Boozy Woos: How To Romance an LA Woman Bartender

— by Caroline on Crack

LA woman bartender Lacey Murrillo by Caroline on Crack

Wanna know how to win this LA woman bartender's heart?

An LA woman bartender has heard every pick-up line and has seen every flirtatious move in her bar. So it’s no wonder it can be a little intimidating to try and romance her. But I asked some of our gorgeous lady bartenders in Los Angeles what’s the best way to woo them and consequently, every woman boozewise. Turns out that basically they (we) want a man with no pretensions. It’s as simple as that. Read on for their answers, including some cocktail recipes that you can make for your special someone this Valentine’s Day.

Danielle Crouch of Cana Rum Bar: I am smitten by a roaring fire, good whiskey, and a man who always toasts before the first sip.

Kiowa Bryan of The Eveleigh: While the movie wasn’t great, the scene in Crazy, Stupid, Love where Ryan Gosling busted out correctly made Old Fashioneds* from his home bar was the hottest thing I could possibly imagine…..if you’re not that crafty, busting out a bottle of Fernet would do the trick.

Kylee Van Dillen of Westside Tavern: The most romantic drink I can think of is a boy buying me a scotch old enough to drink itself.

Lacey Murillo of 1886 and Black Market Liquor Bar: A guy impresses me through his confidence and adaptability  — especially in this industry. If a guy can hold his own at an industry event like Boxing Day at the Spare Room and also hang with my hectic schedule and family. I’m a lot more than impressed. I’m a sucker for sipping on a nice scotch or rye too…I take it neat please.

Lindsay Nader of Harvard & Stone and Pour Vous: Boozewise there isn’t much a guy can do except not be a know-it-all douchebag when ordering a drink or drinking a drink. Otherwise, the element of surprise mixed with humor always gets me. Like little notes left on my car or around my house telling me how amazing my butt is, etc.

Naomi Schimek of Spare Room: I must say, to me, two Miller High Lifes and two good sized slugs of Rittenhouse Rye with Tom Waits playing on the jukebox is just about the most romantic damn thing I’ve ever seen.

Zahra Bates of Providence: I know we bar ladies tend to order spirits neat, not because we are hard-core but rather because we don’t care for pretension. I may flirt with a cocktail or two throughout the evening but the drink that takes me home is a shot of the straight stuff. I love to have a drink that is pure, unadulterated and unabashedly itself and that is what I want from my fella.

_* The Varnish’s Eric Alperin actually taught Ryan Gosling how to make a couple of cocktails for the movie!_

Hit the jump for boozy woos (cocktail recipes) with which to seduce your Valentine.

The Birds & The Bees
By Lindsay Nader

  • 1.5 oz Blanco Tequila
  • 1 oz Strong brewed Hibiscus tea (chill before mixing into cocktail) (Suggest using Republic of Tea Hibiscus Superflower Tea, all natural, caffeine-free)
  • 0.75 oz Lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz  Yellow Chartreuse
  • 0.5 oz  Agave syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an edible orchid.

Cansei De Ser Sexy
by Lindsay Nader

  • 1.5 oz Hendrick’s Gin
  • 0.75 oz Rose syrup *recipe below
  • 0.5 oz Plymouth Sloe Gin
  • 0.5 oz Lemon juice
  • 1 barspoon Gran Classico Bitter

Shake, strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a spritz of rose water and a rose petal.

  • Rose syrup

    • In a saucepan combine 2 cups sugar with 2 cups water, stir over heat until uniform
    • Stir in 2 tablespoons of rose water, or as much to fit your taste (Available at Whole Foods, spice stored or specialty stores)

Barmaid Rumbullion
by Lacey Murillo

[The cocktail I came up with at Black Market is] something for the ladies — something strong, stirred, a rich deep sweetness from booze, and a hint of chocolate. I named it “Barmaid Rumbullion.” Rumbullion means “a great tumult or uproar,” and is said to be where rum got its name. Also a little mix of Fighting Cock and rum can get any barmaid in the spirit of Valentines Day (for or against it!).

  • 1 oz Fighting Cock Bourbon ( I figured why the hell not 103 Proof and all)
  • 1oz Dos Maderas PX 5×5 Rum (A Caribbean rum shipped to Spain and aged in Pedro Jimenez Sherry Casks)
  • 0.25 oz Demerera syrup
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Stir with a large rock in an old fashion glass. Express the oils of one lemon peel and enjoy.