classic cocktails

After trying out lots of bars in San Francisco, my favorites were the ones with the classic cocktails. I decided to make it my mission to find some bars in Seattle that could offer me the same. I enlisted my roommate Jackie to help me with this task. A couple of weeks ago we went to Tavern Law, which is constantly ranked as being one of the best bars in America. I wound up having three cocktails there, so I can personally attest to it's awesomeness. Tavern Law is hands down the best bar I have ever been to. I started out ordering an English Fizz that had earl grey infused gin. Heavenly. Next up, I ordered the Tuxedo #2 which is pretty much straight up booze (gin, vermouth, absinthe) with a little sugar mixed in. My last drink was my absolute favorite. We sat right up front at the bar, so we got to see the bartender make all of the drinks. A guy came up and ordered a drink that I couldn't hear the name of. I watched as the bartender freshly juiced a grapefruit, followed by mixing up some gin, elderflower liquor, aperol, lemon juice and lavender bitters. This drink looked right up my alley. After asking the bartender what it was that he had just made I found out that was called the Dr Girlfriend, a drink that used to be on the menu. Definitely my favorite drink of the night.

Jackie's second cocktail was also pretty good, the lusty lady. The lusty lady consists of gin, lime juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, an egg white and some lavender bitters. While in San Francisco I saw quite a few cocktails with egg whites in them. I was skeptical. I never ordered a single drink with them in it. After trying a sip of Jackie's lusty lady, I can now say that I have been converted. Egg whites add a certain frothiness and creaminess. I can't wait to go back. Next time we're going upstairs to the Needle & Thread, the attached speakeasy.

The door to Needle & Thread from Tavern Law (speakeasy style)

Later that night we also went to Grimm's where I finally got my Fernet and Ginger Ale that I had been craving, followed by a trip to Barrio's for margaritas. It was there that I had the best salad of my entire life, a chipotle pulled chicken salad with romaine and cherry tomatoes. Unreal.

A couple of nights ago we ventured away from last weekend's Capitol Hill adventure and into Belltown, Rob Roy to be exact. They have happy hour from 4-7, so my Playmate cocktail (Pineau des Charentes, Fever Tree Tonic, Grapefruit twist) was only $6 instead of the usual $12. I enjoyed my first cocktail. Even though it was a bit on the sweet side, I loved the tart grapefruit mixed in. My second cocktail was the real winner of the night, the Ginslinger (Ransom Old Tom Gin, Fernet, Cane Sugar, Regan's Orange Bitters.) At first, I felt like I was sipping straight booze, but after awhile the ice allowed the flavors to really open up and I was left with a lovely cocktail with two of my favorites (gin and fernet.)

sipping on my Ginslinger at Rob Roy

Jackie got a couple of cocktails that she liked a lot, but I enjoyed mine more. I'm already planning future outings to Sun Liquor, Bathtub Gin & Co, Knee High Stocking Co., etc.