FindEatDrink: Mixologist's Recs

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Edition: 24 September, 2010

To become a master sommelier, it takes a keen sense of taste, an abundance of passion, and a bit of wine geekiness. Fred Dexheimer is one of only 106 to be certified in North America. He honed his wine knowledge at top tier restaurants in New York, like Gramercy Tavern, Jean Georges, and BLT.

Now, he's branching out into the art of the cocktail and the craft of beer. His company, Juiceman Consulting, advises restaurants, hotels, and corporate clients on wine, beer, and cocktails.

We asked the sommelier/mixologist to share his five latest interesting finds:

BAR

What: THE VIOLET HOUR

Where: 1520 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622 T: 773.252.1500, view map

Why: "These guys are top notch. They have incredible cocktails, serious bartenders, and a beautiful room."

BEER

What: BIRRA DEL BORGO

Where: buy online

Why: "It's from Italy and they are doing crazy stuff using tapioca and all different grains, different spices, and they're virtually rewriting the book."

BURGER

What: HOLEMAN AND FINCH

Where: 2277 Peachtree Road, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30309 T: 404.948.1175, view map

Why: "Every night at ten o'clock they offer 24 burgers. It's a rockin' burger, but you have to get there early to reserve it, since it sells out. They also have a great wine, beer, and cocktail program."

BITTERS

What: FEE BROTHERS BITTERS

Where: buy online

Why: "It's versatile and I just love the fruity character. With brown spirits, I use the peach. With white, the rhubarb."

BOOK

What: DIFFORDS GUIDE

Where: buy online

Why: "It's indexed and cross-referenced by spirit, cocktail, rating of cocktail, and includes pictures of every single cocktail."

Recipe...

Use Fee Brothers Bitters in Fred's "Simply Beautiful" gin cocktail.

Learn More...

Q & A with Fred Dexheimer - check out more beer picks and his favorite cocktail bars in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Seattle.