Love Happy Hour - New Spring Cocktails at Sotto in West LA

Bartenders Julian Cox and Nick Meyer have launched a new spring cocktail menu at Sotto in West Los Angeles. And just in time - the weather couldn't be better in LA right now. The restaurant had its kickoff party on Wednesday, March 27th with the new spring cocktails offered at $9 and $9 select pizzas throughout the evening. Thanks to followingCaroline on Crack via Twitter, I heard about the event and headed over.

Included in the spring-inspired cocktails line-up, Sotto has also added house-made, bottled carbonated cocktails.

Spring Cocktails at Sotto:

Barrel-aged Clover Club

Barrel-aged Clover Club: Ransom Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon, house-made local raspberry preserves, organic egg white

Pass the Buck: Blanco tequila, fresh lime, Meletti amaro, ginger syrup, mint, bitters

Dux di Lux: Luxardo bitter, fresh lime, dry vermouth, Luxardo maraschino, egg white, housemade amaro soda

Fly by Night: Sheep Dip Scotch, Saler’s Gentleman liqueur, King’s Ginger, Angostura and Psychaud’s bitter

ASAP Rickey: vodka, fresh basil, strega, Bertagnollo grappino, bitters lemon soda lime essence

Swept Away: Martin Millers Westbourne strength gin, Salers gentiane, Nardini amaro, Benedictine, house orange

Modest Mousse: Espolon reposado tequila, Averna, Punt e Mes, Angostura Orange Bitter, Pamplemousse rose, grapefruit oil

Return of the Daq: Smith and Cross rum, Zucca rhubarbaro, fresh lime juice, Maraska maraschino

SOTTO POP (carbonated cocktails):

Amaro Never Dies: Abano, Luxardo maraschino, evaporated cane sugar
Byrrhberry Byrrh: seasonal local berry agrodolce, Plymouth gin
Diced Pineapples: Cocchhi Americano, pineapple, Tequila Ocho reposado, fennel seed

Margherita Pizza: tomato, mozzarella, basil, EVOO

Sotto

9575 W Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-0210

LOS ANGELES HAPPY HOURS

Love Happy Hour - Friday Night at Pasadena Happy Hour Week

Love Happy Hour - Friday Night at Pasadena Happy Hour Week

Makin' It With Maren - St. Patrick's Day - "Green Eyed Girl" Cocktail Recipe

St. Patrick's Day drink - "Green Eyed Girl" cocktail

For my latest Makin' it with Maren segment, we decided to seek out the best tasting St. Patrick's Day cocktail in Los Angeles. Many Irish inspired cocktails are made with Baileys, Bushmills or Creme de Menthe. Otherwise, it seems like everybody is drinking green beer, Guinness or Killians Irish Red Beer. Jameson is definitely Irish, but most people don't think to combine it in a specialty cockail; usually it is sipped, or on Irish holidays...shot down your throat.

But, my latest trip to The Phoenix bar in Beverly Hills changed my mind. I tasted an amazing cocktail made with green ingredients (cucumber, mint) and mixed with Jameson Irish Whiskey: Green Eyed Girl. This drink was well-balanced, refreshing and simple to make. Check out my new video to learn how to make this St. Patty's day specialty cocktail. Go Green!

 Me, and head bartender Darius at The Phoenix

Get in the spirit for St. Patrick's Day with the "Green Eyed Girl" cocktail made by head bartender Darius at The Phoenix bar in Los Angeles. This refreshing cocktail is made with green ingredients and Irish whiskey - a perfect match for St. Patty's day drinkers. Enjoy!

"Green Eyed Girl"cocktail:
2 ozs Jameson Irish Whiskey
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
Splash Lime Juice
Sliced Cucumbers
Fresh Mint Leaves
Ice

Make It:
Muddle Simple Syrup and Cucumber
Add Mint and Continue to Muddle Gently (don't mash mint leaves)
Add 2 ounces of Jameson Irish Whiskey and Splash of Fresh Lime Juice
Add to Ice and Shake
Strain into Fresh Glass of Ice and Serve
Garnish with Mint Leaf and Cucumber

My awesome crew: Tony Calle, Robert Walley and Johnny Sullivan

The Phoenix

14 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

(310) 289-5925

Happy Hour:

Everyday, 5pm-9pm
$3 well cocktails
$3 wine
$3 beer

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cheers,

Maren

Makin' it with Maren - St. Patrick's Day Cocktail: Green Eyed Girl

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! Learn how to make the Green Eyed Girl cocktail!

                St. Patricks Day Cocktail:           

                GREEN EYED GIRL 

Makin' it with Maren - "The Spring Break" Cocktail with Kumquats

The Spring Break Cocktail

The Spring Break Cocktail

March 8th, 2013

by Maren Swanson

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to say hello to warmer days and sunshine than toasting to a fresh cocktail made with the fruits of the season. I cannot tell a lie - this is my favorite cocktail recipe to date. "The Spring Break" is refreshing, citrusy, vibrant and…addicting. The warmer the days become, the more you'll be busting out the muddler and on a mission!

Kumquats are an Asian gem; small, flavorful fruit filled with a sour-citrus punch and encased in a sweet and succulent skin. These olive-sized orange cousins brighten up "The Spring Break" cocktail and serve as a tasty snack, too. Most people are surprised to find out that you can eat the kumquat in its entirety - just be careful of the seeds!

I found kumquats at my local Trader Joe's for around $3. Before you muddle them in the drink, slice them in half and remove the seeds with a fork. Muddle the kumquat halves with the simple syrup, and then layer the rest of the ingredients in a martini shaker. Shake vigorously and pour your drink over fresh ice (including the muddled kumquats). Top with sparkling lemon water. Garnish with fresh basil. As you are enjoying the drink, don't forget to nibble on the vodka soaked kumquat treats.

I guarantee this drink will be one of your new favorites! Plus, it's a great alternative Easter cocktail to serve instead of mimosas. Happy Spring Break!

"The Spring Break" cocktail recipe:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
1 oz Pom or Pom Lite juice
3 kumquats
1/2 oz simple syrup
lemon sparking water
ice
-------------------------------

muddle kumquats with
simple syrup
layer remainding ingredients in
a martini shaker
pour over fresh ice
top off with lemon sparkling water
garnish with fresh basil

Makin' it with Maren - Mercado - Santa Monica

Join me, Maren Swanson, and head mixologist, Gilbert Marquez (of Mercado in Santa Monica), to learn how to make a classic margarita.

Makin' It With Maren - Valentine's Day: "My Valentine" Cocktail

Makin' It With Maren

Valentine's Day Cocktail: "My Valentine"

by Maren Swanson

February 12th, 2013

Learn how to make this delicious mini martini treat for your Valentine!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I have created a special treat for you! Whether you are single, in love for the first time, in a serious relationship or married, the "My Valentine" cocktail is the perfect love elixir to get you in the mood for V Day. I wanted to make you something that is delicious, beautiful and sexy. I chose to make this drink in a mini martini glass so you get just the right amount of tangy and sweet in one drink.

This drink isn't overly complicated. You'll just need Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka, Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka, Pineapple Juice, Lemon, Ice, Pixy Stick and Red Sugar (optional). If you really want to make an impression on your Valentine, add a rose petal garnish on top.

Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka

Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka

Pineapple Juice

Pixy Stix & Red Sugar

To make this drink, follow the steps below. I promise that this drink will be a huge hit anyone this Valentine's Day!

"My Valentine" Cocktail:

2 oz Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka
1/2 oz Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
Squeeze of 1 Lemon Wedge
Ice

Garnishes:
Rim: Pixy Stix
Rim: Red Sugar
Rose Petals

Layer ingredients in a glass or martini shaker (not garnishes). Add ice and shake well 3 to 4 times. Re-distribute mixed ingredients to a mini martini glass or tumbler with ice. Top with garnishes. Serve. Enjoy!

Rim of glass:
1. Pour out 6 packets of red Pixy Stix and red sugar on a small plate.
2. Take your lemon wedge and run it along the rim of the mini martini or glass and then gently twist the rim or the lemon-lined glass into the plate of pixy stix and red sugar to create a flavorful and festive rim for your glass.

My Valentine Cocktail by Maren Swanson

In my opinion, this Valentine's Day cocktail tastes like a strawberry cupcake - my favorite!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers,

Maren

Check out more drink recipes on Lovehappyhour.com