The Bottlest Bistro Bathtub Martini, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg
I pride myself on being a bit of a cocktail connoisseur, but last week I saw one of the cleverest cocktail embellishments I’ve seen: a little rubber ducky floating in the Bathtub Martini at the new Bottlest Winery Bar & Bistro in Buellton. Made with Andrew John’s Premium Gin and a twist of lemon, this isn’t the only clever cocktail on the menu.
The Bottlest Bistro Lavender Gin Paloma, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Gin is clearly having a moment, as evidenced by the lovely Lavender Gin Paloma (made with house-infused lavender gin, simple syrup and grapefruit juice) on the Bottlest menu.
We also liked the Dirty Flamingo (made with Giffard pamplemousse liqueur and crushed Prosecco), the Happy Canyon Daiquiri (comes standard with Real McCoy 3 year rum, lime, simple syrup and a dehydrated lime wheel, but can also be upgraded with Mount Gay Eclipse or even Plantation 5 Year Old Grand Reserve), and The Vandenberg (made with Milagro Silver Tequila, lime, simple syrup and a soda sidecar).
The Bottlest Margarita with Pinot Noir Salt Rim, courtesy photo.
Also getting rave reviews is the Bottlest Margarita, made with Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila, orange liqueur, and a Pinot Noir salt rim—a clever touch that brings the wine and cocktail worlds together, as does this delicious new restaurant.
Hibiscus Lemonade and Lew’s Gimlet from Bottlest Bistro, courtesy photo.
The restaurant is new (with a fabulously elevated menu from former Head Chef of Barbareño Owen Hanavan), but the space (in conjunction with Terravant Winery) still offers its trademark “Wine Wall” of 52 constantly changing wines available by the taste, half glass or full glass. This is a definitely a destination that’s well worth the drive!
Cheers! Bottlest Winery Bar & Bistro is located at 35 Industrial Way in Buellton (805/686-4742, bottlest.com/bistro).
Bottlest Bistro Old Fashioned cocktail, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Leslie Dinaberg
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”
