Probably one of the most well-known drinks in LA, the Black Dahlia is named after Elizabeth Short, the notorious victim who walked out of the Millennium Biltmore and was later found mutilated in Leimert Park. She later became known as the “Black Dahlia,” a derivative of Raymond Chandler’s popular novel, The Blue Dahlia, and the crime became one of the most publicized in the history of the city. The case was never closed, and the story has always intrigued Angelenos, so much so that Hollywood made a movie about it in 2006 with Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett. If the unsolved mystery doesn’t send shivers down your spine, the Gallery Bar's mix of Absolut Citron vodka, Kahlúa and Chambord might do the trick.
How can you honestly visit LA without trying its eponymous drink? Seven Grand’s version of the cocktail — often dubbed as the evolved whiskey sour — consists of whiskey, lemon juice, sweet vermouth, powdered sugar and a raw egg. Plus, you get to enjoy it in Seven Grand’s much-acclaimed interior. With sophisticated, dark woods and a not-so-subtle wild game motif on the walls, it sports both a masculine and sexy vibe.
Made famous from Raymond Chandler’s book, The Long Goodbye, a real gimlet is “half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats martinis hollow.” Indeed it does, and for the famous detective noir author, it was the cocktail of choice when he frequented LA’s bars in the 1930s and 40s. Since then, some bartenders have switched to vodka, and the Ivy has taken over the honors of serving up the best in town with premium vodka, lime, syrup, mint and an immaculate presentation.
Well, it doesn’t have a fancy name or any special ingredients, but you can be sure the martini at the famous Musso and Frank Grill has reached legendary status. Why? It’s in large part due to bartender Manny Aguirre. At age 75, he was around when martinis were martinis — not some hodgepodge of colorful liquid thrown into a martini glass. Manny is known as LA’s bona fide martini expert, and over the years the celebrities — Elizabeth Taylor, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford — have enjoyed the fruits of his labors. Stop by and he might just tell you about them.
Bar Centro at the sexy SLS Hotel might be a new player in town, but its cocktails have already caused quite a stir (no pun intended). One of them is the Magic Mojito. Forget straining over ice. The Flor De Caña rum is poured over cotton candy in a martini glass, dissolving it instantly. With a touch of mint, the cocktail goes down like candy. Call it cocktail alchemy. Bartenders are using actual chemistry to create some spectacular concoctions. Legendary? Time will tell, but we couldn’t pass up on telling you about it.
BOOK IT
to LA >>
Show:
Black Dahlia Martini at the Gallery Bar
Raymond Chandler’s Gin Gimlet at the Ivy
The Classic Martini at Musso and Frank Grill
The Magic Mojito at Bar Centro
Get your free monthly email newsletter.
