Sun Liquor's Cale Green Kyle Johnson
The Emerald City has become a bona fide destination for craft cocktails, where locals like talking about booze almost as much as they love to drink it. Three Seattle cocktail masters dish about their favorite concoctions and bartending inspirations to give visitors a taste of the spirits scene.
JESSE CYR
Rob Roy
This Belltown staple boasts pre-Prohibition-era classic cocktails, plus bartenders fueled by innate curiosity and local inspiration. 2332 Second Ave; robroyseattle.com
Your most unique cocktail?
I created the Danzig Daiquiri using a spirit called Danziger Goldwasser with strong anise and caraway flavors, stirred instead of shaken–it’s not your typical tiki cocktail. But once you taste it, you’ll be glad.
What inspires you?
My curiosity and self-competition. This guy smoked a cocktail? I want to try that.
Favorite bar besides yours?
I really enjoy Herb & Bitter (516 Broadway E; herbandbitter.com). There’s a drink called None Ya Beezwax. It’s a creation by their bar manager, Marco. He uses actual beeswax to make a foam that sits on top of the cocktail.
ROBERT ROWLAND
Oliver’s Twist
Inventive Dickensian-themed cocktails flow easily at this favorite neighborhood haunt. 6822 Greenwood Ave N; oliverstwistseattle.com
Your most unique cocktail?
Our house cocktail, Duff and Blathers. While sometimes the tincture’s spiciness concerns patrons, it serves to cut the sweetness of the amaro. A well-balanced, Manhattan-esque cocktail results.
What inspires you?
An ingredient that owner Dan Braun concocts, followed by an afternoon of collaborative cocktail invention.
Favorite bar besides yours?
Although it isn’t a cocktail joint, Chuck’s Hop Shop (656 NW 85th St; chuckshopshop.com/greenwood) started as a bottle shop then grew into having 42 taps. They have the best beer with a neighborhood vibe.
CALE GREEN
Sol Liquor Lounge
Known for its signature small-batch gin and vodka, this Capitol Hill watering hole is popular with spirit-savvy guests. 607 Summit Ave E; sunliquor.com
Your most unique cocktail?
The Carried Away is a twist on a gin martini with Sun Liquor’s Gun Club Gin, dry vermouth, kummel, and grapefruit bitters. The caraway and grapefruit flavors pair well with the gin and dry vermouth.
What inspires you?
Punk rock and old books.
Favorite bar besides yours?
The old standby, Zig Zag Cafe (1501 Western Ave, Ste 202; zigzagseattle.com). There’s something to the atmosphere and service that’s so timeless and magical. It just feels right to drink a well-made, classic cocktail in a storied establishment like that one.
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