Straight Up

The Sazerac is the perhaps the most enigmatic cocktail of all time. It seems to assume a certain level of formlessness. It's an undisputed classic, yet every bartender seems to have their own expression of what a Sazerac should be...I don't know if there is a wrong answer, and I love that about the drink. There was a movie called "The Aristocrats", where comedians in show business all used the same punchline in a joke, but had different ways of getting to it. In a nutshell, I have come to appreciate the Sazerac as a counterpart to "The Aristocrats" in our profession. All of the conflict subsides in my mind, and I embrace every unique Sazerac, and look forward to many more.
It is not a coincidence that I haven't said what is in a Sazerac so far... come on in..

Read along...Speakeasy

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So the official start of Cocktail Week is Tuesday, May 13th. The excitement is already in the air, and the barstaff here is ready to showcase some great cocktails this week. So here it is..
The Marked Man- Kevin Diedrich
Makers Mark (blueberry infused)
Dry Vermouth
Benedictine
Peach Bitters, served on the stem

The Blue Bonnet- Joel Baker
Plymouth Gin
Meyer Lemon
Honey Syrup
Muddled Blueberries & Tarragon, served on the rocks

Melon Thyme- Yanni Kehagiaras
Millers Westbourne Gin (canteloupe infused)
Lillet Blanc
Lemon Bitters
Thyme Essence, served on the stem

Blood & Smoke- Owen Westman
Laphroaig
Lillet Rouge
Grapefruit Juice
Dash Honey, Lemon, and Egg White, served on the rocks

The Velvet Glove- Andrew Mitchell
Plymouth Gin
Pimms
Canton Ginger Liqueur
Lemon Juice
Dash Agave nectar, served on the stem

The Austrian- Ian Scalzo
Plymouth Gin
Lillet Blanc
Grapefruit Juice
Lemon Juice
Ginger Syrup
Dash Angostura Bitters
White Pepper dusting, served on the stem

The Deshler- our classic cocktail selection
Rye Whiskey
Dubonnet Rouge
Cointreau
Angostura BItters, served on the stem

So this wraps up the Cocktail Week list at Bourbon&Branch, we look forward to everyone stopping by this week and celebrating with us..

Read along...Speakeasy

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Joshua Durr will be bartending at B&B on Wednesday, May 14th in the library. Josh hails from Louisville, Kentucky where he is partner in Molecular Bartending LLC.
A Seasoned mixologist with over 6 years of experience spanning many fine establishments up and down the east coast. Josh has created numerous cocktails for clients such as Brown Forman, Southern wine & Spirits, Lucky Strike Lanes & Felt, Republic National Beverage, and Leblon to name a few. He also has been involved in the execution of experiential brand marketing for a number of liquor brands bringing there products to the consumer in new ways with brands such as 42 Below, Makers Mark, WoodFord Reserve, Midori, Herradura, Jose Cuervo, and Pama....It looks as if 2008 is proving to be only more involved with cocktail development & brand marketing projects for Josh & Molecular Bartending Ltd.
His drinks will include:

The Emu Daiquiri
Rhum Clement Premeire Canne
Palm Sugar syrup
Lime Juice
Tarragon&Fejioa tincture

Figin Rose Julep
Noahs Mill bourbon
Fig and Mint infused maple syrup
Rosewater
Fresh mint and fig... crushed ice

Zesty Margin
Herradura Blanco
Red Bell Pepper
Cliantro
Agave nectar
Lime Juice
Pear nectar

All of these drinks sound great, so we hope that everyone can make it down to B&B on Wednesday(14th) this week to meet Josh, and enjoy one of his signature drinks in our Library..

Read along...Speakeasy

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Lately there have been a string of home made spirits and potions developed at Bourbon and Branch. One of our talented bartenders, Kevin Diedrich has made various batches of of home made bitters, gum syrup, tonic water, limoncello, Amer Picon, Irish Cream and the list goes on. All of this stuff is fabulous, and really worth a try. So next time you decide to stop by for a cocktail with us, feel free to ask us about any of Kevins' creations.

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Cocktail Week 2008 at Bourbon & Branch was a success this year! The bartenders came up with some very well received cocktails, and all of our guests seemed to have a blast this past week. We even managed to have tropical weather in San Francisco(?) for cocktail week! A lot of work went into the last week at B&B, and we hope that everyone had as much fun as we did! Lastly I would like to thank Josh Durr for coming in from Kentucky and bartending with us for an evening. I could really get used to these festivities at B&B...more to come...stay tuned..

Read along...Speakeasy

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Bourbon and Branch has a very special guest this week. Starting Monday, May 26, Jamie Boudreau will be bartending at Bourbon&Branch. For those of you who might not have heard of Jamie, here's a quick rundown. Jamie Boudreau is considered to be one of the finest bartenders in the world. Bold statement?, perhaps, but he has the credentials to back it up. Jamie has bartended all over the world, and has been featured in so many publications that it might give me carpal tunnel if I listed them all. Most recently, Jamie presided over the upscale bar Vessel in Seattle...he was named Seattle Magazine's 2007 Bartender of the Year. If you haven't heard of him, check out his blog at spiritsandcocktails.com. After that, run don't walk to Bourbon&Branch. On Monday and Tuesday of this week Jamie will be in the front bar making cocktails. Jamie will then move it back to the Library on Wednesday and Thursday, where he will have his own special menu. This promises to be a very special engagement, and we hope everyone can make it out and say hello to Jamie, and welcome him to San Francisco.

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Jamie Boudreau will be bartending in our Library Wednesday May 28 and Thursday May 29. There will be no need for reservations to visit our guest, just use the usual password "books" to gain entry.

Jamie will be featuring his special cocktails starting at 7pm.

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