Friday, June 24, 2011

Spring/Summer Seasonal Cocktails Come to Seven Grand

Seven Grand, the Downtown LA whiskey emporium, has launched its first seasonal cocktail menu since it opened in 2007. The new Spring/Summer menu is made up of four original cocktails and four rediscovered classics as well as two punches. Seven Grand has been known for classic whiskey based cocktails such as Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Juleps and Sazeracs and now has a broader array of drinks made from whiskeys from around the world.

The Keihi Cocktail ($12) is made with Yamazaki 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky, grapefruit juice and finished with grated cinnamon. It is smooth and balanced.


The Duck Hunter ($13) is a stirred cocktail made with Limited Edition ‘Seven Grand Eagle Rare 10 Year Old’ Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Carpano Antica, and Amaro Lucano. It is served with an orange twist. The base spirit for the Duck Hunter is the bourbon that Seven Grand owner Cedd Moses commissioned from a Kentucky distiller especially for the bar.


If you are a single malt drinker, you can’t go wrong with the Dagny Taggart ($14). It is a Glenlivet based cocktail named after the protagonist of Atlas Shrugged. The 12 year old single malt Scotch is stirred with Aperol and Torani, after Ardberg 10 year old Islay single malt Scotch has been sprayed onto the glass with an atomizer.


The other new original cocktail is the Irish Vandal ($11), which is particularly attractive when served. It is made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, shaken with fresh grapefruit juice and raspberries and served in a tall glass over shaved ice.  It is the best selling new cocktail on the menu.

Photo by Anne Fishbein, courtesy of Seven Grand.
The four rediscovered classics are:

The Scofflaw ($11): Old Overholt Rye, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Lemon Juice and Grenadine

Whiskey Crusta ($12): Famous Grouse Blended Scotch, Lemon Juice and Maraschino Liqueur, served in a glass with a sugar crusted rim

The Boulevardier ($13): Old Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Campari and Carpano Antica, served an Amarena Cherry and a lemon twist

New York Cocktail ($11): Wild Turkey Rye, Lime Juice, Grenadine, Brown Sugar, with an Absinthe Rinse and Orange Twist


The two punches are each made for sharing and can serve up to ten.  They are a good value and fun to drink with friends:

Canadian Punch ($90): Rittenhouse 100 Proof Rye, Smith & Cross Rum, Pineapple and Lemon Juices, Fever Tree Soda Water

Kentucky River Fish Kill Punch ($85) Wild Turkey Rye, Aperol, Grapefruit Juice, Grated Nutmeg, Prosecco

New General Manager Angus McShane, who previously worked at the Edison and Copa d'Oro is excited to expose Seven Grand customers to drinks beyond the classics for which it is known.  The bar serves over 500 Old Fashioneds every week, which McShane said is remarkable.  In addition to the new menu, he promised other fun events to come, including visits from master distillers and continued support of the Seven Grand Whiskey Society.

Seven Grand: 515 W. Seventh Street (@ Grand). Downtown LA.  Phone: (213) 614-0736.  Website: www.sevengrand.la

4 comments:

  1. I'm not a big whisky drinker, but I really like the look of that Irish Vandal, let me tell you...especially given the week I've had! Great post.

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  2. I feel like I'm seeing Yamazaki everywhere these days. I really need to get back over to 7 Grand. I think I've only been there once, which is a shame since I'm a whiskey/scotch drinker. You have a favorite among the new drinks?

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  3. I quite enjoyed the Keihi. I am a sucker for grapefruit though.

    I didn't get a chance to try the Irish Vandal, but I did see quite a few go out. The presentation nails it and with the fresh berries gives you a real drink that looks good without being too sweet.

    Ang - drinks soon!

    Nick/Treasure - yes Yamazaki has really increased distribution in the past 18 months. Their west coast brand ambassador Neyah White is excellent at getting the word out

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  4. The bartender who created the Keihi and most the drinks on the menu, now leads the bar at Old Fields Liquor room in Culver City! He is a great bartender and he puts love in all his drinks!

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