Gin Fizz

Good Housekeepin g bar is now open in Highland Park. The bar behind Cafe Birdie keeps to classic cocktails with a twist.

I checked it out recently and really enjoyed the Gin Fizz. I love gin fizzes and it’s always great when a bar makes a delicious version that isn’t a Ramos Gin Fizz (though those are delicious as well). I really liked the peppermint-infused Old Tom gin because, well, mint. It gave the brunch-y drink a clean and refreshing flavor.

Gin Fizz – peppermint-infused Old Tom gin, evaporated cane sugar, egg white, lemon, seltzer, bitters

Paloma

Those those long nights of friendly banter and laughter, it’s always good to sip on something juicy. And what’s more classic than the Paloma? Good Housekeeping’s twist is to actually up the ante by using both tequila and mezcal. The bell pepper syrup also creates a more complex and interesting paloma.

Paloma – tequila, mezcal, bell pepper syrup, lime, Squirt

Bijou and Boulevardier

I generally know when was the last time I had any particular classic cocktail. While I love Manhattans best, there are easily a dozen or more stirred drinks I will drink anywhere, anytime. So when you say you’ve done some jasmine infused gin, I had to see how it fared in the Bijiou. That’s one of my favorite drinks and this one is a good one with the new Bruto Americano as well as Green Chartreuse.

The strawberry-infused Campari was crazy cotton-candy sweet on its own but it was incredible in a Boulevardier. It worked to smooth out the bitterness of Campari. I’m thinking ahead and am wondering how that strawberry-infused Campari would do in a frozen negroni in the summer. Or you know, next week because Los Angeles weather is still around 90 degrees in mid-October.

Bijou – Jasmine-infused Old Tom gin, Green Chartreuse, Bruto Americano, sweet vermouth

Boulevardier – Buffalo Trace bourbon, strawberry-infused Campari, sweet vermouth

Horse’s Neck

Horse’s Necks always remind me of horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. Though it’s always welcome in any number of horse tracks. The simple drink is elevated at Good Housekeeping with a good rye whiskey and punched up with cinnamon and all spice.

Horse’s Neck – Rittenhouse rye whiskey, ginger syrup, cinnamon, all spice, lemon, seltzer

Daiquiri

I love it when bars take pride in their drinks. It shows a certain care and sophistication when classics are found and introduced to our current era. Daiquiris may always evoke a long ago time but it’s extremely modern to order one these days. Good Housekeeping has put together their house rum by blending 5 different rums together. This is a jazzy number that’ll keep you animated.

Daiquiri No. 1– house rum (blend of 5 different rums), Chartreuse, lime

house pickles and nuts

Imagine my delight at a good nuts mix? Or even better, house made pickles. The carrots are all fine and good (made from the vegetables bought at the farmers’ market around the corner) but I was overjoyed to find pickled sunchokes!

Shandy Graff

Last but not least (no, really, there are more drinks on the menu I didn’t try!), I had the Shandy Graff. We’ll this one any and all heatwaves. I really enjoyed the coriander in this. It gave it a subtle clean note. I don’t think I can have regular shandies again!

Shandy Graff – Scotch whisky, amaro, coriander, ginger, lemon, beer

I can’t wait to check out Cafe Birdie for brunch or dinner. Though if you go for dinner, you can’t miss checking out Good Housekeeping. They’ll have a weekly drink inspired by that aforementioned farmers’ market. This will sure to be a neighborhood gem.

Good Housekeeping (behind Cafe Birdie)

Filed under: alcohol education, booze, cocktalian, food, great cocktails, hot bartenders, minty life, restaurant reviews Tagged: drinkwire, good housekeeping bar, highland park, la cocktails, los angeles, the minty