DRINK CULTURE
Luis Tover Zarate
LUIS TOVAR ZARATE IS LEAD BARTENDER AT ESTANCIA LA JOLLA HOTEL & SPA IN LA JOLLA , CA .
WHAT I ’ M
DRINKING NOW
Right now , I can ’ t get enough of Southern Blinds – a signature cocktail featured at The Trading Post , Estancia ’ s La Jolla ’ s brand new lobby bar . Pulling inspiration from an artist who creates massive top-down views of geometrical patterns with pyramids in the desert , Southern Blinds immediately catches the eye with a dusting of Madagascar vanilla powder on top of a frothy vegan foam .
Reminiscent of a desert sour , this cocktail blends reposado tequila and a hint of mezcal with Frangelico , clarified lemon juice and a velvety , vegan egg white alternative that we make in-house . Not only does this make for a great nightcap in our lobby , but Southern Blinds serves as a reminder that if you can think it , you can make it .
SOUTHERN BLINDS
1½ oz . Vegan Froth ( or 1 egg white and 3 / 4 oz . of blue spirulina simple syrup ) 1½ Oz Casa Noble Reposado ¾ oz . Frangelico ¾ oz . Clarified lemon juice ½ oz . Fosforo Tobala mezcal Madagascar vanilla powder * optional
Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake . Double strain in a chilled Martini glass . Garnish with a Madagascar vanilla powder dust .
Drink Experiences : The Fish and Karate at Tiger Sun
Tiger Sun , a new omakase-style cocktail bar in Atlanta , offers a four-course tasting menu of immersive libations paired with a complementary , playful bite . Priced at $ 75 per person , the pairings aims to guide guests through a journey of unique flavors and techniques .
The Fish and Karate cocktail in particular offers a unique experience , thanks to a key ingredient : gin that ’ s been fat-washed with cream cheese . The drink , which also includes mezcal and cucumber vermouth , boasts a briny yet fresh punch of flavor . The cream cheese-washed gin combined with cucumber and a nori garnish emulates the flavors of a California roll , especially once paired with the Sweet Crab Crispy Rice with Sesame Butter and Soy Sherry .
The 18−seat Tiger Sun , which opened late last year and is operated by Electric Hospitality , resides aboard a refurbished vintage tour bus parked behind its sister concept , Muchacho . The bar ’ s themed menu rotates throughout the year , with each rendition pulling inspiration from classic ’ 80s and ’ 90s movies .
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