Farron Lennon, editor
We, the lawyers of SWW, enjoy a good cocktail every now and then. We pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest trends. So, as we approach the dawn of a brand new year, SWW wanted to find out which cocktails will be the wave of the future and which will go out of style like a hot-pink fanny pack (read: goodbye pomegranate).
To find out, SWW hit the town and did some serious investigative drinking…err…reporting. We bring you the Cocktail Trends of 2010.
Aromatics: Can You Smell What Your Bartender Is Cookin’?
One of the top trends we spotted around town was aromatic cocktails. These fragrant treats bring new dimension to your cocktail. We recommend trying this trend at Vessel, 1312 Fifth Ave., Seattle, 206-652-0521, which specializes in highly imaginative, trendy cocktails with a nod to the traditional cocktails from the early 20th century.
Vessel’s signature cocktail, Vessel 75, takes its inspiration from the 1926 Skinner Building and the maple tree lining Fifth Avenue, and features bourbon, Peychaud’s bitters, orange zest and maple syrup foam. Vessel also serves a host of carbonated cocktails, including the Perlini® martini and the Captain Handsome – served straight up and bubbly.
Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Have you seen the Green Fairy? Portrayed as a dangerous psychoactive drug in the early 20th century, absinthe was banned in many countries across the globe. Only recently has commercial distillation of absinthe resumed in the U.S.
Its reputation and novelty make absinthe a big trend for 2010. SWW likes The Arctic Club, 700 Third Ave., Seattle, 800-600-7775, for its selection of absinthe-based beverages, available in either the French or Czech style. The Arctic Club’s pre-Prohibition-era ambiance pairs nicely with a fine array of classic cocktails, many of which have subtle but effective modern twists. Try the 007 or the Arctic Club Manhattan.
Speak (Over) Easy
Classic cocktails are a big trend for 2010. After the 1919 Volstead Act outlawed alcoholic beverages, the speakeasy was born. Thirsty patrons rushed to hidden rooms and dark basements to imbibe.
Tavern Law, 1406 12th Ave, Seattle, 206-322-9734, brings history to life. If you are lucky, after making a call on the house phone, you will be “buzzed” into Tavern Law’s hidden room. As you head up the stairs to this secret hideaway, which is adorned with period-appropriate couches and high-back chairs, you may feel like you are traveling back in time.
The bartenders at Tavern Law, including those in the secret room, specialize in handcrafted, classic cocktails inspired by the middle 19th to early 20th century. The drinks are thoughtfully made and well balanced. If you are brave, try a cocktail made with an egg, like the Clover Club or the Applejack Sour. The handcrafted cocktails, fresh juices and house-made bitters make Tavern Law a must try.
The walls are lined with Washington Reporters, so if your boss asks where you are, tell him you’re at the library.
An Oldie But a Goodie…With a Twist
Another trend we saw all over town was a classic cocktail with a modern twist. Stop by The Chapel, 1600 Melrose Ave., Seattle, 206-447-4180, at happy hour to try one of its nearly 40 different kinds of martinis. These ain’t your grandma’s martinis.
Chapel was built in the early 1920s inside the Butterworth’s Mortuary. The beautiful architecture and unique ambiance make Chapel a great spot to check out. Plus, Chapel’s happy hour runs from 5-9 p.m. and midnight to close. Try the Great Dane or the Hibiscus.
You can also catch this trend at Tango, 1100 Pike St., Seattle, 206-583-0382. The Makers Manhattan, to which Tango adds dried cherries rehydrated in something that makes ‘em sing, give the drink a sweet, earthy complexity similar to an amarone. Take our advice: eat the cherries.
Buy Local
Another trend for 2010 is to mingle local ingredients with your favorite spirit. A good drink is an art form and no one knows this better than the bartenders at Grey Gallery & Lounge, 1512 11th Ave., Seattle, 206-325-5204.
This Capital Hill art gallery exhibits exceptional artists by day and night. After 4 p.m., the lounge opens with a number of terrific Northwest cocktails. Try the Rose City Vesper, which is a take on the James Bond classic, the trendsetter of all cocktails. Grey Gallery combines Aviation gin, Portland 88 vodka, Lillet Rouge, and rose water with a twist. It seems made specifically for those with rain boots.
Sake T’Umi
For your saké, we recommend trying saké cocktail. A number of fresh and unique drinks await happy hour lovers at Belltown’s Umi Saké House, 2230 First Ave., Seattle, 206-374-8717.
Umi is most famous for its multitude of saké options and saké-based cocktails. A good way to take a flight of fancy through the extensive saké list is to, well, order a flight of saké. Customizable flights allow customers to try three to five sakés of their choice, and the accompanying tasting notes provide an educational and enjoyable drinking experience. As the name suggests, Umi knows its saké.
Contact Farron Lennon with comments or for more information at flennon@schwabe.com.
Originally published in the December 2009 issue of the King County Bar Bulletin. Reprinted with permission of the King County Bar Association.
