Thinking of the dreary nights, a nostalgic reverie,  for I’m onto life in Paris with my Seattle days behind me. A second list of drinks and establishments feels in order for this occasion! The Backdoor Sazerac, from the Back Door, a Sergio Leone from Ocho, and a French 75 from Bastille are the special three. Sensuous and memorable, these drinks all manage to pull off what I hope for when I get a drink.

It was a humdrum Tuesday evening over Seattle, Washington. The rain flooded the streets and leaves clogged irrigation systems, cars pushed water from avenue to avenue up onto the sidewalks and driveways. My friend and I hurried through the backstreets of Fremont in search of a bible and a church. Kidding, a drink and an atmosphere, but closed signs, and a ghostly climate descended like a bog. Suddenly it hit me, ’I heard about this place from a co-worker.’ ( yeah you 😉 ) We shimmied through a parking lot toward a door that was lit in red lights like a burlesque… The Backdoor.  The interior, an amalgam of Versailles and a circus, equipped with chandeliers, greco-roman statues, and mirrors upon mirrors, somehow strung together in a coherent fashion of bourgeoisie mockery. ‘Your house Sazerac.’ It arrived, and left in a seamless flow.  Like being punched in the stomach by silk. My friend said he liked the place. He’s a hardy fisherman, they tell tales, but I trust his taste, and have to agree with him on this one. A Jazz Trio picked up the music to set the backdrop of our conversation. A table in front of us clapped and cheered along. What a place to be.

Spanish Tapas and drinks named after Italian Directors. A peppy bartender who obviously knows what he’s doing.  For a fistful of dollars, I purchased ‘The Sergio Leone’— bourbon, lemon extract, ginger and liquor 43. Made an impression like the venerable director would. The creators of this joint obviously have divine taste.

Ocho is a grungy tavern, but it has trendy, techy clientele, an all too familiar scene in Seattle. That’s what makes this city somewhat false in a way. Like the drink is inspired by a real director, Seattle is inspired by a real city, and somehow the product comes out fresh, and oh so nice. 

A table of 50 year old aristocrats sat laughing at a table next to us, we were the only others there. Monday, lovely Monday, when it’s basically a private bar for you. “French 75 please,” I turned to everyone, “In honor of my mother.” It’s her favorite, and I couldn’t sip it quick enough. My mother told me to never drink before 21, “you don’t want them to have something on you honey. And this way you’ll learn to appreciate it, as a privilege–a private pool, not an oasis.”

Gin, Champagne, and Lemon whipped into an easy to drink, celebratory special. Sending a toast home from Paris, Santé & A bientôt. 

Con Amor,

Mr. Cohiba