Alcademics

Next in the series of San Francisco is Trying to Ruin My Liver, I stopped into Pacific Cocktail Haven (aka PCH) to try the new drinks on the summer menu. Little did I suspect that Kevin Diedrich has swapped out nearly 75% of the cocktails.  Then less than halfway through the tasting, all the thirsty citizens of SF all decided to hit happy hour there at the same time and things got real crowded. 

Long story short, I sampled all of these drinks in under an hour so I may not have a ton to say about each one. 

Before we even began, we started with a Toki Highball - Japanese whisky and fizzy water poured from a custom-built (by the brand) highball machine. The machine filters and super-carbonates tap water and adds chilled Toki whisky.

I want one for my house but recognize that this would be a Very Bad Idea. There are a few of these being installed in bars around the US. There is also one at Nihon in San Francisco. 

Thrilla in Manila - Evan Williams Bourbon, shiso, calamansi, coconut, absinthe, li-hing mui. 

Sweet, rich, creamy, dessert-like cocktail that finishes with the li hing powder that helps it taste relatively dry. 

Kung Fu Pandan - Kikori whisky, sake, salted pandan, citrus, candy cap dust. 

The candy cap topping really makes the drink, but you get the whisky lurking in the second sip and tasted caramel corn-like flavors. I really like how many of the whisky cocktails on this menu are summery. 

Tuk Tuk Tea - Dewars 12yr Scotch, h by hine cognac, laphroaig, honey, thai tea, cream

Based on the Thai iced tea with nice round flavors and a pleasant surprise in the smoke from Laphroaig. 

Pootie Tang - Pineapple infused H by Hine Cognac, enter black sake, coconut, absinthe, bitters

The ice-free format looks like it will be boozy, but it's soft and delightful; the Kalani coconut liqueur helps make it tropical. Silky. 

Leeward Negroni
Sipsmith VJOP Gin, coconut washed campari, pandan cordial, bitters

This is a fantastic Negroni variation with both an earthy quality (I assume from the pandan) and an almost greasy finish from the coconut washed Campari. Probably my favorite drink on the menu. 

 Chimpan-Chiote
By Francis Stanksy. Monkey Shoulder Scotch, amontillado sherry, guava-cumin, achiote shrub, bitters.

A tropical guava whisky drink with a beautiful presentation. 

Barley and Me
By Francis Stansky.  Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, avua cachaca, lazzaroni amaro, chocolate barley, orgeat, cinnamon, bitters

Whisky and cachaca, a bit milky. Chocolate barley used like a tea. 

City of Dawn
Partida Blanco Tequila, fino sherry, watermelon, ancho reyes verde, kaffir lime, citrus, bitters.

Obviously, this is delicious and they could serve it by the gallon. 

Havana Nights Havana Club Anejo Blanco, dry curacao, martini ambrato vermouth, bitters, acid phosphate.

A sweet Improved Rum Martini with curacao. 

Jeepney- Rum, honey , Licor 43, calamansi, sparkling wine.

I really liked this drink (I guess we could call it an Airmail variation) but somehow didn't manage to write down what I liked about it. Must try again. 

Extra Fancy - Maker’s Mark Bourbon, blueberry, orgeat, crème yvette, bitters.

I loved the blueberry and orgeat combination in this drink. I'm going to watch for more berry-orgeat combinations in drinks because it works really well.

Secret Drinks! There are also "secret drinks" on the menu - in order to see them they loan you a little viewing thing that I think is a UV viewer. You can see on a few pages of the menu some drinks not visible in regular light. Diedrich says there are 7 secret drinks, but each menu only has 2 or 3 of them so if you want to try them all it will take a few visits. Project!  

I had two secret drinks: 

Return of the Mac -  roasted corn togarashi syrup, tequila, egg white, citrus, matcha salt.

This drink is delicious with a light grain note, frothy texture, and I want matcha salt on everything from now on. Another menu favorite. 

Rumpshaker - Black sesame honey, scotch, PX sherry, green apple.

Sorta kinda like a juicy scotch apple cobbler? Let's go with that. 

Thanks for all the great drinks PCH!