Generally, West Hollywood is better known for its celebrity sightings and trendy scene than for craft cocktails. But Roger Room has been mixing up some of the city’s top cocktails since opening in 2009. And now, the trailblazing spot has a new menu of boozy beverages in time for summer.
The seasonal sips – created with help from bartenders Bruce Hood and Sean Stewart – feature summer produce and herbs from local farms, as well as recently launched liquors and liqueurs. In creating the new menu, explains General Manager Matt Wise, “This menu is an ode to, as well as the result of, countless human conversations, and what can be achieved when we can exchange ideas and perspectives with respect.”
“We think about the season, then we think about the spirits,” adds Wise. “Mezcal is a great fruit forward, light summer spirit and we love the Ilegal brand so I asked the guys to submit refreshing recipes with Ilegal in it.”
488 Watts at The Roger Room
Hood took the lead on creating the cocktail, with Orchard Pear Liqueur and Anthem Pear Cider for a lightly sparkling summer refresher.
“Bruce decided to name it 488 Watts after our customer Ferrari [Watts, a bartender at the Sofitel] as well as his favorite Ferrari model,” says Wise. “What is more fun than arguing over cocktails specs and cars?”
Others new drinks include the Highlands in the Stream, with Macallan single malt scotch, orange bitters and an absinthe rinse, and the Cold War No. 2, made with Jack Daniels Single Barrel.
New cocktails at The Roger Room
488 Watts
Created by Bruce Hood with Ilegal mezcal, Orchard Pear liqueur, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar, Anthem sparkling pear cider, and an orange peel, this drink (pictured above) is an ode to the Ferrari 488 – Hood’s favorite model – and an homage to The Roger Room regular and Sofitel bartender Ferrari Watts, says Wise.
Highlands in the Stream
Also crafted by Hood, this cocktail mixes Macallan 12 Yr Double Oak Single Malt Scotch, L’Orgeat and Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6, with a Lucid absinthe rinse, this drink is named for the homeland of Macallan and the Ernest Hemingway novel Island In The Stream, which later became a film featuring a classic Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers duet, Wise reveals.
Not Made For TV
Given its name because “the cocktail was made to be experienced in person due to its extreme deliciousness,” Wise says, this one – made by Sean Stewart – blends VIVA XXXII Joven Tequila, All Spice Dram, fresh lemon juice, peach puree, honey and yuzu bitters, with a Sal De Gusano orange slice, which is a traditional Mexican garnish with salt, worms and chili.
Cold War No. 2
Also concocted by Stewart, this cheekily named tipple is made with 94-proof Jack Daniels Single Barrel Whiskey, Lillet Blanc, Becherovka, Luxardo Maraschino and Regans’ Orange Bitters, with a flamed absinthe rinse.
Mama Lett
A refreshing blend of Plymouth Gin, Pimm’s #1, fresh lemon juice, Liquid Alchemist Orgeat, fresh ginger juice, blueberry preserve and mint, this cocktail – another menu entry from Stewart – is served over crushed ice and was named in honor of Plymouth gin rep’s grandmother Destinee Almonte who was nicknamed Mama Lett and loved the color purple.
The Roger Room details
370 La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90048; 310-854-1300; www.therogerroom.com; @therogerroom
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