We here at Drink of the Week always get excited when a new bar opens in town, even when it replaces a place we loved. We can’t do anything about rent, landlords, business models or whatever. We can just sidle up to the bar. So when The Pub closed its doors last year, we were bummed. (The “OMG Salad” was truly OMG.)
But Seven Bar & Kitchen has taken its place, keeping the same layout, the same red brick walls and a similar vibe. But instead of the split between wine bar and gay bar, Seven is just … all bar. And Ben Agnini, who started his bartending career in Boulder, is dedicating his time to delivering classic cocktails with a twist … the twist being this: If you have a favorite cocktail, and the bartenders can make it, it goes into Seven’s Little Black Book. And from then on, everybody can try it, like the first entry, the Afternoon in Berlin, a spin on the Kir Royale, with elderflower, ruby red grapefruit, bitters, Hangar 1 Mandarin Blossom Vodka and sparkling wine. Make your own wine at home and experiment what it would be like.
But Mr. Agnini has his own creations, including a variation on the Old-Fashioned with High West Bourye (a mix of bourbon and whiskey), and the one we chose for this week, “My Bee’s Keeper,” which mixes Breaker’s bourbon, honey, ginger and lemon.
DOTW has promised to return with our own submission for the Little Black Book, but until then, this is our Drink of the Week.
MY BEE’S KEEPER
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, macerated in sugar and water
Juice from 1/2 Meyer lemon (reserve peel)
1/2 ounce honey
3 ounces bourbon (preferably the locally made Breaker’s, available at Lazy Acres)
2 dashes lemon bitters (preferably Fee Brothers)
Blueberries, for garnish
Muddle ginger, lemon juice and honey in shaker. Add ice, bourbon and bitters; shake. Pour into lowball glass and garnish with blueberries and lemon peel.
Yield: 1 drink
Seven Bar & Kitchen
224 Helena Ave.
845-0377 or www.sevensb.com