Mai O Mai: Panamanian rum, lime, pistachio orgeat, Curaçao, coffee-rum float, milk-washed
Grandmas to Blame: Islay gin, grapefruit, lavender, honey ferment, manzanilla, and salt
Shaker Lemon Stirred: Meyer fino, Moscato Chinato, Ambrato, and Cascara vodka
I stopped by True Laurel, a hip cocktail bar on Alabama between 19th and 20th in the Mission, for the first time last week.
After our dinner at Bon, Nene, my dining companion and I tried a few of their expertly made drinks. First, we had the Mai O Mai made with "Panamanian Rum, Lime, Pistachio Orgeat, Curaçao, Coffee-Rum Float, Milk-Washed." Then we had Grandmas to Blame, made with Islay gin, grapefruit, lavender, honey ferment, manzanilla, and salt. We ended with Shaker Lemon Stirred, which was made with Meyer fino, Moscato Chinato, Ambrato, and Cascara vodka.
Besides being obviously photogenic drinks, they all had clean, yet dynamic flavors that were unexpectedly good. (We heard rave reviews of the place beforehand, but those can only bring you so close to understanding how good their drinks were.) Moreover, the presentation was impeccable. I'm a sucker for a cocktail with a huge ice cube, especially one that's just a bit carved out on top so a cherry, lavender, or salt can be added.
This was one of the best cocktail bars I've ever been to and I will be remembering it for a while. I would most certainly visit again, potentially for brunch, which also sounds quite appetizing. If you've visited True Laurel, what do you recommend trying?
True Laurel
753 Alabama St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Wednesday - Thursday 4 - 9pm, Friday 4 - 10pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm & 4 - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 3pm & 4 - 9pm
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