Now that cooler weather is upon us, it’s time for stiffer drinks. To coincide with its recent redesign, The Nolen, the rooftop bar at the Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp, debuted a new cocktail menu, including a limited-edition libation for the holiday season that has a flavor reminiscent of campfires, cozy nights, and the ooey-gooey goodness of melted marshmallow s’mores.
The Scout’s Honor has graham-cracker-washed Jack Daniel’s, toasted marshmallow syrup that’s made in house, and Woodford barrel-aged chocolate bitters served on the rocks and topped with a chocolate-dipped toasted marshmallow. Bryan Cajamarca, a bartender at The Nolen and creator of the drink, uses a Spinzall—a pricey culinary centrifuge—to infuse the whiskey with graham crackers and separate the lipids. He says The Nolen and George’s at the Cove are the only bars in San Diego using the fancy machine (it’s about $800 if you want your own), and takes what would be a two-day infusion process down to about 30 minutes. Cajamarca grew up in Detroit, and says he was looking to make a cocktail that “tasted like home.”
The drink isn’t overly sweet, but manages to capture the essential flavors of a s’more in liquid form. And it probably has way less calories than the actual dessert, which we can get behind. Cheers!
453 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter thenolenrooftop
Scout’s Honor at The Nolen
