Posted in Drink, Wildhawk and tagged Cocktails, hip hops, Jacques Bezuidenhout, San Francisco Bars, The Mission, vermouth, Wildhawk Bar on July 26, 2016 by McKenzie Ward.
Jacques Bezuidenhout’s collection of Vermouth. Photo Credit Antoinette Bruno for Star Chef’s piece on Vermouth.
Got Vermouth? Wildhawk, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, knows what it takes to produce seriously tasty cocktails using this sweet aperitif.
base to produce a dry liquor native to France. The Italians are known for sweet vermouth, made with red wine.
More of a potion than a drink, vermouth was originally used as a medicinal tonic because of the spices and botanicals. Today, it is an awesome tool for any barman and with the right compliments can become your quintessential summer sidekick. While it has a longer shelf life than wine, it will start to oxidize after a month, so it is best to store your favorite bottle in the fridge.
How do I enjoy Vermouth?
Vermouth is diverse, delicious served neat or chilled, or as the ultimate summer cocktail base. Find one you like, add a splash of soda and enjoy with a twist of citrus.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can tackle the vermouth cocktail. Wildhawk favorite, Hip Hops, incorporates grapefruit, pineapple and hops for a refreshing summer libation. Check out the recipe below and make it yourself at home!
Can’t get enough vermouth? Visit Wildhawk in San Francisco and try their full menu of vermouth-based cocktails.
For more tips on how to drink and mix vermouth, check out his handy User’s Guide on Star Chefs!
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Bar, bar essentials, bartender, Cocktails, Forgery, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Mid-Market, PlumpJack Blog, PlumpJack Group, Popular SF Bars, San Francisco Bars, SF Bars, The Mission, Wildhawk Bar on March 10, 2016 by Tea Ribar.
In anticipation for the April opening of Wildhawk Bar, partner Jacques Bezuidenhout reveals his favorite classic cocktails and his essentials for his at-home bar.
What is your favorite cocktail to order at the bar when you go out?
I have three that I order regularly depending on what kind of bar I’m walking into. I cannot just have one. Generally a Negroni is one of my favorites, followed by a Margarita and a good Martini. For me, these three classics, if made well, will always put a smile on my face and make the days’ stresses disappear. They are timeless and very tasty!
Why are these your favorites when you’re out?
Most bars can make a Negroni, even if they don’t, they can be helped with a little direction. Then I love a great Margarita, but that really depends if the bar does fresh squeezed lime juice and if they carry quality Tequila. If that is the case, I will thoroughly enjoy a Margarita or two. Then lastly, I love a well-made Martini, I am very careful when ordering this cocktail. Most bars can make a good Martini, but few can make a great Martini. It is one of those drinks that require some passion and attention to detail. It can truly set the good bartenders from the great bartenders.
What two things do you stock at your bar at home, that people don’t necessarily think to have or generally own?
A couple of things every home bar should have is a mixing glass and a home juicer. Get a nice mixing glass (Cocktail Kingdom), this will help you stir all sorts of great drinks from Martini’s to Manhattan’s. It is a great piece of equipment to have and looks great on your bar. Then always have a hand juicer for juicing limes, lemons or grapefruits. Do not ever, ever, ever buy pre-mixed citrus. The hand juicer ensures delightful fresh-squeezed juice, which makes for a much better cocktail experience. It takes a little extra effort but the pay-off is well worth it.
What do you think would make someone’s home bar a bit extra special?
For me it is not really a specific ingredient – I believe that is a very personal thing. If you love Gin then stock a great selection. Although, it is always handy to have a small selection of bitters and at the very least Angostura.