If the best parts of the 80's can be defined by Madonna and mirrored surfaces then the 90's was almost all about the flannel and trance music and now the first decade in 2000 is definitely distinguished by the rise in cocktail culture and the hyper awareness that surrounds it. That is no more evident then in the rich developments of 2008 with mixology, specialty liquors and full flavor bars bursting on the scene like never before - legends are being created every minute in a city whose buzzwords are fresh ingredients, innovative recipes and passion.

So sit back and relax and get ready to learn about some great San Francisco bars that are shaking, stirring and serving up sexy with a side of thyme and a wink. We're about to show you the bars to drink in the new Renaissance - in part 2 of this story we'll follow that up with some boozy mixes you can create at home...who says bartenders get to have all the fun.

Without further delay, Metrowize is proud to present you the return of cocktail culture:

The Alembic
1725 Haight St
This bar might be the Josh Groban of taking the cake for the Haight Street revival of true old fashioned cocktails mixed with brand new methods and techniques. We recommend the Macanudo which primarily consists of partida anejo tequila, apricot eau-de-vie, Qi smoked black tea liqueur and a dash of agave nectar. There's sweet from the agave nectar and smoke from the anejo tequila, the apricot eau-de-vie (lit. water of life) imparts a subtle floral essence that that is only enhanced by the Qi.

Beretta
1199 Valencia street
This mission hot spot blew up when rumors circulated that a bunch of hands jumped ship from another super cocktail center to start their own liquortorium. Whether the last statement contains any veracity these booze Barron's have bestowed on us the merriment of drinks that rise above the waves of mediocrity and scoot around the loche like Nessie. Try this one out next time your there:

Lonsdale
gin, apple, lemon, basil, honey
The londsdale is a resplendent mix of all things holy in the new cocktail culture, fresh basil which is a great alternative to mint plus gin known as summertime vodka and apple which far to few drinks have added to honey that'll hit you harder then DeNiro in Raging Bull.

Mamacita
2317 Chestnut St
Little mama will be having you seeing stars in no time after you take her advice and try the delicously addictive Paloma, which is an update on the classic. This one is has Squirt imported from Mexico, muddled Grapefruit and Lime as well as a healthy dose of Platino tequila. Its like someone took a plain old PBJ and upgraded it to late harvest grapes from Petrus in Bourdeaux and peanuts that were personally planted by George Washington Carver wedged in between sourdough bread baked by Paul Neuman himself.
Extreme, maybe - delicious, definitely.

NOPA
560 Divisadero St
Short for North of the Panhandle this place packs in it and is one of our favorite drinkeries when we need to escape the rigors of downtown.
Channel your inner Anthony Bourdain as you sip your way into a Minero a balls out mix of St. Germain, Egg White, bitters and Quebratna Pisco for a drink thats as frothy as it is refreshing. A truly quintessential mark of cocktail culture Pisco's take the old and mix them with the new, in this case the St. Germain elderflower liqour for a taste thats hauntingly familiar without being to predictable.

There you have it, several bars that represent all thats good in nuevo drinks in San Francisco, but please don't think that cocktail culture begins and ends in a bar. In part 2 of Cocktail Culture, we will show you a few recipes we've either created outright or modified to give you the upper hand next time you need to impress the booze hounds at your next blowout.
Bottoms up!