that last component for a moment. In order to lace the bitters with the smoky-goodness of cooked pig, the staff at Bourbon Steak steep the bitters in heated bacon fat and then wait for it to solidify. After, they simply scrape off the congealed lard, and voila: the precious gift of bitters, enhanced with a profoundly robust explosion of pork. If this process doesn’t sound like pure magic, clearly there is something seriously wrong with you, and I’m not sure that we can be friends.

One taste of this inventive cocktail, however, and I’m sure that you’ll be great friends. There is a layered complexity to the flavors, as the sweetness of orange zest, Goji, and vermouth crosses your palate before giving way to the deeper, darker intensity of bacon-laced bitters. The end result is a surprisingly well-balanced drink that has the general aura of a classic Manhattan, but arriving there through an unctuously alternative path.

The Kentucky Fat is on special for the month as part of a celebration in honor of National Hamburger Month. For the remainder of May, you can enjoy this unique, fat-speckled spirit with a trio of succulent sliders for just $20. Burgers, bacon, bourbon? I love this country.

MOM-osa

• 1 oz Frangelico
• 1 oz passion fruit juice
• Champagne or sparkling wine top

 Combine Frangelico liqueur and passion fruit juice in a shaker, add ice and pour into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine or champagne.

 (as another option to straight juice you can use “Cascal” which is a great tropical fermented soda available at Wholefoods nationwide)

Cityhouse in San Francisco’s scenic Parc 55 Hotel (55 Cyril Magnin Street) is serving up a specialty cocktail this weekend that is—as they say—sweet and a little bit nutty, just like Mom.

Mommy Dearest

• 1 ¼ oz Frangelico
• 1 ¼ oz pomegranate liqueur

Stir over ice and pour over ice in rocks glass.

The following recipe comes courtesy of Level III (500 Post Street), a hip and modern cocktail lounge in the heart of San Francisco’s photogenic Nob Hill neighborhood:

Mama’s Little Helper

• 1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
• 1 oz Grapefruit Juice

Top with Champagne, serve in a flute.

The Macallan is the second biggest selling single malt by volume (behind Glenlivet).  They will be sampling a variety of whiskeys at the San Francisco event, held May 8 through May 11. Tastings are free but you do need to be 21 or over, of course.

As you can imagine, The Macallan has a proud and rich history. What else would you expect from a brand that requires the definite article in its title. So if you want to appear a bit more knowledgable about this storied spirit, go and check The Macallan’s blog so you can fake it ’till you make it at the big tasting. Personally, I’ve never been too much of a Scotch guy myself, but what I am is a tremendous fan of free booze, like virtually every other soul in my demographic. So I’m definitely willing to give it a shot, or six. Hope to see you there…

RSVP online for the event by clicking on the preceding link.

If you were at all like me growing up, you probably drove your mother to the liquor cabinet at least once or twice… on a bad day. How fitting is it—now that you’re all grown up—that you can bring the liquor cabinet to her with a magnificent Mother’s Day Martini. This thoughtful libation is sweet and delightful, just like Mom. Best of all, if you share a few of them before going out for dinner; it’s bound to make the entire evening more lively for everyone involved.

All you’ll need to make it happen are a few specialized ingredients, such as pomegranate liqueur, coarse sugar and pink grapefruit juice. Rub a lemon wedge around a martini glass, then dip the glass into the coarse sugar in order to sweeten the rim. Next, mix 2 ounces of high-class vodka (you can break out the Goose for Mom) with an ounce of the liqueur and an ounce of the grapefruit juice. Shake vigorously and strain the mixture into your garnished martini glass and voila! Happy Mother’s Day, Moms!

Does your fiesta need a soundtrack? Of course it does. And Tortilla Jo’s has you covered in that regard as well with world-class entertainment provided by the Grammy award-winning Mariachi Divas. Admittedly, I know very little about Mariachi music, but if they are divas they’ve got to be doing something right.

Tequila is always a tasty spirit and after an entire afternoon of sucking them back, you’re probably going to be in need of something tasty to sop it all up. I’m as big a fan of tortillas and salsa as anyone, but even that can get a little old after a while. That’s why this Mexican restaurant is bringing the heat in terms of a three-course menu of delectable dining throughout the holiday guaranteed to satisfy you’re hankering for cultural cuisine.

Margaritas, music and mayhem will ensue. So it looks like they’ve got all of their bases covered. Southern California is a region of the country known for it’s rich Mexican heritage. And it sure does shine bright on Cinco de Mayo. Have good fiesta-ing everybody!

5.) New Holland Brewing and Spirits, Hatter Royale Hopquila

This masterful misnomer is actually a white whiskey, consisting of double-distilled barley wash which is then bombarded with copious amounts of Centennial hops. The finished product has the grapfruity-goodness that you’d expect from the aroma of an IPA, but with the sharp, peaty finish of unaged whiskey. It’s great for sipping or to mix into some eccentric cocktails.

4.) Ram Restaurant & Brewery, Old Jack

This award-winning barrel-aged stout is as robust in flavor as it is rare and difficult to find.

3.) Dogfish Head Spirits, Whit Spiced Rhum

This ‘beer-inspired rum’ is crafted using orange peel and coriander, the flavors traditionally present in a Belgian style wit. The result is a a smooth drinking spirit that drinks like a heavier Hoegaarden.

2.) Lexington Brewing, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

This sipping beer has the nose of a fine Kentucky bourbon but with the vanilla, and caramel flavor that you might expect from a strong ale. At just over 8% ABV, it’s a dangerously drinkable beer.

1.) Charbay Winery and Distillery, Doubled and Twisted

This 99-proof Northern Californian Moonshine is made with batches of Racer 5 IPA that dazzles the tongue with a dose of hops, accompanying a subtle aroma of malt and barley. Unique in flavor and masterfully executed, you have to try it to believe it.

Pink Blossom

• 3 oz. Croft Pink Port
• 1 oz. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 oz. brut sparkling wine
• Fresh berries to garnish

Place 4-5 ice cubes in a highball glass, pour in St-Germain and add Croft Pink Port. Stir, top with sparkling wine, garnish, and serve.

Photo By: Sabrina Modelle

One of the hottest trends in drinking today comes from one of the coolest desserts out there.  Several high profile eateries and bars from around the country are now serving up alcohol-infused ice cream, and it’s every bit as delicious as you can imagine.  In combining two of the best vices known to humanity, what’s not to love?

In San Francisco, the Mission’s most popular dessert destination is Humphry Slocombe (2790 Harrison Street). Known for their eclectic array of inventive flavors, it was one of their original sinful concoctions that helped put them on the map: Secret Breakfast–bourbon ice cream mixed with cornflakes.  And while you’d have to eat a whole bunch of this boozy confection in order to notice a significant buzz, all it takes is one taste in order to enjoy the oaky and smoky characteristics that define barrel-aged bourbon.

Down in Los Angeles, a newcomer appropriately named the Drunken Udder is making a splash with an entire line of alcohol-infused goodness. Boasting such imaginative creations as Saffron Candied Ginger SoCo, and Tequila Vanilla Bean with Toasted Pepita Praline, Southern Californians are all abuzz over these diabolical desserts.  The Dirty Elvis is a must-have, served up at the W Hotel in West Hollywood.

In the East Coast, Max and Mina’s (7126 Main Street) of Queens dishes out several varieties of spiked specialties, including beer, merlot, and champagne ice creams.  Over in the West Village of Manhattan, dessert-lovers go gaga over the Johnnie Walker Black Label Gelato at Cones (272 Bleecker Street).  Even at $15 for a serving, it’s always in high-demand.  If you fancy yourself a scotch drinker it will definitely be worth a taste even for just the novel experience of tasting Black Label with the smooth texture of homemade ice cream.

Alcohol-enriched ice cream is a treat that we can all sink our teeth into.  And being that desserts and drinking our two of my favorite (and only) vices on the planet, I sure hope that this trend is here to stay.

The offer is to help relieve the pain brought about by Tax Day and clearly cheap booze is the perfect way to alleviate stress. BLT Restaurants feature full bars, with impressive wine lists and local beers on draft.  Personally, I’m a big fan of their 5 at 5 Happy Hour, offering 5 food items and 5 drinks for only $5 between the hours of 5 and 7PM daily.

If you find yourself in the lovely city of San Francisco this week—surprisingly bereft of a BLT to call their own—fret not, for down in the Financial District you can enjoy some Tax Day-inspired specials at Credo (360 Pine Street).  They are opening up their private dining room for a special 4-8PM Happy Hour with discounted beverages as well as $0.99 pizza for all the 99%ers out there.

Uncle Sam’s Deadline Date is traditionally quite a frugal time to go out on the town and enjoy a few cocktails.  It is a perfect way to spend that ridiculously large refund check that you have coming your way.  And if you’re not that lucky and owe the IRS more than you expected, you might as well drink away your sorrows on the cheap.  Either way, Tax Day brings into focus one undeniable truth: there’s always a good excuse to hit the juice.