Infusious Say...

The web link doesn't quite work yet, but check out my article on bars that do interesting infusions in this week's Bay Guardian. I mention Voda, Millennium, and Colibri Mexican Bistro downtown, Madrone Lounge in the Western Addition, Hobson's Choice in the Upper Haight, and Magnet in North Beach. I had a hard time deciding between the many places that offer only a few original infusions. I originally listed Bong Su because of their earl grey tea-infused rum and basil-infused gin cocktails, but decided that a restaurant that is too hard to get into isn't one I should recommend when I only have seven on the whole list. I also didn't list any place infusing sake, because I couldn't find anywhere doing more than just one or two flavors. Ponzu does a lychee-infused sake and an apricot-infused sake that sound fun, but I decided to go with other places. I also didn't get a chance to check out John Collins' pepper-infused tequila that sounds lovely. I may try that one at home. Any other places with secret infusions you recommend? They are so common here in San Francisco that many bars no longer give the infusion bottles the shelf space they once did. Now some venues (like Voda) infuse them in the back and keep them in standard pouring bottles on the shelf when they're done. On the other hand, if you've ever infused strawberries into anything, you know that not all infusions make good displays. Those look like a glass of eyeballs and are better for a Halloween scare display than one at the cocktail lounge.