Grasshopper from Z Bar

A few months ago KJ said that the Grasshopper was part of his seasonal drinks, so I should get it before it got taken off the menu.

I was so glad I did, because it was like a boozy mint chocolate chip ice cream, which is my favorite thing in the world.  Not a crappy mint chocolate chip ice cream that you pick up from the store without any regard to the brand...this tastes like someone named Jerry or Ben had a hand in it.  I was actually sad at how small the martini glass was, because I wanted more of it.  It was like a delicious minty mudslide.

I'm actually a little sad that this is a seasonal drink, because I would have it year round with pleasure.  Maybe with enough encouragement we can convince him to leave it on.


 Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

Pearanha from Z Bar

I'm glad to be closing out the year with a drink from Z Bar.  KJ has always been my favorite bartender in town, even though sometimes he just plops a drink down in front of me without telling me what it is.

I walked in and picked this drink after he told me that this was the best seasonal drink that wasn't too boozy, since I was driving straight to another location to drop off Christmas gifts.

I really liked this one, it reminded me of a Toasted Almond, but with a festive shortbread cookie rim that really brought the holiday/winter spirit out.  It was the perfect end to the Christmas season, freeing me up for champagne toasts into the new year.

I hope you all have a great new year, and I'll see you in 2016!

Raspberry Mule @ZBarRenoNV

We have sort of become regulars at Z Bar.  There was a point there where I was seeing the owner KJ more than I was seeing my own family.  KJ will just make stuff up for us sometimes, and one night he decided to make up a raspberry mule.

I talked a few weeks ago about how I had really gotten into mules, and I honestly think that it is 70% the glass.  I was a little disappointed in Chapel because they just used a regular glass.  These copper mugs are actually really expensive, so much so that there is a fun story about someone trying to steal one floating around the internet.

KJ might kill me for saying this, but I think he just made a regular Mule and topped it with some raspberries.  It tasted like the Spiced Mule from his menu, maybe he muddled in one raspberry.  However, his Spiced Mule is still a freaking delight, and since I'm not really a fan of pears I like this version better.

The Mule might be a passing fad, but it is in the running for me.






Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

"Sazerac" at @ZBarReno

The Sazerac is the official cocktail of New Orleans, which does sort of take it out of the running for the official state drink of Nevada.  However, there is something so smooth and yummy about the Sazerac that I'd be willing to share.

Usually a Sazerac contains cognac or rye, absinthe, Peychaud's Bitters and sugar.  At Z Bar it is made with Rye, and is also made with Whiskey and Angostura Bitters.  That is a lot to put in one drink, but KJ the bartender/owner makes it so it tastes like it is just one ingredient.  One straight shot of the best cognac-flavored absinthe you've ever had in your life.

Next time you are at Z Bar, it is worth a shot.  You won't regret the amazingness that KJ pours out.  Also check out their patio.  Now that the weather is starting to warm up, it's the perfect place to hang out and make friends.  In fact, I made friends with Lancer and Melissa on my visit this time around.  In case you are reading, thanks for making that time fun!

Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

The Heirloom Martini @ZBarReno

I ordered a dirty martini from KJ the other day, and he told me I didn't want it.  He told me I wanted an Heirloom Martini instead.

Maybe he was right, or maybe he was just out of olives that day.  I went along with it because I know better than to argue with KJ.  I want to be able to come back to Z Bar anytime I want.

Although what I was looking for was more briney, the savory flavors were totally amazing.

It reminded me of the time I went to Molto Vegas, now called Bet the Farm.  We picked up these amazing tomatoes that tasted like nothing else I've ever had.  This was totally the drink equivalent of that.  The only thing that sucks is that one of the garnishes, the basil leaf, isn't quite the snack that I'd like it to be.  Cherry tomatoes are the bomb though.

I think that the moral of the story here is to always listen to your bartender.  Especially if he is KJ.  No joke.

P.S. Try not to be too mean with your April Fools today.  Only fun things!

Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

Bee's Knees @1864Tavern

Yes, this is my third drink at 1864 I've reviewed.  It really is my favorite place to drink.  If KJ from Z Bar worked there I wouldn't drink anywhere else again.

Not that the bartenders aren't super awesome at 1864, they are.  While I was there with Stand Up Comedian/BFF Amanda Alvey, she told me that he was in a conversation with some other patrons saying "Caaampo or Campo? Is the food good? Then who cares??"

In fact, I actually did a stupid thing and went to the bathroom instead of writing down what was in my Bee's Knees.  Since the drink isn't listed on their online menu, I sent them a tweet asking, but it looks like they don't check it that often so I ended up sending them an email to ask. Awesomely they answered right away, and the post was saved!

Shawn emailed "The "Bee's Knees" is a classic cocktail that dates back to prohibition. It consists of Gin, Honey, and Fresh Lemon Juice.  (2oz, 3/4oz, 3/4oz ratio). Sometimes, at the customers/bartenders preference, we will sometimes substitute Elderflower water for the honey.  It gives it a slightly different sweetness, but still super good."

It was a little thin but sweet. I love that it had crushed ice, almost as much as I love their old school square cubes.  I just love a bar with different kinds of ice. It came with an elegant lemon peel garnish, so no eating for me again.

In the end it wasn't my cup of tea, but I'll always come back to 1864 Tavern.

1864 Tavern
290 California Ave, Reno, NV 89509
(775) 329-1864

Monday	3:00 – 11:00 pm
Tuesday	3:00 – 11:00 pm
Wednesday	3:00 – 11:00 pm
Thursday	3:00 – 11:00 pm
Friday	3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	3:00 – 11:00 pm

The Grapes of Wrath @ZBarRenoNV

I dare anyone to try and knock KJ of Z Bar out of the running for my favorite bartender/bar owner.  He's everything you want; cool, good looking, friendly.  He remembers you after only a few times in, and it makes me only want to go there.  During the day I even say "Hi KJ!" as I'm driving past the totally empty bar.

He's never made anything for me that I didn't like.  Although last time I was in there he lost faith in me and my ability to take spicy drinks to another level.

I'm stupidly the kind of person who takes the spicy level as a challenge.  If someone says "You can't handle the 10"  Then I make it a 10 and eat/drink it and say it's not that bad, even if it is.

KJ makes his own little infused blend that he puts into the vodka for the drink I ordered, called the Grapes of Wrath.  He asked me how I handle spice, and my head said "challenge accepted!"  and I told him to bring it all.  He looked at me with total disbelief and said "Are you sure?" and basically looked at me like I was crazy the entire time he was making the drink.

The Grapes of Wrath is a pretty simple drink, it only includes his Habanero infused vodka, lime, and simple syrup.  It pours out pretty clear, as you can see from the picture above.  The lime zest on top of the grapes was pretty fun in itself, but the drink was pretty amazing.  I did wimp out and ask for a water with it, which he brought me with a tiny slice of cucumber.  He really knows how to make a drink and take care of a girl.

It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but wow was it amazing.  I'm not sure if I would order it again, but if I was looking for just one drink and I was out for the night, it would certainly be this one.  Besides, he has so many of his well crafted cocktails on the constantly changing menu, I have to keep up trying them all!  No time to pick a favorite drink now, there are far too many to try.

Later on a guy ordered a drink with the vodka, and KJ asked me if he thought I should half it for him.  I asked the guy how his spice level was, he said "intermediate."  I smiled at KJ and told him "You better half it for him."

Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed