SF Cocktail Week

Mark your calendars for the week of May 11-16 for San Francisco’s Cocktail Week. Events start Monday, May 11 with opening festivities at Le Colonial and end Saturday with a closing party at Jardiniere. One of the many awesome events that caught my eye: a series of mixology classes on a variety of subjects including Distillation 101 and Understand Latin American Spirits. I already have a ticket to the House-made Ingredients class taught by Jeff Hollinger of Absinthe. Check out the full class schedule here.

A few other interesting events to check out:

UNITED STATES BARTENDERS’ GUILD NATIONAL COMPETITION

Tuesday, MAY 12, 2009

San Francisco Local Competition starts at 11:00 am

National Competition starts at 5:00 pm

Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, at the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

450 Powell Street @ Sutter

Admission is free, but all attendees must be 21 or over.

Come cheer on USBG bartender favorites from across the United States as they battle for the coveted National Champion Title. The San Francisco Local Competition starts at 11 am, and the winner will then compete in a National Competition, which begins at 5 pm.

CANE-BASED SPIRITS AND FARMERS’ MARKET COCKTAILS

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

$30.00 per person

CUESA Kitchen at the San Francisco Ferry Building

The non-profit operator of the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market, the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA), and San Francisco Cocktail Week will host an evening of Farmers’ market inspired cocktails at the CUESA kitchen in front of the San Francisco Ferry Building. During the evening, guests will sample cane-based cocktails created by renowned Bay Area bartenders using the freshest of farmers’ market ingredients, as well as passed appetizers prepared by some of the Bay Area’s top Chef’s. Cost per entry includes tastes of all demonstrated cocktails, two signature drinks and appetizers.

BAY TO BREAKERS

Sunday Evening,

May 17, 2009 Early until as late as you can handle

Join Erik Ellestad and Daniel Hayatt as they host ”Stomping Through The Savoy,” at The Alembic on Haight Street. The Alembic will do away with their regular cocktail menu and replace it with The Savoy Cocktail Book, written by Harry Craddock, 1930. Always wanted to try the original recipe of the Damn-The-Weather Cocktail? Or how about a properly made Apparent Cocktail? Well, here is your chance. Eric will be on hand from 6 pm until late making cocktails and providing recommendations.Admission is free, but there will be a charge for cocktails.

For a full list of events and to buy tickets, go to the official site.