I stopped by 30 different places last week and asked them what drinks their customers like best. Most of them told me it was hard to pick just one, but I insisted. This is what they had to say…
Opal Nightclub: Jalisco Heat. It’s Don Julio Silver, muddled cucumbers and jalapeños, fresh lime, and simple syrup.
Tied House: Tied House brand Alpine Gold. It won a bronze medal at Great American Beer Festival last year. That’s the Olympics-of-Beer and there are thousands of entries.
Eureka: Holy Smokes. It’s Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Cherry Liqueur, and Chocolate bitters with real smoke added before the lid goes on. I can vouch for this one.
Agave Mexican Bistro: Guava Jalapeno Mojito.
Red Rock Coffee: Honey Lavender Latte. Obviously, the regular coffee and espresso drinks are fabulous, but that Honey Lavender Latte is new and you should try it.
Stephens Green: The best Guinness anywhere. “Poured the proper way, in the proper glass, at an Irish owned and operated pub.” That’s what he told me and I felt embarrassed for even asking the question.
Xanh: Lychee Kiss Martini. House infused sake vodka, lychee liqueur and fresh lychee.
Bierhaus: Stiege Pils from Salzburg, Austria. After a lot of discussion and several important people weighing in on the conversation, that’s what was decided.
Michael’s at Shoreline: Pearl Jam. It includes 3 Pearl Vodkas and, if at all possible, it should be made by Lenny, since he invented it.
Paul Martins: Champagne Lemonade. Champagne infused in house with local Meyer lemons and basil.
Pacific Catch: Spicy Pacific. Vodka, lime, passion fruit and Serrano pepper.
Cascal: Their house-made Sangria has a cult following, but you also need to order their Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. I had one because the bartender described it so beautifully. It might be my second favorite drink ever! First place still belongs to the Holy Smokes at Eureka.
Tea Era: Roasted Barley Milk Tea.
Peet’s Coffee: Black Tie. It’s sweetened condensed milk, cold brewed iced coffee, chicory infused simple syrup, and a float of half & half.
Verde Tea, either location: Taro Milk Tea, #114 on the menu. It’s a favorite with the weekend crowd.
Sakoon: Kama Sutra. Cranberry vodka and X Rated. That’s what they said…
Scratch: Firefly: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, lime, lavender syrup, and fresh blackberries.
Steins Beer Garden: Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen. It's a German Wheat Beer from the oldest operating brewery in the world.
Rumble Fish: Pineapple Soju.
Ristorante Don Giovanni: Ruffino Chiante Ducale.
Tapioca Express: Avocado Snow Milk Pearl Tea.
Fiesta Del Mar Too: Casadores Agave Margarita, I was told this from from a very reliable source.
Dana Street Roasting: House made Chai, with fresh ginger and local honey. Order early in the day… it sells out often.
La Fontaine: Basil Lemon Drop.
Bushido: Elderflower Sour.
Panotiq: Cold Brewed coffee. They swear it’s amazing.
Ephesus: Sweetened Turkish coffee.
Olympus Caffe: Turkish tea.
They aren't listed in any specific order, but all of them are worth the time and effort. When I look back over this list, I feel so grateful to live in such an amazingly diverse and interesting community. Food and drinks from every corner of the world and spectacular weather all year round. I love Mountain View.
