Derrick Li of Dragon Horse’s Smoke Umami cocktail smoked inside a horse’s… you know. The drink is salty, vanilla butter-washed Kavalan Taiwanese Whisky, maitake mushroom, banana oleo saccharum, Chinese five spice, Bittercube trinity bitters.Drink Masters’ star & our local longtime beloved bartender Christian “Suzu” Suzuki of Wildhawk (right), with San Jose bar pioneer, Cache Bouren of Haberdasher and Cash Only (left).One of the very best drinks at Kona’s Street Market was The Progress’ bar manager Will Cao’s Scotch & Crackers: coconut-infused Monkey Shoulder blended Scoth, oloroso sherry, makrut lime, winter melon sugar. It was dry, nutty yet refreshing, tropical and crushableKona’s Street Market closing night Tenderheart cocktails & little gems salad bites. Danny Louie’s killer cocktail is canned and available at Tenderheart at the Line Hotel SF: Whisky + Szechuan combines Highland Park Scotch, green szechuan peppercorn, Thai basil, coconut, citrus and a fascinating, smart, subtle-but-present hit of dill and peachJanice Bailon of the special For the Record bar’s jackfruit, calamansi, guava tea and coconut milk Botanist Gin delight, Rock, Baby, RockKona’s Street Market closing night: Christian “Suzu” Suzuki’s gorgeously delicate Yume’Datta cocktail of Del Maguey Vida Pubela, Bitter Bianco vermouth, goya bitter melon, fresh aloe, lavender and clarified milk
