Kansas City News Blog

Last night, I went to the Plaza’s M&S Grill for a drink seminar called “Celebrating the American Cocktail.” Basically, this was a PR event to show off M&S’s drink menu, but anytime you put the words history, cocktail and samples together, I’ll show up. And, apparently, so would an interesting cross-section of local media types, like KCTV 5’s Surae Chinn and Randy Miller; KSHB’s Keith King and Chris Hernandez; Camp’s John Long; and assorted KC Magazine folks, including editor Chadwick Brooks.

We gathered in a back room, where bartender Noah Robinson set up shop. He stood behind a table laden with an array of bottles and glasses, as well as a manual juice press – which, besides the muddler and swizzle stick, is my favorite bar accoutrement. As he made us seven different drinks, he emphasized the importance of using fresh ingredients. He also talked about the “craft of the cocktail” and the “reversion back to classic cocktails.” After he talked about each drink, we got little samples. Just to be clear: I will listen to any lecture when it is followed by samples of cocktails.

My favorite was the ambassador smash, a light-tasting, Mint Julep-style drink made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice and muddled mint. I also liked the Garden Delight, a pink summery drink made with gin, Pimm’s No. 1, lemon juice and mashed-up watermelon and cucumber. We also tried a Pisco Sour, which I’ve always wanted to drink. It’s also a light, barely-sweet drink that’s made with egg whites, which make it frothy. The night ended with the Vesper (three parts gin, one part vodka and a splash of Lillet Blonde). M&S paired it with a Red Velvet cake and an upside-down apple cobbler, and the clean, strong flavor of the gin cut down the richness of the desserts.

Anyway, the classic cocktail theme is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. A few weekends ago, I went to a new downtown bar that boasts a 90-strong martini list. I’m not a huge fan of martinis, and even though I liked my drink there, I lamented to the Significant Other that I’m tired of the martini bar concept. They’re ubiquitous in KC, and this trend needs to stop. So, even though I don’t have the most refined drink palate, I do appreciate the places that focus on classic cocktails. Like Swizzle, which is located at Wornall and West Gregory. I’ve only been in once, but liked the drink menu and my Pimm’s Cup. Another bar with a good drink list is the Bulldog, which serves up Dark and Stormys and Harvey Wallbangers.

Really, just give me a drink that’s uses a muddler and is garnished with a real swizzle stick. The side order of Red Velvet cake is negotiable. – Jen Chen