Sipping Pickle Juice Cocktails at Mezze Los Angeles
Mezze, the La Cienega hot spot, is now shaking up the Los Angeles cocktail scene. Headed up by Jonathan Whitener, the cocktail menu in the newly redesigned bar features a bevy of chef-driven cocktails and house-made bitters.
With complex flavor profiles, locally sourced ingredients, and a chef’s expertise know-how, Mezze is no small potato in the Los Angeles craft-cocktail scene any longer.
But instead of outsourcing a mixologist as many eateries do, Mezze turned to those who were already killing it in the kitchen – the almighty chefs. Makes sense as chefs are already pros in throwing elements together to create a delicious fusion of flavors.
So this begs the question: can Jonathan Whitener, who has taken the helm at Mezze in creating the new lineup of drinks, go head-to-head with L.A.’s famed bartenders? From pickled vegetables to house-made bitters, Mezze is certainly making a splash in the craft-cocktail craze.
Designed with a diverse range of influences from the deli counter to Tiki-Renaissance, here are just a few of Mezze's innovative cocktails debuted this summer:
Grapefruit Serg-io
Vodka, St. Germain, lemon, grapefruit
The Wanderer
Tequila, rosewater, hibiscus syrup, sumac
Johnny’s Zombie
White & dark rum, apricot liquer, pineapple, citrus
Not So Bloody Mary
Gin, tomato water, smoked celery salt, aleppo pepper
Jam Fizz
Brandy bergamot jam, egg white, yellow chartreuse
These are titillating tipples, but chef Jonathan Whitener's Pièce de résistance is the Deli Juice, which combines gin with dill pickle, Serrano pepper, and mustard seed in a surprisingly refreshing sipper that pairs perfectly with some of chef Micah Wexler’s Jewish deli classics. Another close second to the Deli Juice, which also premiers pickling, is The Art of Choke with pickled artichoke, Bulleit rye, Pimm's Cup and Cynar.
The best time to sample these salacious libations at Mezze’s bar is Happy Hour, which runs from 6:00–7:30 pm on Weekdays, as well as a late-night happy hour from 11 am – 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. With half off the new creative cocktails, I'm sure you'll also say... Heúrēka!
Mezze, 401 North La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048
Images via Mezze
