El Hermano

El Hermano Cocktail with a lime wheelThe sweetness of raspberry syrup in this El Hermano contrasts wonderfully with the spice of jalapeños in this mezcal-based cocktail. Try it the next time you are enjoying Mexican food. The flavors are perfect together!

El Hermano
Adapted from Imbibe Magazine
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Classic Martinez

Photo of a Classic Martinez cocktail with a lemon twistThis Classic Martinez cocktail is a precursor to our modern gin martini. And, you just might want to make it a regular treat.

The Martinez adds a hint of sweetness to the gin and vermouth combination. It uses sweet vermouth rather than dry and brings in just a hint of maraschino liqueur. The result is a smooth and cheery drink that is delicious at cocktail hour.

A customer shared with us that this cocktail has Bay Area origins. Check out this post on the City of Martinez website for the story.

The Classic Martinez
Yields one cocktail

For variations, you can replace the maraschino liqueur with Cointreau or Triple Sec. Read more…

The Rose Cocktail

The Rose Cocktail against a shadowy backgroundThe Rose Cocktail was birthed in Paris and became popular in the 1920s. It’s an aromatic pink cocktail—a sweet, cherry-flavored spin on the classic martini. This simple-to-prepare libation uses very French ingredients including dry vermouth, kirsch (a cherry brandy), and dry gin. It is delicious for brunch and stands on its own at cocktail hour.

The Rose Cocktail Recipe
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Lemon Drop Martini

Refreshing Lemon Drop Martini The Lemon Drop Martini (or just Lemon Drop) is a delicious modern spin on the vodka martini that was created here in SF in the 70s. Often served as a dessert drink, it is a great choice whenever you are craving some lemony sweetness. It is also easily customized to your taste.

Made of vodka, limoncello (a sweet, Italian liqueur), lemon juice, and simple syrup, you coat the rim of the glass with lemon and dust it with granulated sugar. It is served with a twist.

Making the lemon twist
An easy way to make a lemon twist is with a carrot peeler. With the right touch, you can peel a strip and avoid the pith. Then just roll the peel into a tight spiral and gently squeeze it. The twist will loosen up once you release it. To store, keep it in a glass of ice water to maintain the spiral.

The Lemon Drop Martini
Adapted from The Spruce Eats
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