When life gives you trouble, make it a double.
New Cocktail Menu at The European
If you haven't checked out the recently renovated Warwick San Francisco hotel, the January 23 debut of The European's new bar program is the perfect justification to take a peek. New lead bartender Shirley Brooks, formerly of The Battery, has added a bevy of new beverage selections to an already impressive cocktail menu, including a choose-your-own "Classics" section and a short but sweet "Seasonal" section. Starting Friday, you'll find Egg Nog ($13) and Amaro Alexander ($11) on the seasonal menu. The Classics menu includes familiar favorites including the French 75 with gin or brandy ($12), a Sazarac with rye, cognac, or both ($13) and an Old Fashioned with rye, mezcal, or rum ($12). 490 Geary Street, inside the Warwick San Francisco
Whiskey-Themed Dinner at Hog & Rocks
Having trouble whittling down your list of places to dine out during SF Restaurant Week? Here's a tip: the brand new $85 Discovery (Tasting) Menus all include some sort of alcohol pairing, ranging from wine to whiskey. The one we're currently drooling over is the whiskey-themed dinner hosted by Hog & Rocks, in partnership with High West Whiskey. The five-course tasting menu pairs American sturgeon caviar with a Guava Bellini, artichoke salad with a Kiwi Buck, hay roasted carrots with a Highball, slow-cooked pork belly with Boulevardier, and chocolate cake with an Old Fashioned. Reservations are available online, and the whiskey-themed dinner is available throughout SF Restaurant Week, January 21 through 30. 3431 19th Street
Get Punch Drunk at Gitane
Punch: it's not just for weddings anymore. Gitane, the Spanish restaurant tucked away on decidedly-French Claude Lane, has added a spiked punch program to its beverage menu. The seasonal punches are served out of vintage punch bowls, and are available by the glass or pitcher. This season's pair of punches is inspired by the Spanish novel, Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha. Tilting at Windmills features Kappa pisco, Cocchi Americano Rosa, pineapple gum, allspice dram and citrus ($10 glass; $40 pitcher). Ambrosio is made with gin, strega, gunpowder green tea and lemon ($7 glass; $28 pitcher). 6 Claude Lane
Spirit Tasting at Spoonbar
Looking for a fun, educational way to drink a Sunday away? Look no further than Spoonbar's monthly spirit tasting, slated for Sunday, January 25 at 3pm, in Healdsburg. Bar manager Tara Hefernon will be hosting an intimate spirit tasting with Sonoma Brothers Vodka and teaching a hands-on tutorial to guide guests through the process of infusing syrups with home-grown botanicals. The Spirit Tasting and Seminar ends with a Spoonbar signature cocktail. Tickets are available online for $20 per person. 219 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
Battle of the Tequileros at Tres
Drink tequila, cheer on your favorite bartender, and maybe win a trip to Mexico next week at Tres. The tequila lounge and Mexican kitchen in SoMa is hosting Battle of the Tequileros on Monday, January 26 from 6 to 10pm. For $45 (presale) or $55 (at the door), attendees will watch six local bartenders compete live before three judges using any Don Julio product and up to five other local ingredients. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to the US Bartenders Guild National Charity foundation. Attendees will be offered samples of each cocktail, small bites, live entertainment, and a chance to win a round trip flight to Mexico. 130 Townsend Street
Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com.
