Celebrate the days of arcades in a more adult way with 1886’s (1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136) new spring cocktail menu; a collection of a dozen drinks inspired by classic video games! This season, 1886’s libations are being presented in three categories: Shaken, With Citrus; Stirred, Aromatic; and Tall, Refreshing.
Shaken, With Citrus were inspired by the glow of a game screen on your face. Starting things off is Bowser’s Brew, which is a combo of honey, lemon and bourbon served in a Maplewood-smoked jar that you shake vigorously for eight seconds. Next is the Punsch-Out! made with fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices, Kronan’s Swedish Punsch and house-made chamomile-infused rye. Of course, no homage to classic video games would be complete without Princess Toadstool, and her honor is memorialized with the Princess Toadstool’s Tonic, a malt cocktail combining Pisco, Aperol, Doppelbock and lemon that creates a delicate, pink lace around the glass. The Angel of Darkness is a combo of rye, sherry, lime, pineapple and maple syrup. And lastly, the DK Daiquiri is made with Banana-infused Selva Rey white rum, fresh lime, and a touch of natural sugar.
Moving on to the next level, the Stirred, Aromatic section, starting with the drink Weise says was the most difficult to create. La Calavera is a spin-off of the popular, Sazerac, using reposado mezcal, reposado tequila, and aged Venezuelan rum with Creole and cardamom bitters. Yoshi’s Island is a Manhattan/Martini style cocktail using Meyer lemon and rosemary-infused Benedictine, dry vermouth, house-blended orange bitters, and Fifty Pound Gin, finished with a rosemary island. The Rush’n Attack, features house-made, locally produced olive oil vodka, a tomato-water ice cube, and a secret blend of spices. If you love dark liquor with a sweet twist, save room for the Scotch Scout, a spin on a Manhattan using Shortbread cookie-infused 12-year scotch, Carpano Antica and a few drops of Benedictine.
Finally, the Tall, Refreshing category, has three drinks. The Bucky O’Hare is a play on a classic buck and features El Silencio mezcal, Cio Ciaro, lime, ginger and grapefruit soda. The Luigi’s Mansion, is made with Puya chili-infused blanco tequila, fresh cilantro, cucumber, lime and a hint of agave syrup. Closing things out is the Pimm’s #13, the latest in 1886’s search to redo the entire Pimm’s series from scratch. This time, the spirit base is mescal, and it’s muddled with fresh citrus, cucumber and mint, and topped up with a hearty slug of Jarritos Tamarindo.
Menu Design: Peter Lloyd-Jones
Photo Credit: acuna-hansen
