The Green Seasonal Bar

Posted on April 30, 2008
Filed Under Anita & Cameron Crotty | Leave a Comment

This is the first post from Anita & Cameron Crotty, co-authors of Married …with Dinner, a San Francisco-based food and cocktails blog.

With all the hoopla surrounding Earth Day last week, it’s hard to have missed the news: “Green” cocktails are all the rage, with an ever-growing roster of sustainable spirits available for mixing. Coupled with an increasing interest in seasonal and/or organic fruits, herbs, and tinctures, the green cocktail movement is making new inroads, even outside of its Northern California home. Behind the scenes, too, a cadre of environmentally sensitive bar owners are embracing a more-sustainable approach to doing business, mindful of the impact their establishments make on natural resources.

Perhaps there’s no better embodiment of these ideas than H. Joseph Ehrmann, proprietor of San Francisco’s Elixir. As founder of the Green & Tonic sustainable bars program, H practices what he preaches: There’s always at least one all-organic cocktail on his menu, and he operates the first watering hole certified as a green business by the City of San Francisco. Bar owners and bartenders interested in “greening” their own cocktail operations can learn from H himself, at a Saturday lunchtime session called The Green Seasonal Bar.

The session will also cover the more delectable aspects of the green cocktail movement, courtesy of panelist Bridget Albert. Winner of last year’s Tales Bar Chef Competition and the author of the forthcoming Market-Fresh Mixology, Bridget will guide participants through a bevy of sensational seasonal drinks.

Rounding out the green trio will be Allen Katz, host of “The Cocktail Hour” on Martha Stewart’s Sirius satellite radio channel. As you might expect from a man who combines an abiding love of cocktails with some serious sustainable-food credentials — he’s also chairman of the board of Slow Food USA — Allen will discuss ways that spirits companies can improve the diversity and sustainability of their agricultural and manufacturing processes.

With these three experts leading a lively discussion covering all the bases — and co-sponsorship by Slow Food USA and some of the top names in sustainable spirits: 4 Copas tequila, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and Square One vodka — this session is sure to offer something for every Tales participant.

“The Green Seasonal Bar” takes place Saturday, July 19, at 12:30 pm at the Hotel Monteleone; click here for tickets.