Cereal Killer from @Rawbrybar

Even though their specialty is juice, I picked up a Cereal Killer this time around because money was tight.  The girl behind the counter said it was good on it's own, but that she really liked it as creamer in her coffee.

I took a sip and decided it would be a coffee-only sort of thing.  The only way I could describe the taste would be like a chalky, runny, milk like liquid.  It was like coconut water, it even tasted a bit like coconut.

As you could probably tell, I'm not a big fan of coconuts.  Big Hint: You'll most likely never see a Pina Colada reviewed on this site.

It's possible that I should have just stuck with the juices.  I'll try that next time.

Rawbry
The Basement
50 S. Virginia St
Reno, NV 89501
775 384 3468

Monday-Friday

7AM–7PM

Satruday-Sunday 10AM-6PM

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

Cucumber Chili Drop at Silver Peak Brewery

"This looks right up your alley for the blog" my best friend said, and I didn't bother looking at the rest of the menu.  I ordered the Cucumber Chili Drop because it had two kinds of vodka, lemon juice, and super syrup...pretty much all my favorite things.

I had high hopes for it, and sadly I was a little disappointed.  It tasted like a watered down ghost of a gimlet, and I didn't really get the cucumber or chili flavor out of it, although it had a smoky chili after burn.  I really wanted more flavor out of it, so I was a little let down.  Of course I'm always willing to give a place another chance.  Maybe it was an off day for the bartender, or just not a well thought out drink.  Either way, I'll be back for happy hour trying something else out for $6.

Silver Peak Grill and Taproom
135 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89501
Monday-Sunday 11AM-1AM

The Irishman at Global Coffee

There are a lot of drinks to enjoy at the basement, including coffee bar Global Coffee.  After my morning yoga class I went there with a friend who was nice enough to buy me a cup.

I've never been a fan of basic coffee, but as of late if there is enough sugar and cream, I can handle it.  I'm almost to the point where I enjoy it instead of just using it for the caffeine.

I thought the Irishman would be a good in-between coffee, and it mostly was.  It was surely a strong coffee flavor, but I did expect a little more Irish cream to come through and it didn't.  In fact, it barely tasted like there was any cream in there, Irish or otherwise.

I guess coffee is still not my "cup of tea," even though I don't like tea either.  I'll try something new there again though, as they were very nice and helpful while I was there.

Global Coffee
50 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

(775) 448-6818

Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM

Saturday 10AM-7PM

Sunday 10AM-3PM

The Asskicker from The Little Nugget

I hate dives.

Whew.  There.  I said it.

I hate dives.  I hate sticky floors, "well" drinks that are anything but, and dirty bathrooms.  I don't like having to wonder what else is in my drink besides booze.

That being said, there are exceptions to this rule.  I love Gold N Silver, and now that I've been, I've also become fond of The Little Nugget.

I know, I know...I'm a terrible local for having never been there.  I've still never had an Awful Awful, but I did want to have an Asskicker as soon as I saw that it came with a souvenir sports bottle.  Plus a drink called the ass kicker, I had to be like "challenge accepted."

I should have gotten the original, which is to the right in the photo and is a delightful margarita.  Instead I decided to turn my tongue blue with a raspberry vodka.  It was slushy, didn't taste that strong, and was delightful.  I only finished about as much as you see in the photo that night, then I took it home to throw in my freezer to finish it the next day.  Yep, it kicked my ass that much, and I ain't even mad at it.

It's totally worth the $8 price tag, although mine was actually purchased by my friend Ryan Kelly, who is acting in The Shape of Things at Bruka this week.  It's an amazing love story with a hellva twist, and you should purchase tickets right away, as it closes at the end of the month.

I think the Asskicker should be a major contender for the official state drink.  The experience of the divey casino and the strongness (and tastiness) of the drink makes for an original experience that you can't get in another state.

The Little Nugget
233 N Virginia St Reno NV 89501
Open 24 Hours

Hey Bartender

The Craft Cocktail is back, and I'm obviously very happy about it. This documentary (currently on Showtime) is an amazing love letter to bartenders and their craft.  It's a bit long for a movie about cocktails, but I was never bored watching it for the first time.

It opens on a quote: "The culture of drink endures because it offers so many rewards...above all the elusive promise of friendship and love." -Pete Hamill

One opening comment is "There should be a drinks column in every newspaper in America.  There should be shows on TV." I couldn't agree more.

They go through prep in a bar, and honestly I have a huge appreciation for everything they set up.  I often admired the set up in different bars (such as Z Bar), but I never really thought that someone had to set that up every night.  It's a lot to set up, and if you are high quality like 1864, you have to sculpt ice as well as set up everything for the night.

Employees Only in NYC is featured in the documentary has an amazing cast of characters.  They go into the background of a few people that work there that is fascinating. You really find yourself rooting for all the people involved in everything they want to do, and you are not disappointed.

However I have to say my favorite quote, maybe of all time, is from Frank of Rao's.  He says "The object is to bring your job, whatever it is, to the level of art."  He goes on to say "There is an art to being a waiter, there is an art to being a chef.  There is an art to being a bartender.  Be the best bartender anyone has ever dealt with."  This is around 45 minutes into the documentary (a little less than halfway through), and when I heard that it really changed how I felt about not only bartenders, but jobs in general.  It is a profound statement; you should always give it your all and take it to another level, a level of art.

Thank goodness for Dale DeGroff, and this documentary for really expanding my view of this profession, and of the craft cocktail.  Check it out soon!

Hot Toddy at Red Rock Bar

Although Bourbon is usually used, Red Rock gave me a Whiskey Hot Toddy a few months ago.  The snow was just over Mt. Rose and headed our way, and that bite was in the air.  We were at the bar and I just couldn't bring myself to have a cold drink and go back out there.

I'd never had a hot toddy before, but my friend insisted that I'd like it, and that it was made with local honey, which would be in one of my rules for the official state drink!  I was excited for my prospects before I took my first sip.

I'm not gonna lie, this is not my kind of drink.  It just tasted like hot Whiskey.  I didn't taste the lemon I clearly saw in there, I didn't taste any honey, and I had to constantly sir it so I didn't get a mouthful of....spice?  Nutmeg?  Something floating in it.

As I continued to muscle my way through it, I found the hot was really warming me up, and the whiskey was rather nice.  By the time I finished, it made me warm and drunk enough that I liked it.  Once I sobered up though, I knew it was a drink I'd never order again, unless I moved to Alaska.

Red Rock Bar
241 S Sierra St, Reno, NV 89501
(775) 324-2468

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