Duck fat infused bourbon, beet infused Beefeater & more at Lantao Social Club

By Lesley Abravanel | Lank@aol.com5/31/2012

Need a place to drink your sorrows away in the aftermath of the pop-down of The Broken Shaker, a place some say was Miami Beach's best bar ever? Lantao Social Club is hosting an invite-only grand opening on June 11, but those who like to be first to everything can get a sneak peek at the place on the weekend of June 9-10 when San Francisco mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout is in the house working closely with Lantao's new bar chef Chad Phillips. Phillips comes has an impressive list of mixology gigs, the latest being at Sra. Martinez.

At Lantao, he collaborated with Bezuidenhout to create the entire cocktail list based on an ode to classics and the menu at Lantao Kitchen + Cocktails. Among the ingredients being mixed: duck fat infused bourbon. For foodstuffs, there's BBQ pork ribs (Korean BBQ, toasted peanuts, scallions), charred fish taco with Asian slaw, Sriracha yogurt, and pickled chilies, and duck crepes (Asian duck confit, Szechuan crepes and tomato mint slaw).

But back to those cocktails. Says Phillips, "Three of my cocktails feature items used in various dishes at the restaurant (5 spice, sweet banana, and duck fat), while another uses Pimms, which ties into the British influence. Chef Freddy’s ideas lend themselves very well to libations and we also created a list of forgotten cocktails including: Corpse Reviver #2, Vieux Carre, The Alaska, Ward 8, Seelbach,Boulevardier Flip (my twist on a classic, but way tastier!)."

Here's more to get all shaken and stirred about: 

CRISP & LIGHT

OH, BEE HIVE

Spring 44 Honey Vodka, Drambuie, Domaine de Canton Ginger, Lemon, Club Soda

COOL HAND LUKE

Partida Reposado Tequila, Thai Chili Guava, Lime, Agave

HIGH TIDE

Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, Passionfruit, Grapefruit, Bubbles

SAVORY

TONGUE TANGO

Green Pepper Infused Herradura Tequila, Lime, Cilantro Simple

QUEEN’S CUP

Plymouth Gin, Pimms, Orange Pekoe Tea Simple, Lemon, Mint

TINH TE

Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Luxardo Maraschino, 5 Spice Syrup, Lime, Egg White, Apricot, Orange Bitters

AROMATIC

WILL YOU DAIQUIRI ME?

Strawberry-Kiwi Infused Diplomatico Anejo Rum, Lime, Sugar

BEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

Beet Infused Beefeater Gin, Domaine de Canton Ginger, Honey-Tarragon Syrup, Lemon

ASIAN GARDEN

St. Germain, Cucumber, Lime, Shiso, Bubbles

BOLD

SMOKING MAGUEY

Partido Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Lime, Agave, Smoked Paprika

YOU SAY BANANA, I SAY BATAVIA

Diplomatico Reserva Rum, Batavia Arack, Orange, Vanilla Simple, Sweet Banana

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Duck Fat Infused Knob Creek Bourbon, Cynar, Apricot, Lemon, Clove