Cheers

Cheers

The Beverage Business Magazine for Full-Service Restaurants and Bars

  • Beverage Trends
    • Beer
    • Wine
    • Spirits
    • Wine Reviews
    • Marketing
    • Operations
  • Recipes
    • What I’m Drinking Now
    • Submit a Drink Recipe
  • Resources
    • eRNDC Login
    • SG Proof Login
    • CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees
  • Events & Awards
    • Cheers Beverage Summit
    • Growth Brands
    • BevX Awards
    • Supplier Awards
  • Podcasts
  • E-News
    • E-News Subscribe
  • Digital Issues
  • Cheers@Home

Q&A with Kris Rizzato, Bar Manager at Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant

07/08/2015

by: The Staff

In preparing for our Summer Drinks Feature (coming soon), we talked with Kris Rizzato, bar manager at Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant in San Diego:

BankersHill_Kris Rizzato

Kris Rizzato, bar manager at Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant in San Diego.

What makes a great summer cocktail—popular flavors, drink styles, spirits?

A great summer cocktail can be made with rum or gin. The goal is to create a beverage that is light, citrusy, effervescent and refreshing. You will see drink menus shift that way in the hot months to come.

What drinks are customers drawn to this time of year?

Everyone is different: Sometimes customers want a Manhattan, sometimes they want a Grapefruit Collins. But if there’s anything that attracts people, it’s a cocktail with crushed ice.

What are some of the signature cocktails on your menu this season; what was the inspiration for developing/offering them?

Advertisement

At Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant, we have a classic Painkiller and a Jet Pilot on the menu at the moment. They are classic Tiki cocktails that are popular in the summer months. The Painkiller features a house blend of dark and light rums, coconut cream, with fresh pineapple and orange juice. It’s served in a snifter of crushed ice with grated nutmeg on top.

The Jet Pilot is the exact opposite in flavor. It is made with a house blend of rums complemented with a hint of Angostura bitters and St. George absinthe, a house-made falernum syrup with fresh lime and grapefruit juice. It is served in a snifter with crushed ice as well.

Any tips for creating summer cocktails, unique garnishes, mixers or food/snack pairings?

I recommend sticking with what is in season. Go to a farmers market and pick some stuff out and play with it. Don’t spend too much time with the garnish. Keep it simple and manageable.

What is your own favorite cocktail in the summer and why?

To me, nothing beats a delicious Barr Hill gin and Fever-Tree tonic. It’s made with only raw honey and juniper in Vermont. Keep an eye out for it. It might change your life.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Bankers Hill Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant San Diego Bankers Hill Bar and Restaurant bar Bartender interview Kris Rizzato Kris Rizzato cheers Q&A bartender Q&A Kriz Rizzato Restaurant in San Diego san diego San Diego Bar

Last modified: 07/08/2015

Previous Story:
Booze Books for the Beach
Next Story:
Bacardi Buys Again, Acquires Leblon

About the Author: The Staff

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Follow Us

Facebook
Twitter

In The News

  • Lagunitas Debuts First Global Packaging Redesign
  • Palma Presents Italian Garden Brunch Series
  • Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2022 Spirited Award Winners
  • Podcast: Beverage Week 2022 Recap
  • TTB Proposes Official Definition of American Single Malt
  • Procera Gin Expands Portfolio with Red and Green Dot
More News >>

Featured Drink

  • Rainmaker
    Rainmaker cocktail

Drink Recipes

  • Rum Day Drink Roundup for 2022
  • Rainmaker
  • Cheers to a Choco Taco-inspired Martini
  • Tiki Highball
  • 7 Special Spritz Day Drinks

Current Issue

Cheers Current Issue

Cheers Magazine

  • About Cheers
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Market Research

Events & Awards

  • Beverage Excellence Awards
  • Cheers Beverage Summit
  • Growth Brands Awards

Magazines

  • Cheers
  • Beverage Dynamics
  • StateWays
  • Beverage Wholesaler
  • Beverage Handbooks (research)

E-Newsletters

  • Better Bartending
  • Cheers
  • Beverage Dynamics
  • StateWays
  • Beverage Wholesaler
  • Beverage Universe
  • Cannabis Regulator
  • About EPG Brand Acceleration
  • Send File
  • Privacy Policy
© Cheers Magazine. All rights reserved.