Straight Up

In the last few weeks at B&B, I've had a lot of people at the Bar express gratitude for our extensive whiskey selection. In addition to the fact that we do showcase some fantastic spirits, we also have a freedom in ordering that we take for granted. Liquor laws vary from state to state, country to country. There are places that have only specific booze that they can obtain from a specific location. What a dilemma for bartenders and patrons alike in those places! At any rate, that's what brings us to the selection and service that we provide. Stop by and see the wall of whiskies that we all take for granted, and more importantly exercise your California right to enjoy it!
Read along...Speakeasy

 Share

On the whole, the American palette is overwhelmingly sweet. From Lemon Drops to Mojitos, and even Jack and Cokes these sugar heavy cocktails dominate what the country is really drinking. Don't get me wrong, sugar absolutely has it's place in a proper cocktail in terms of balancing out acidity. When you taste a cocktail and it is sweet on your tongue from front to back, how many of those cocktails could you possibly enjoy consecutively? Here is my solution, or at least a jumping point...try a Negroni. This classic cocktail is made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. If you've never had one, give it a shot...I think you will be pleasantly surprised. After that, consult your bartender on which direction to go in next...at least here, we will not disappoint. We shall overcome..

Read along...Speakeasy

 Share

Yesterday, Cointreau held a launch party for their first new product ever...
Cointreau Noir. Some of the finest bartenders the city has to offer, were invited to Yoshi's to taste the new product. Cointreau Noir is the famous orange liqueur blended with cognac (sound familiar?), but they also infuse a walnut/almond element into the process during distillation. Although everyone in the room wanted to draw comparisons to the famous Grand Marnier, it seemed as if the two were separated. Fair enough...the focus was supposed to be the Noir. At any rate, Cointreau Noir is definitely interesting and worth trying, and I can't wait to play around with some behind the bar. The packaging was my least favorite aspect of the new product. It looks the same as the classic Cointreau bottle, with the exception that it is a shiny copper color...hhmm..not sure about that. At least you won't lose it on the back of the bar...or anywhere else for that matter. Look for it soon, and see what you think.
Read along...Speakeasy

 Share

Democracy...the people's voice...the system in which the power of one singular vote can build into a collective result that triggers the winds of change. So much has happened in this world, and it's time to cast your vote...for the future..perhaps, so far into the future, that everyone might be wearing one-piece, shiny, silver suits. That being said, DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE! A couple of weeks ago, Joel Baker of B&B won a 42Below Vodka Competition. As part of his winnings, Joel will be sent..no, commissioned to New Zealand to partake in an event so epic, one might draw a parallel to Frodo. The Cocktail World Cup... This journey starts in the second week of September. In the meantime, 42Below Vodka is sponsoring a worldwide vote on-line for the People's Choice Bartender of the Year Award. The bartenders that have been selected for the competition are in a heated campaign for votes. We would like to avoid slinging mud at this point... Joel Baker needs your votes. It's simple, go to: cocktailworldcup.com, sign up and cast your vote for Joel. Vote today, for a better tomorrow...

 Share