Bourbon & Branch
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 673-1921
10/03/2006 Posted by cyberdoggie
I just returned from B&B tonight. As a home mixologist, I have to say that I have never been somewhere in SF where the drink menu was as evolved and perfected as Bourbon and Branch. I make my own ginger syrup. B&B not only makes ginger simple syrup by soaking ginger for 24 hours in sugar water but it also then blends the result of the soaking and strains it in a chinois to create the best ginger syrup ever. The passion for one ingredient is carried over to EVERY ingredient. Bitters in drop bottles. Pepper infused gin. (Infused for only 24 hours otherwise it's too hot) Rye based drinks. Vermouth you didn't know existed. Elderberry liquor in drinks as a secret ingredient. It's wonderful. It's passion. If you're passionate about your drink and want to experience the best cocktail in SF, you owe it to yourself to make a pilgrimage here. My experience on Tuesday night was welcoming, inviting and rewarding. The service was sincere and timely. I went here wanting to see the 'joint' before it was gone, based upon some bad press from Michael Bauer's blog. Now, I have religion and will be back to explore a cocktail list that reads like the wine list at Acquerello. If you don't have an interest in exotic liquor, perfected cocktails (try the cucumber infused gimlet with elderberry liquor and a float of prosecco or the black pepper infused vodka with muddled strawberries and pastis dropped on the top) It's truly a destination. Make a reservation, check your cellphone at the door, and prepare to expand your horizons with THE BEST cocktails in SF. Oh, and did I neglect to mention that this is the only bar in SF that serves an amuse bouche with your drinks. Tonight when we sat down we were presented with a shot glass with a lillet and house made tonic with a single mint leaf. A perfect start to a perfect night.
Pros: Drinks, atmosphere, bartender
Cons: Slum neighborhood
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