Colleen Belcher headline-9507 2009-06-16T20:00:38Z 2009-06-16T20:00:38Z <p>Tonight, the Shady Lady Saloon will have two guest bartenders, Erick Castro and Owen Westfield of&nbsp;San Francisco's Bourbon &amp; Branch.<br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" href="http://bourbonandbranch.com/">Bourbon &amp; Branch</a> has a set of house rules that coincide with the simplicity and no-funny-business attitude of the Shady Lady:</p> <ul> <li>No use of cell phones</li> <li>No photography</li> <li>No standing at the bar</li> <li>Please speak easy (or quietly)&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Don't even think of asking for a Cosmo</li> <li>Please be patient as the drinks are labor-intensive</li> </ul> <p><br /> Bourbon &amp; Branch used to be the location of the JJ Russell Cigar Shop which operated as a speakeasy from 1923-1935, complete with a password that needed to be uttered to gain admittance, a trap door that opened and led down to the bar and five secret exit tunnels for easy escape.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Erick Castro is one of the instructors for the Beverage Academy, a school of mixology that Bourbon &amp; Branch offers to interested alcohol enthusiasts. The Beverage Academy teaches its students the history and intricacies of absinthe, Tiki cocktails, tequila, scotch and, of course, bourbon. Future classes will touch on gin and rum.<br /> <br /> Castro and Westfield will be creating a slew of cocktails especially for Shady Lady patrons. Here's a list of the mouth-watering drinks available for tonight only:</p> <p><br /> <u>Kentucky Buck</u><br /> A thirst-​quenching strawberry and ginger refreshment for those seeking refuge from the mundane and ordinary. Bulleit Bourbon infused with organic strawberries from Monterrey Bay Farms, fresh lemon juice, ginger beer, and Angostura Bitters.<br /> <br /> <u>The Laphroaig Project</u><br /> A tropical and light cocktail featuring a peaty single-malt. Delightfully intellectual, yet wickedly visceral. Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Green &amp; Yellow Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lemon juice, and peach bitters.<br /> <br /> <u>Blame It On Rio</u><br /> The Brazilians are well-known for many hedonistic traits and qualities and now with this drink, you can add one more indulgence to that list. Sagatiba Cachaca, Rothman &amp; Winter&rsquo;s Apricot Liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and bitters.<br /> <br /> <u>Casino Royale</u><br /> Although, this drink is named after the famous novel written by Ian Fleming in 1953, the flavor is anything but fiction. Plymouth Gin, sloe gin, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lemon juice, and orange bitters.<br /> <br /> <u>Rye Maple Fizz</u><br /> Like the initial stages of an autumn courtship, this beverage is frothy and slightly spicy, yet balanced with just a touch of sweetness. Rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, organic maple syrup, free-range egg white, Angostura Bitters, and soda.<br /> <br /> <u>Ambajador</u><br /> Sexy, sinful and Latin. Allow this wayward cocktail to take you south of the border for a little passion-tinged journey to the heart of Jalisco. Keylime infused tequila, passionfruit, fresh lime juice, free-range egg white, agave nectar, and Indonesian cinnamon.<br /> <br /> <u>Wild Honey Punch</u><br /> A punch that is both spiced and refreshing, yet sweet and complex, much like the kiss of an ex-​lover &hellip; except without the early morning awkwardness and wayward feelings. Sagatiba Cachaca, Appleton 12-year Rum, Velvet Falernum, fresh lemon juice, organic wildflower honey, Indonesian cinnamon, seasonal fruit, and sparkling water.</p> Colleen Belcher 2009-06-16T20:00:38Z