By the looks of that thick layer of pollen on your throat, your car, your home and even your scruffy pooch, spring has definitely sprung. With the arrival my favorite drinking season (I have four altogether), I rounded up a few new items, events and places to celebrate with.
FARM TO BOTTLE
SweetWater, one of Atlanta’s well-known breweries, is throwing a big, fun carbon-neutral party this weekend (April 17 and 18) in Candler Park. The beer-filled event, which attracts nearly 20,000 visitors per day, is a platform for nonprofits and environmental organizations to share their products and “going green” strategies, with exhibitions, workshops and creative interactive events taking place in the Planet 420 tent throughout the weekend. Of course, there’s a ton of music, too. You can learn more about that aspect at www.sweetwater420fest.com.
DOGGIE STYLE
Man’s best friend has somewhere to hang out while you get your drink on with the opening of Thirsty Dog Tavern. The new restaurant, which opened March 25, is housed in the old Vita space. The extensive menu at Thirsty Dog Tavern features an Italian twist on upscale pub favorites. Prices range from $4 to $16, and 90 percent of the menu options are under $10. Thirsty Dog is both child- and canine-friendly, and features a menu for each set. The lower patio offers a space for puppy prancing and dining. The drinking fun contines with two beer pong tables, 15 big-screen TVs tuned into a variety of sports games, and a separate smoking bar and dining area (which we really hope stays separate). Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Lot parking. 2110 Peachtree Road NW. 404-367-8482. www.thirstydogtavern.com.
ON THE MENU
I’ve just spotted the new spring cocktail menus at two great watering holes: JCT Kitchen & Bar and Diesel Filling Station.
Mixologist Lara Creasy at JCT (1198 Howell Mill Road, 404-355-2252, www.jctkitchen.com) has created a few new masterpieces for spring sipping. The JCTea combines iced tea–infused gin, Grand Marnier, lemon and Fee Brothers orange bitters, served up, $10. For a clean feeling, try Leaves of Grass: Bison Grass Vodka, Dolin Blanc, lemongrass syrup and fresh tarragon, served up, $11. Get your Kentucky on with the Westside Smash, a simple but terrific beverage of Elijah Craig 12-year old bourbon, Meyer lemons and mint, on crushed ice, $9. Creasy takes rhubarb to a new level with Crimson and Clover, a blend of rhubarb puree, gin, lemon, tonic water and candied rhubarb, served tall and on the rocks, $10. I’m probably most excited about the Strawberry Alarm Clock, which speaks to several of my favorite flavors with fresh strawberries, lime, cachaca, brown sugar and Balsamic syrup, served on the rocks, $10. For the grown-ups who loved Applejacks as a kid, try Ginger Jack Rose, a sophisticated gentlemen’s drink of Laird’s Applejack, housemade grenadine, lemon and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, served up, $10.
Inspired by the Virginia Highland filling station that once stood in its place, Diesel Filling Station (870 N. Highland Ave., 404-815-1820, www.dieselatlanta.com) is a neighborhood destination that is equal parts pub, restaurant and late night hangout. In addition to a 50-plus beer menu featuring craft and high-gravity beers, Diesel just rolled out its new spring cocktail lineup, including the Motor Oil Martini (Level Vodka, raspberry liqueur, blue Curacao, $8), Jalapeno Margarita (a little spice with a lotta Jose Cuervo, $7), Cherry Cosmo (cherry vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice and sour mix, $8), Pink Lemonade (so decidedly Southern with Absolut Citron and Diesel’s secret mix, $6), Peach Drop (shot of sweet tea vodka and peach schnapps dropped into a glass of lemonade, $6) and shots: Rope Candy (vanilla vodka, Frangelico, raspberry liqueur, orange juice and cranberry, $7) and Sugar Daddy (Catdaddy Moonshine Kamikaze, $6).
